How to facet tiny gems.

[@lucycabana9970]

So glad you addressed this. I've been wanting to see the faceting of a smaller stone and you've provided plenty of reasons why it is different. Thanks!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Lucy.

[@zorro-xk9gh]

thank you so much ,good good professor .it's easy to understand the price when you must work 5 hours on a so little stones with all the knowledge you must have to get a good and pretty final stone . it is more than work , you are a real artist .

[@Plentisaki]

Wonderful! I love Garnet as a gemstone. Watching this does make me wonder how the Hell the jewellers back in Anglo Saxon times managed to facet and work the stones, and create the wonderful items they did. The Staffordshire Hoard and the Sutton Hoo burial finds amaze me.

[@andreameigs1261]

I imagine they used something like a potter's kick wheel altered for gem cutting. I've seen a few comments like this, and I have used a kick wheel for pottery, so I may be biased, but it seems possible.

[@TroyCottonJr]

I don’t know how I stumbled across this video, watched the whole thing. Clearly a labor of love. Interesting to see this process

[@VintageTimeGems]

I hope you enjoyed the video Troy. Who know some day you may be cutting gem yourself. Cheers

[@TroyCottonJr]

@@VintageTimeGems I did enjoy it, so thanks! maybe I will someday

[@sylmen1111]

Me too a year later.

[@allyb1651]

How absolutely beautiful to watch. I just started collecting rocks and tumbling a few, and now a lot of crystal and gem videos are coming to me. This is lovely.

[@spidersinspace1099]

Cliff, your videos and narration are a blessing from down under. Thanks

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you Spidersinspace...Take care mate.

[@michaelbates9700]

I just re evaluated my confidence in purchasing my first machine! 🎉❤🎉

[@johntaylor7644]

I have been faceting for many years and it is enjoyable to watch your challenges and approaches. Thanks for the videos.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks John....Take care

[@TIG2MAN0]

I'm working on beginner cutting opal. Its always great seeing people doing cool things.

[@SonneCreations]

Excellent tutorial, thank you for sharing this. Small rough is about all I have access to currently. A gemstone faceting friend of mine gave me a ziplock freezer bag of off cuts, small rough, included and fractured rough that he wouldn’t bother with, but I figure there is a small gemstone hiding in each piece of rough. I am just starting my gemstone faceting journey and so videos such as yours are absolutely invaluable. As a content creator myself for sterling silver jewelry I know how important content that encourages artists is. I really appreciate your technique with the smaller gemstones. ❤

[@KayJ47]

Second time watching this vid. Been having problems with keeping stones on the dop, and the same after transferring. Gone back to basics. You have refreshed my ideas. Thanks

[@wayne1959]

Thankyou for this..I am one week into owning a faceting machine and wouldn't you know it , our gem club is closed for corona break..Im left with miles of spare time so youtube is my tutor and guys like yourself have helped me get started..

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yep, the virus has shut down all clubs. It a real pain. Cheers

[@CanadianKobolds]

Great video! I am just getting into the Rockhounding hobby and eventually want to start making my own jewelry out of things that I've found.

[@tennpikr74]

An excellent video cliff, so many tips and good advice, new faceters are very lucky to have videos like this available nowdays.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Brent. The hardest part about faceting really tiny gems is trying to keep them on the dop. Cheers

[@valeriep.8364]

I had no idea how how this was done! The term 'cut' had given me the wrong idea all my life snd I'm 68! How did they do it in the days before our modern tools? Wow. I'm impressed.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Valerie, grinding stone wheels have been around for hundreds of years. There was less accuracy, but gems were still faceted.

[@benjamindejonge3624]

Old family members had a hand crank driven wheels working in the attic till steam driven diamond fabrics took away the small artificial independent man, nice cut by the way

[@brucedymock6635]

Thanks Cliff I learnt a lot small gems have scared me but you make it relatively straight forward

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Bruce, small gems are usually easier to facet. Less polishing time.

[@Chiberia]

protip - if you don't want to buy expensive CA glue accelerator, baking soda and distilled water work extremely well. the water, itself, is an accelerator - so don't just toss baking soda on your gem. also, keep your glue in the fridge in a ziplock bag (bonus points if you through a couple moisture-absorption packs from other packaging) and it will last a lot longer and not seize up on you in the bottle. take it out of the fridge about 30min before you need to use it.

[@marcosofsky2605]

Thank you for your instructional videos-as a novice I have made some rash purchases online-I am disabled and have little choice-and often because of budget constraints must buy smaller gemstones to assure authenticity and still I must sort through these lots and that is part of the bargain. I just acquired an inexpensive Vevor faceting machine to learn on as it was all I coulkd afford without saving up for months. I figure if I can cut and polish high quality gemstones with what equipment I have now-by that I can afford a better machine and really enjoy the craft that much more. Thanks again for the video on tiny gemstones-they are a bit difficult but not impossible and another fun challenge for me.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks...You should have many fun years cutting gems ahead of you.

[@christoskes]

This time you give so many answers. Thank you very much Cliff. Absolutely love the garnet.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Chris......

[@Hucklenaut]

Beautiful gem Cliff. Very useful for me as I pick most of my faceting material out of anthills in Wyoming, USA.

[@G3Ellis]

This is a good skill to pick up. To date, my smallest stone are around 2 mm, less than .1 carets. The 'good skill to know' comes in when you find your own material. I have 2 emeralds now that I found at Crabtree Emerald Mine in Little Switzerland, NC, USA. It is uniquely satisfying when go from found to faceted all by yourself. I have 3 tier dops that are around 1.5mm at the tip. With the emeralds, I cut to the crystal shape. My larger one is a hexagon to maximize yield.

[@suechapman9191]

Only just found you! Awesome tuition, thank you. I'm brand new to faceting and you ave given me the confidence to give it a go.

[@prospectvic]

Thanks Cliff, as newbie who is still waiting for some parts to my machine, I had put aside all my tiny gems thinking I could never do them.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Prospect Vic, It's always good to keep the small gems. Cheers Cliff

[@trippingonrocks1165]

So beautiful, I love all the details and steps this takes, each gem shows the love attention you give it. Enjoyed this video alot thank you.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@melross2884]

We just came back from Glen innes with some lovely little sapphires we found. We are now going to join the local lapidary club

[@YDVDL]

Master class 👏!!!!! BRAVO!!!!! Your video is great inspiration!!!! Every time I watch you are making magic with stones. Unbelievably amazing!!!! My greetings from state of NY , USA.

[@stefaniaponitz5738]

Fantastic insightful video. Really gives me a better understanding about varying aspects of faceting and the difference with tiny stones. Thanks!

[@hokkaidoutaima]

Wonderful video, I've been daydreaming about faceting one of these garnets for the past few years. It was love at first sight when I started finding them at my gold mining claim in Finland, but I kept thinking I had to find a larger one to be able to facet it. Thanks for showing that even a modestly sized one can turn out great!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks....No reason why the garnets you find can't be faceted. Little gems don't take long to facet.

[@jaysoncasta287]

Thank you, just purchased 80 ct of Colombian raw emerald, working on building my table and start cutting. I choose to buy the jamb style machine arm.

[@drapedindiamonds3337]

Beautiful! It just glows from within…😍

[@adyamski]

Just wish i had the equipment and knowledge to do this Brilliant video thanks

[@smokeyandspikeproductions]

Amazingly precise to the finest detail and perfection!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Vincent.

[@legendaryoutcast4440]

Your videos are so relaxing. the results are always amazing :)

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Brian.

[@jimbuxton2187]

You are totally amazing! I'm floored. Brilliant work! WOW!

[@susannesamuelsson2930]

It´s so fascinating to see you work and the end result was so beautiful! Thank you Cliff for sharing it with us here on YT! Hugs, Susanne

[@VintageTimeGems]

My pleasure!

[@rufusbayne2230]

I'm glad you chose rhodolite for this video. It's one of my favorites and is found close to my home in North Carolina.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Rufus...Your lucky rhodolite to have garnets close by. Australian garnets are too dark for my liking.as they the almost black Pyrope's.

[@scott27288]

Great job Cliff. Another beautiful gemstone. Thanks for sharing. See ya in the next one.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Scott...Cheers Cliff

[@rickcoona8368]

Another lovely success! i had some luck cutting a few gems using only buiseness card sized diamond sharpeners medium, fine, X-fine and 2X-fine which gave me a fairly well cut stone just one of those "I wonder if this would work" experiments

[@VintageTimeGems]

Sounds great!

[@cleatishoskins6429]

Beautiful! First time watching, very impressive, admire this skill. Thank you for the information given so beautifully!

[@johncrumpley8702]

Very nice video, Cliff. I liked your constant reference to very light pressure. I'm guilty of losing patience at times and want to put "just a little" extra pressure on the quill... Often leading to disaster. Thanks much for taking the time to make the video.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks John....They most difficult aspect about faceting tiny gems is trying to keep them on the dop.

[@fishmut]

I love prospecting and finding my own gems , now I just got to get a faceting machine , probably a very cheap one to start with , awesome video .

[@dezmodium]

If you don't have an accelerator a mist of just plain water will also cause it to set faster. It seems counter intuitive but super glue doesn't react to water like a lot of other substances.

[@ManuelGarcia-ww7gj]

Well, I must say, you took a tiny rock and turned into a great big job. Congratulations.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks

[@katherinedoughty839]

That turned out beautifully..love the colour👍

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you Katherine.

[@lucycabana9970]

Thank you! Most people don't show cutting of😊 the small gems.

[@samrobinson4403]

Thanks Cliff that was very informative. Really like your channel. Have watched every faceting video here.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Sam, glad you enjoyed the video. There is not that much information on how to facet small gems. Cheers Cliff

[@jorgericardosucno2754]

Hermoso trabajo profesor teacher

[@fransiscozip1459]

Ive got some Garnett sandpaper the chunks are pretty big..prolly good for practice

[@VintageTimeGems]

It should work....Cheers

[@mingbotlarue5694]

Fascinating video mate! I love tiny faceted gems 🖤

[@edwarddarst4358]

I got 230 ct quartz crystals I like to have cut any taker outthere .into diamonds 4 of them 20 or40 cts

[@oscarcarvajal2902]

Thank you very mmuch for share this exellent video. I'm trying to learn about these handcrafts with little stones. I'm in Colombia and i want to polish emeralds.

[@kathylecluyse7820]

Small, but perfect. Thanks for sharing, Cliff!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Kathy.

[@tatjanabaker3521]

Excellent demo! Thank you so much for sharing your skills! This was so useful to me!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Tatjana.

[@welshgoldferret5107]

Beautifully cut Cliff! My books are starting to stack up nice now, I’m just sourcing parts to build myself a machine but I don’t know if it’s just me but here in the U.K. finding the parts is proving to be a challenge, if anyone can point me in the direction for a platen & arbor that would be great 👍 the mast will be here this week. Reading and watching Cliffs vids for now! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks...Getting parts will be a challenge. I seen several faceting machines the use a sewing machine motor.

[@solyimps]

i live in chantaburi thailand. several local shops here for facetting supplies. If I knew what is needed i could stop by the stores and see if they have it. btw i am not a cutter so industry terms would go over my head

[@cmeyers3231]

fantastic video, we are going to do some small stock and you really answered a lot of lingering questions.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks. I'm glad you got something out of this video. Cheers Cliff

[@wayneshafton]

Fantastic video mate! I've been wanting to get into this for years and I think this has convinced me to take the plunge and give it a go. I've subscribed and I'll be watching all your videos. Thank you!

[@daydreams4rock]

I am a Australian sapphire fossicker and I have hundreds of carats of gems around 1 carat uncut or even half a carat each-- I can sell them as a parcel very cheaply -cause they are all my leftovers after having all my bigger gems cut . Let me know if your keen. All the best, David

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi David, I have enough small sapphires to facet...Thanks for the offer.

[@daydreams4rock]

@@VintageTimeGems all good - I have no use for them but I reckon one day someone might want them

[@Yan_Fun_Crafting]

you have so much patient to do this awesome job, i like the result a lot ☺️👍🏻

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you.

[@kennethe4809]

Very informative and an excellent video. Thank you

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Kenneth

[@JeffBrazeel-fe4wc]

Thanks So Much for putting this out Mate!

[@alexandrevaliquette1941]

I was about to make you a suggestion... Nevermind, you already made a nice video on ruby boule! Thumbs up for each video!!!!!

[@Hedbrant2]

What is the disc being used for polish here? 8:21 And is it charged?

[@kylecissell958]

Such a pretty little garnet 😁👍

[@MuhammadAli-iz2yg]

very courteous video. explaining things in detail. please upload videos on pear, oval and heart shapes

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you. I've facet a pear. I uploaded a video on it.

[@MuhammadAli-iz2yg]

@@VintageTimeGems thanks a lot got that

[@lianeisme]

You are my inspiration I love your videos thank you

[@TempusSolum]

yet another brilliant video, Cliff. :D That little garnet turned out amazing. I can well see why you prefer faceted girdles. Can you tell us how long it took to cut that little beauty, from start to finish? Watching your videos is definitely an inspiration. Whenever I watch you cut, I find myself thinking about what I need to set up a little "play area" for myself. LOL It's likely way out of my budget and ability, but it's fun to dream.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Tempus. This gem was about 3-4 hours off and on.

[@akoski12]

I was also going to say you did a "Brilliant" job with this gem as well as explaining a handful of tips on making the process easier. Thank you for another great video!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you.

[@charadremur333]

Join a gem club

[@deborahduthie4519]

Tempus Solum I love Faceting too. If you get a Cabauchoning set of grinding and polishing wheels, you can expect to do only the Cabauchon stones(gems). If you get yourself a secondhand Faceting Machine, you can do both Cabauchon and Faceted gems, for under $1,000. Get yourself enrolled at our closest Lapidary Club, where you will get lessons, hints, stones, education from the club members and possibility of getting secondhand equipment or be taught how to make your own machine to your needs. I did buy a secondhand new Faceting Machine that was bought to keep a grown son interested but he ended up moving away, Lucky me. New machine was $4,500US but I got it for $4,500Australian and it was hardly used

[@asmajahangir1862]

Hi. finally you done it . Well done

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you.

[@sarojinisirimalwatta6310]

Sir ,thanks for the video' s and so many tips and good advise ,(sirilanka)

[@sherdiasher7371]

I love gemstone and cutting love this occupation i m also a gemstone cutter

[@bento5501]

Do you have to have a degree to be a gem cutter?

[@sherdiasher7371]

@@bento5501 yes i have 2 degrees of gem cutting and polishing

[@bento5501]

Ok I wanted to know it I'd very cool and I want to facet some Ruby's I have

[@sherdiasher7371]

@@bento5501 Nice

[@timsadventures9888]

When I use to cut before sapphire small were quick and easy, great video Cliff you would make a good teacher, sorry you are, silly me..

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Tim, Small gems are easier to facet. The hard part it to make sure the don't fly off the dop....Cheers

[@debrastone3536]

Wow Gorgeous, I wish I could do that but a little to complicated for me.

This color is beautiful

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Santiago.

[@littlecomanche8663]

Hey sorry i had to add you again I learn a lot from you

[@Liburni]

Nice video thanks Cliff. Now i see , you are guilty for couple more home made diy faceting machine builders , like including myself . This is so inspirating and educating thanks my friend ...My project continue ...

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Liburni....Can't wait to see what your faceting machine looks like once completed.

[@mawi1172]

What a great video!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ 5 Stars.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks

[@AeroVibess]

So beautiful cut

[@coffeeandbackgammon1087]

this looks like fun

[@piengchansreehatagam2185]

very good presentation.

[@barry7608]

Beautiful little stone, thanks so much. I dug a very large zircon out at Gem Tree and had the local cutter facet it. Can’t remember the weight but nearly clear and one of the nicest stone in 15 years according to the cuter. Had it set in 18ct gold as a pendant. I’ve been told you need to know what you’re doing to get the best out of these gems is that true? Do you facet for clients? I have a few I’d like to get cut

[@sylmen1111]

Wow that’s beautiful.

[@AftrskewlXprmnt]

The thumbnail looks like pomegranate.... a forbidden snack

[@VintageTimeGems]

I love pomegranate....A bit fiddly to open and eat, but tasty.

[@truthhunterhawk3932]

An English Rock is it? A Pom-e-granite

[@DeadMouseWater]

Loved your video had two questions what is the parts that have the angles on the diamond holding stand and how to you plan or the math for the angels and cuts for your peice would appreciate some advice

[@lineGems-c7n]

Hi cliff my name is muhammad iam gemologist from pakistan 🇵🇰 informative content keep it up

[@andrewgibb8846]

Excellent presentation 👍 I have really tiny gems out of paydirt. They’re probably 0.5mm. I’m thinking they are far too tiny to attempt to facet. If one came off the dop, it would be lost forever.

[@goodground6893]

For superglue accelerant mix baking soda in warm water then put in spray bottle same thing.

[@VintageTimeGems]

I prefer not have any water on the glue. It gets between the dop and the gem.

[@TracyAmor]

That's so beautiful 😍

[@jimconacher104]

A very good video. As far as explaining while doing this is a super video. You do explain everything out very good. My question is, What is the disk that you are using with the sewing machine oil and diamond powder? I am really just starting out but I have a bunch of small garnets that do need cutting along with other sapphires and stones. I am using a old Lee facet machine. I have been bitten by the facet bug and it is something that I really want to continue to do. Thank you for putting up this video.

[@Invictuswanderlust24]

Hi do you have by any chance same sized small diamond cut or cushion cut morganite, aquamarine, and emerald? Around 3 mm in size? I would like to purchase these three little stones to make a ring. If you dont, can you direct me to the shops where you sell your cut gems please

[@mollyv8b705]

I love watching your videos!! I have a friend who travels all over Canada and the US digging beautiful raw gems. He knows how much I LOVE rocks, and just anything that sparkles really 😂 So I get buckets upon buckets of amazing rocks to clean and tumble. I have quite a few raw gems that I would love your advice on..One is large and I believe it is a garnet or ruby?? Do you have a way that I can send you picture or even a video tour of the gems I have?? I would love it if you could faucet one of my gems. I also have a few good size herkimer diamonds. Where can I send you some pictures?

[@davidwootton683]

Thankyou for sharing this with us. I cut gem stones and I use super glue to glue them to the dop stick. But I use dop stick wax between the dop stick, glue and the stone. Pre-form the wax with low heat to the shape you want. I then glue the stone to the shaped wax pre-form. I use a holding/transfer jig' I made. I make them up in batches and leave them over night. The same method is used to turn the stone around to cut the other side. Heat the wax only enough to make it shape-able. Then glue it. Heat the side to come off, (the metal dop stick). Gently! Grind the glue/wax away as part of the pre-forming. The finished stone is removed as per above. Be careful with emeralds and other heat sensitive stones. Clean in Acetone. The method above produces a strong bond. I use a very good super glue. Many thanks and kind regards David. Contact: [e-mail]

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks David for the info...It's always good to learn how overs facet. Quality glue really helps. Cheers Cliff

[@Bub-belz81]

Amazing video ❤️. I am completely new to this and want to learn. Could you please tell me what all the tools and machinery you used are called please so I can get myself started ❤️

[@pedroalonso-sanchez4783]

How to you know if you are cutting far enough or how do you know the widness of your girdle facet

[@ukbeeps]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@juanmorse50]

Beautiful work.

[@BryanMiller]

Wow, what a light show.

[@LampWaters]

I have a bunch of garnet beads, I have to re string them but they are soooooooo tiny I don't think I can do it myself

[@TheSilverSmithsBench1]

I just purchased my first gem faceting machine.

[@Laarye]

Question: If the stones were too small to cut, then why would someone else buy them? How would I cut stones that are only a point in size then if they are too small, as you can buy them?

[@mpschigoda1677]

(an outsider's view) you could use them in mosaic, even if you can't facet them?

[@jasonsummit1885]

Not sure how long customs in Australia takes to approve items but you should be getting the package I sent last week.😁

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Jason, Australia Post has been so slow with the fires going on. It could still take a while before it arrives. Cheers