PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY. IT INCLUDES RULES AND POLICIES WHICH
WILL GUIDE OPERATION OF THE LIST

My name is Thurmond Moore III and I am the list operator. You may contact me directly at redmud@caprock-spur.com . I am a member of the AFMS and SCFMS through the Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society based in Lubbock, Texas. I am also a member of the USFG, the International Gem Society and The Texas Faceters Guild.

This list was begun as a replacement for Hale Sweeny's Lapidary Digest which has ceased distribution. Hale has taken down his site but given me permission to replicate the original Lapidary Digest site. It can be found at http://www.gemcutters.org and will remain there as an archived site. It is a valuable resource for all interested in lapidary skills.

This Lapidary Arts and Faceting List will focus on the lapidary arts, faceting, jewelry, equipment, rockhounding, prospecting, materials, etc. of any nature from A to Z . I am fairly new to the lapidary field and consequently many topics covered on this list may be old hat for the experienced lapidary. We need that experience and knowledge to learn and keep the art alive for many more generations so if you are a seasoned lapidary please share your experience with us. If you have not yet cut a stone and need instruction you can get answers here.

If the cutting of faceted gems is your interest, You have come to the right place. Faceting is spoken here by over 1100 persons. Jewelry interests are also well covered in both the newsgroup: rec.crafts.jewelry and the Orchid mailing list.

The list will usually be sent once or twice a week, and only in digest form. Occasionally I will be away for a week or more and the list will not be sent during this time. The list is usually not produced on Holidays.

The rules for the list are simple but firm:

1. Stay on topic. -- only lapidary arts and related topics. I know it may be hard sometimes to know whether your topic has strayed too far from the object of the list, but try to stay as close to the list objectives as possible.

2. ABSOLUTELY NO FLAMES - Flaming or overly argumentative or abusive material is inappropriate, and will not be posted or may be cause for the list owner to restrict or drop the subscriptions of those who abuse the list.

3. Respect other list members by restricting your language and watching your manners. There could be youngsters on the list and we must respect others' right not to hear profanity. Likewise, we will follow common Netiquette rules.

4. The software only handles ASCII text. (at this time) DO NOT sent attachments, photos, HTML formatted posts, or graphic files, or any material needing translating.

To change your e-mail address, send an e-mail to lapidary-request@caprock-spur.com with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the 1st line of the body of the message. When you receive an approval that your unsubscription was successful re-subscribe with your new address by sending another e-mail to lapidary-request@caprock-spur.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the 1st line of the body of the message. An approval message will follow indicating your successful subscription.

You may send me a note at redmud@caprock-spur.com including your name, and your OLD and your NEW e-mail addresses in the body of the message, and I will change it manually.

When the server receives a message with any of several words in the body of the message, it treats the message as a command message. For this reason, never use one of these words: SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, HELP, DIR, or GET in the subject of a message intended for publication in the Digest. All request should be sent to the address lapidary-request@caprock-spur.com .

Request to all other addresses will generate an error message but will be handled manually although usually handling will be delayed.

Posting Guidelines:

When originating a new topic (or thread), please put 'NEW:' on the subject line of your message, followed by the subject. Try to keep the subject short but relevant to the topic of the post.

If you are responding to a prior message, please put 'RE:' as the first word on the subject line, followed by the subject, written exactly as it was in the message referred to.

Use 'BIO:' and your name if you are writing about yourself.

Use FS (for sale) or WTB (want to buy) if your post is about items for sale of items wanted.

When sending in an item for the Digest, DO NOT USE THE REPLY KEY on your mail client, but start a new letter. To include a copy of just one original letter or a relevant part of a letter in a reply, use cut-and-paste to do this, and make sure to
address your response to: lapidary@caprock-spur.com .

Only members may have messages published on the list. Messages from all others are automatically excluded. Also, you MUST send all messages from the same address used when you subscribed, or the message will be automatically rejected. All messages are moderated and require approval before they are posted.

When a submission is send to the Digest, you automatically agree that permission is given to allow the use of that submission outside the list for non-commercial purposes. Anyone wanting to use it for commercial purposes must get copyright release from the author of the message.

Thus, blanket permission is given to Gem and Mineral Clubs and to Lapidary and Mineral Federations to reprint items from the Digest and from the Archives in their Newsletters or publications, given that all authors and the Digest are cited as the source. By subscribing to the Lapidary Arts Digest, you agree to allow the Lapidary Arts Digest Owner to archive your posts permanently in the archives without compensation.

Although submissions will be edited for spelling and grammar, please run your submission through a spell-checker before sending it. In editing, I will not change (intentionally) the content of the message.

Swapping/selling/buying are encouraged, but don't send a big list. If you have a long list, just send a message to the group that you have such a list, and they can e-mail you for a copy. You are greatly encouraged to use my FREE Lapidary classified pages at: http://www.gemcutters.org/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi

Dealers and commercial entities are encouraged to participate--we can learn a lot from you, and that's what this is all about.

Signature messages are restricted to five lines.

Newcomers to the list are requested to send in a short BIO-- tell us who you are, what your Lapidary interests are, how long you've been doing lapidary, what kind of equipment you have, and so on. Use the word 'BIO:', followed by your name, on the subject line.

If you have any suggestions for improving the list, please send them to me at redmud@caprock-spur.com.

This list is managed using software named Mailsite LE. If you subscribe as described above, you will get a copy of this letter from the List Software, you may wish to keep that copy filed away. Copies can also be obtained from the subscription page maintained at the address

http://www.gemcutters.org/subscribe.htm

Let's all have fun!!!

Thurmond

Thurmond Moore III
redmud@caprock-spur.com
Spur, TX
revised 02/04/2005