Beginner's - OK, one of the things that I get asked on a regular basis is... "What do I need as a beginner to start faceting?"

If you have questions or suggestion for this page please let me know.

On this page I have listed what a new faceter or a beginning faceter will need.

All the information about rough, equipment, books, instructions, diagrams, and any other information I think is relevant to a new cutter is listed here.

I have also listed articles that a new cutter should read when getting started. Please also note that there are many more articles on faceting related subjects in my "Just ask Jeff" section. So be sure and read through this section of my website.

Midwest Faceters Guild - This guild offers various classes through out the year so contact them for information... Classes

Here is a list of things I recommend that may help you make some decisions.

Equipment List
Buying a faceting machine and do not know what else you need?

Articles of Interest for a Beginner
What Equipment do I need to get started?
What is my opinion on laps? What do I use?
Buying a Faceting Machine? What Machine?

Faceting Machines Reviews
Ultra Tec Faceting Machine Review - I recommend Ultra Tec machines
Facetron Faceting Machine Review - I do Not sell or recommend Facetrons
Graves Faceting Machine Review - I do Not sell or recommend Graves
OMNI Faceting Machine Review - I recommend OMNI machines

As a beginner be sure and look at my online Gemstone Information. There is a lot of very useful information in this section of my website. Also look at all of my FREE Online Designs. I have a very wide selection of out standing faceting designs that are free for any one who wants to use them.

Books - I recommend at least the first two books on the list to get started.
Learn To Facet the Right Way - This book discusses what faceting is, what the terms mean, and walks a new faceter through cutting 5 different stones and designs one step at a time with pictures and explanations of each step. Also included are pictures of most major machines and controls
Gram 1 - My original book - designs and links cutting diagrams/designs

Addition #1 - Quartz, Tourmaline, Garnet Designs - Additional design pack
Addition #2 - Mixed Designs - Additional design pack
Addition #3 - Mixed Designs - Additional design pack
Addition #4 - Money Cuts Designs - Additional design pack
Addition #5 - Barion Designs - Additional design pack
Addition #6 - Checker Board Designs - Additional design pack
Addition #7 - Money Cuts Designs - Additional design pack
Addition #8 - Diamond Checker Boards - Money Cuts Designs - Additional design pack
Addition #9 - Mirage Cuts - Money Cuts Designs - Additional design pack
Addition #10 - Mirage Cuts - Money Cuts 2 - Additional design pack for Gram 1, and links cutting diagrams/designs.
Addition #11 - Sunstone - Additional design pack for Gram 1, and links cutting diagrams/designs.
Addition #12 - Glitter Cuts - Money Cuts - Additional design pack for Gram 1, and links cutting diagrams/designs.
Addition #13 - Domes - Additional design pack for Gram 1, and links cutting diagrams/designs.
Addition #14 - Beads - Additional design pack for Gram 1, and links cutting diagrams/designs.

Rough - Faceting rough to get started faceting can vary. It depends a lot on the individual person. Quartz is generally a good stone to start learning with because of it's availability and color as well as price range. Quartz comes in all price ranges and I would say for most beginners buy a small parcel of quality moderately priced material. Also buy a couple larger pieces in better color/quality to cut after your first couple stones.

Note: I highly recommend that people cut real stones that will have some value to them when finished. Generally faceting, particularly for a new cuter takes significant labor and man hours. I feel that people should facet some thing that has some value for the labor and time spent. For that reason I do not recommend man-made materials. Man-made materials are all basically worthless rough or faceted.

Here are some excellent choices for a new or beginning faceter - I recommend that most beginning faceters buy a couple of these inexpensive parcels to cut first and then buy a few of the individual stones for cutting after they have learned the basics.

Note: On some pages there are both parcels and individual stones. Also I would generally recommend that a new faceter buy a parcel each of larger pieces and a parcel of smaller pieces.

Parcels
Quartz
Amethyst (medium sawed clean) - This is very good for a beginner and makes a very pretty stone.
Ametrine - This material is some of the best there is and I recommend a few pieces for any faceter to cut after learning the basics.
Citrine - This is very good for a beginner and makes a very pretty stone.
Honey & Oro Verde Quartz - This is natural clear Quartz that has been treated for permanent color. A lot of people like to cut this because they are large clean pieces and inexpensive.
Garnet (Almandine) - These are nice and will cut well in most designs and are very good for a new faceters.
Rose de France - This is very good for a beginner and makes a very pretty stone. This is basically pale Amethyst.
Rose de France 2 - This is very good for a beginner and makes a very pretty stone. This is basically pale Amethyst.

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Individual Stones
Uruguayan Amethyst Points "Extra Color" - This material is some of the best there is and I strongly recommend a few pieces for any faceter to cut after learning the basics.
Uruguayan "Extra" & "Extra Fine" Citrine Crystal Points - This material is some of the best there is and I strongly recommend a few pieces for any faceter to cut after learning the basics.
Ametrine - This material is some of the best there is and I recommend a few pieces for any faceter to cut after learning the basics.
Prosaiolite - This a natural clear Quartz that has been treated for permanent color. This makes a very pretty stone and many people like it because it is inexpensive. Be aware that there is some natural color green Quartz, but it is very rare.

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Bargains - This is a section on the website where I list rough stones that are not generally flawless. These typically have some inclusions but will cut decent stones and the pricing is obviously lower. A lot of faceters like "Bargains" because they can cut decent stones from this rough, it is less expensive, and cutting these stones can give an inexperienced faceter "hands on" experience faceting the real rough and not risking a top stone or a lot of money if they make a mistake.

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Odds & Ends - This is a great place to find quality rough to cut, and learn on depending on what you are looking for and your experience level.

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Specials - I often have discounts and sales on many types of rough. There is usually some thing on sale of the new faceters here...

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Stones to consider after you have cut a few starter stones and feel comfortable with the basics of faceting.
Aquamarine - This is also one of my favorites to cut, there are a lot of choices (beryl comes in many colors). I recommend a few pieces in the 5-20 carat range that are moderately priced.
Garnets - There are a lot of choices in the Garnet category. I suggest a few nice pieces of Rhodolite or Pyrope to start, then move on to the other types and colors. One of my favorites to cut and I strongly recommend is the Rose Malaya Garnets.
Tourmaline - This is probably my number one choice of some thing that I like to facet. My advice is pick a few pieces that are reasonably priced and that you like the color of. I would suggest a few pieces around 5-15 carats and in light to medium colors.

All of the above rough is of course just suggestions. As you can see from looking through my website that there is literally thousands of choices. All of the rough suggested is readily available and cuts easily.

If you have a question on some thing email me and ask. I try to help people with questions...

E-mail to inquire or order: jeff @ faceters.com or jeff @ cabbers.com