Down the rabbit hole

[Debbie K]

I always knew that faceting was for the OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) folks among us, and knew it was probably a bad idea to ever try this. I just spent two days faceting something, and let me tell you, time just melts away.

I thought that carving was bad, but cramps in my hands would make me stop occasionally and do something different. The faceting only gives me a neck ache from straining to get the right reflection on the facet to see if it's sanded/polished correctly. Hours and hours went by, and dinner for two nights was delayed because I lost all track of time.

I've had this old (and I mean OLD) Graves machine for a couple of years and never used it for anything but a flat lap because I was afraid something like this would happen. It's so out of alignment that it made life really interesting, and of course the platen isn't square either. 

I don't know if I'll do anymore of this (yeah, right!), but I'm already looking at index gears and polishing films on Ebay and other websites. I'm kinda wishing I'd never tried....

Debbie K

[asianfire]

   Lets see the reason for delayed dinner. 

[Helene]

It's a precision mathematical nightmare.  I know you have that impeccable craftsmanship level and intricate jewelry pieces.  I think faceting may stunt your artistic growth.  Did a lot in my youth.  My hats off to all faceters, but it takes a special mentality.  I'm thinking this will use the wrong side of your creative brain.  On the other hand with your creative ideas you might  do something extra special with the art.

[Carol M]

This is fascinating!!!!

Photos!! Photos!! We want photos!!!
Especially Progress Shots.

I took a cab cutting class from a fellow that normally specializes in Faceting Workshop.
I've seen his 'precision equipment' but I've never seen what people start with and how they get from there to the middle, and then the end.

[Debbie K]

I'll post some pictures when the project gets further along; right now it doesn't look too good.

Helene, I think you're correct about it stifling creativity. Unfortunately for me, I used to be a little bit of a geometry geek and have a mechanical drawing background; things that feed that relentless pursuit for perfection. Which is exactly why I never wanted to start faceting; I'm too driven to try to make something geometric "perfect".

I'm just messing around with it, and hope I don't get too bogged down. I think I'm better off carving.

I was looking at a listing on Craigslist today; a woman was selling all her lapidary equipment and stained glass and glass fusing equipment. She had an amazing assortment of equipment, tools and supplies, and now she's not interested in doing either type of work anymore. I hope I don't get like that and just lose interest in a whole discipline. I like to put them all together; carving, painting, metalwork and enamel. I have never parted with an art tool; I always know that someday I'll use it again (and it's astounding how often I do).

Debbie K

[Helene]

I know what you mean Debbie.  I have a feeling we think too much alike.  U'mm I have a construction draftsman background before getting into illustration.  We like the tedious work.

[RegisG]

Debbie,
Not sure what part of the country you are in BUT, you can be pretty sure that faceting help is not too far.   Graves are pretty basic machines and someone with a little experience can get you back in alignment.   As far as neck pain, getting lighting in right place helps but, you "should not" have to be constantly looking.  Get you stop set right and then you only need to look when getting close.  There is even a very easy way to connect an inexpensive meter on an older Graves so you will not have to look until you are very close.  I think it is over on the USFG site.  When I had my Graves mark IV, I always had one of those led lights beside me to shine straight at the stone when you lifted it and pointed toward you.
At least you didn't pop the dop when you were near finished[lol].  Because you spin faceting wheel slower than cabbing, that does not happen as often.

Good luck,
Regis   

[jakesrocks]

Debbie, have you considered faceted cabs ? A friend of mine tried it a couple years ago, and the finished cabs were interesting to say the least. I'll see if I can locate pics of the finished cabs on another forum, and post a link here.

Wow ! Found it quicker than I thought I would. These were a first attempt at faceted cabs to be set in rings.
http://image.wikifoundry.com/image/1/cZMv1e4IgeFvt1IcorkFiw385767

[DonniesTreasures]

Come on Debbie, give it up!  We want to see pictures, esp me.  I would like to see how you are doing because some day I might want to try my hand at it too.  So your first baby steps would be awesome to see!!!

[Debbie K]

Okay you guys, I promise I'll post photos, but I have a little more to do. I've been too busy for the last week doing other things to get back to work on 3 unfinished projects. Still have more to do tomorrow, but should get back to work on Thursday.

Don, thanks for the link. I've always thought faceted opaque stones were kinda cool. Think I'll try to make some soon.

Debbie

[Eu_citzen]

Any decent machinist should be able to get your equipment back in alignment.
Faceting machines are not that advanced, really.

[Debbie K]

Okay, guys, here it is:

This is the stone only. I had some problems transitioning from the carving to the faceting; I had to go back and polish some of the facets by hand. Please be kind, this is the first and only thing I've ever faceted.

This is the finished piece; I decided that I liked the depletion gilding better than shiny silver. The stones on the crown are Herkimer "diamonds".

Debbie K

[Mark]

You did an incredible job and joined several different types of work.  I was expecting a faceted stone only, maybe i wasn't reading closely enough, so i was really surprised.  Someday in the far future i hope to be able to get into faceting, its fascinating!

Mark

[Debbie K]

Thanks, Mark! I found that the faceting is addictive. I had to make this up as I went along, as I was following the 6 sides of the crystal (which weren't perfect) and reduce and increase the facets gradually. Also the index I had was for things divisible by 8, not 6, so I had to fudge a little.

It's amazing to me that it looks as good as it does since I wasn't following any pattern, didn't have the right index, and had something lopsided to work with. Next time I'll true the crystal to begin with, then carve and facet. I always seem to do things the hard way.

Debbie K

PS: The dimensions are 1" tall, 7/8" wide, 7/8" deep

[Mark]

Wasn't the original faceting done by eye without measurements back in the 1200s or when it started?

Mark

[Carol M]

HOLY MERDE!!!!

That is totally stunning, Debbie!!!
Boy, you certainly 'set the bar high'!!!  GULP!!
WELL DONE!!!!  And thanks for the photos!!!   WOW!!!

[Debbie K]

Carol:

Believe it or not I was just messing around. I didn't know whether or not it would work; just did the best I could and the machine did the rest. I have a few scratches that I didn't sand sufficiently before going up to the next grit; I was afraid of going too far because I didn't really know what I was doing. The machine really does most of the work but it didn't turn out great due to operator error.

Mark, I don't really know much about the history of faceting. I just know that it's only been relatively recently that people have understood that the refractive index of the stone should dictate the angle that the stone is cut to get the greatest return of light. Most commercial faceters cut the stone to have the maximum weight, not the maximum light return. It's mostly individual faceters, like EU Citizen and Regis, who try to make beautiful stones, not just heavy stones.

Debbie K

[Eu_citzen]

I to was expecting a faceted stone only. Cool!
What index wheel do you have, 96?

If you want to set off on some "classical" faceting, there are a few easy diagrams I can recommend. I intend to add more as time goes.

http://customgemstonestudio.com/custom-gemstones/simple-trilliant/
Nice, easy trilliant, looks good in almost anything!


http://customgemstonestudio.com/custom-gemstones/simple-cushion-2/
I think Regis cut this one in sunstone, Regis?

http://customgemstonestudio.com/custom-gemstones/eye-of-ra/
A standard round brilliant (SRB) variation. Just with less facets on the crown.

[Debbie K]

Willie:
 
I have a 64 index. I had to go with increments of 11 four times and 10 twice to have it work out. I found a pattern for an egg which I modified; I was only interested in the rounded bottom part, and I reduced the angles by nearly half. I wanted the top of the head to be domed. Thanks to you guys posting the links for faceting diagrams, I was able to find one I could work with.

I had trouble with the facets tying into the forehead, since I had to do them on the edge of the lap. Since I couldn't back off any further, they were partial curved facets. I had to go back with stones to try to smooth them out and it was kind of a mess. The platen is slightly out of whack so I had to hold the stone loosely and let it go up and down and I was scared I would crack the face. And, on my last polishing at 8000, my copper lap (which unknown to me had a coat of lacquer on it) scratched the top facet. I had nothing left I could work with at that point, and was afraid of messing up the copper lap. It was brand new and didn't have any opportunity of getting contaminated, at least by me. I had handmade corian laps for the other grits, except for 100 and 200.

I admire faceters patience and attention to detail greatly. I don't know that it's the work for me ( I work sloppy), but I like the results. I know I'll do more, I'll probably try something more classical next time. And I really ought to get a better index; there are very few diagrams for a 64.

Debbie K

[Kingsolomon]

Nice work ...
  As a new facetor I too understand your vulnerable transition into this art . I am an airbrush artist of twenty years and understand annoying machined tools you need to get to know before you can produce what you want . Not sure why I've committed myself to faceting now , I'll just have to get a bit older so I can call it a mid-life crisis. Wish you all the best , and hope you don't / do get hooked..
  Barney