FINDING GOLD XIII - Rocks To Real Money - FACETING

[sutra1976]

cool, have a look how do I repair gems:

watch?v=TW2DtqKfRwU

[123THERollyboy]

I know a website that offers a secret code that produces 90% success ratio on gold trading. Go check them out, just google Gold Trading Academy and make as much money as you want.

[kydenj28]

How's it going? I'm in fl too and was lookin to start prospestin and faceting. Where could I get a lapidary for cheap? I really like the way ya go out and bring back all the stuff in bag and then refine it and all. Lookin good. Like to do it like that myself.

[pacificcoast]

Are there any good instructional DVD's or books that you could recommend to a beginner who wants to learn about the process of faceting?

[flagold]

@pacificcoast : you can get most of it online, the cutting process is actually quite easy since it is machining. What is not easy, and really cannot be taught well from a book or the internet (or dvd) is the polishing process where stones are differentiated into collector, commercial (and there are sub-grades of commercial) gems. I learned from Doyle Boyington, an old master still teaching as of this writing - (253) 531-9563 - I would highly recommend a class by him (Washington State).

[Roriniho]

Where do you get your rough from? $10 for rough sapphire sounds pretty good to me Been warned off sapphire mostly due to the apparant rough cost, but $10 I can certainly do.

[flagold]

@Roriniho : we make a trip out to Montana and get our own (either dig, or buy bulk bags from Gem Mountain, or Spectrum, or whomever is running a mine at that time) every few years. They can be bought by watching Ebay, etc., but a faceter has to pay strict attention to how many stones are in the parcel and divide out the carats - if the per stone wt. is below 1 carat (and it is in the large percentage of parcels) it is not a good deal unless they're almost free. Finding Gold IV is sapphires.

[GeorgiaBoi70]

Superb video. 

[MUDSWAT]

I find Gems are HARD to liquidate how can I do this more effectively ??

[flagold]

@MUDSWAT : I don't know if you are faceting, but if not, start, and concentrate on a few types of stones (and I further make sure that I facet only natural stones - no CZ, glass, etc. (cuts down on the buyers that ask if it's real, etc). I'm lucky that Mrs. Mattson is an excellent wire wrap artist and can incorporate the stones into jewelry immediately - you may want to order a Preston Ruether DVD course (or at least the first DVD on rings) to start.

[MUDSWAT]

@flagold Thank you, your very helpful but.... Who do I sell to Jewelry stores wholes sale or consumers retail and where ?

[flagold]

@MUDSWAT : Ultimately, you have a decision to make, sell to jewelers (or if doing very high level faceting, collectors), or retail. My wife sells at art and craft shows down here, and we always have a few pieces out no matter what type of show we're doing.

[MUDSWAT]

@flagold Thank you very much your very helpful.

[reev2012]

Such a great video. Thanks again for another thoroughly informational piece! You guys are great.

[JusHere2PostComments]

wow thats awesome !

[acidfrog01]

Thankyou for the info. , what is your new movie going to be titled and about? Do you think the string of hurricanes will hit Fla. or just head North. Do you have a regular supply list of things you like to take with you on your rock hounding? As always I enjoy your films and commentary; best wishes.

[ds1919ds1919]

wow another incredible video Thanks!!

[acidfrog01]

Where was the best place you found to purchase the Facetron and the laps/diamond polish?

[flagold]

@acidfrog01 : I don't know if it is the best place for price now or not - I bought mine from the link on the Facetron page (Bob's Rock Shop). The laps I'll have to get back to you on (remind me), since I don't have a link to the little shop I buy them from (we're making another movie right now on the road). Best of luck with your faceting!

[flagold]

@acidfrog01 : I bought the laps (solid steel Crystalite Corp.) from Rockpeddler(dot)com. For polishing corundum you'll need a ceramic or tin lap (by far the most expensive). If not, you can have plexiglass plate cut into a lap, soften the face of it with MEK and brush in cerium oxide powder (used for polishing mirrors). Over many times use and charging you will develop a tremendous polishing wheel. Try to pick up a worn out 1200 or 600 (no grit on it) saves much time polishing. Good luck!

[acidfrog01]

The second machine you used was a facetron, how much did it cost? Is it worth paying more for than the lee? I am very interested in being able to facet- I thank you for your videos myself being a novice rock hound.

[flagold]

@acidfrog01 : the Facetron is $2000+ at this time. Worthwhile - it has increased our production, so from that standpoint it is. Faceting is a very worthwhile thing to learn, best of luck to you!

[spiro37]

how do u cut the top part of the gem after you did the lower part? :D

[flagold]

@spiro37 : you use a transfer jig to remove the stone from the bottom dopstick (on the crown end) and transfer and align it with another that has either a glue or high temp wax (called dop wax). The lower part (pavilion) is now placed back in the lapidary machine and the top part (crown) can be cut. A good transfer jig is essential to good cutting - the best lapidary machine is worthless if this one step isn't right.

[spiro37]

do those diagrams tell you what karats those cuts are gonna be, and if theres different sizes for different karats? This is so interesting :D

[flagold]

@spiro37 : I wish it was that simple . . . The cuts are just that - cuts. The diagram tells what the final shape will be, but the weight is determined by the size of the original rough stone, and if a natural stone, what has to be cut out (cracks, large gas bubbles, etc.).  I agree, gemstones are the most fascinating aspect of prospecting.

[svberry]

Good job on the video. I think I could almost do it. Going to have to do some reading. I have never done anything like this. I will have to go find a book that starts at step one. Thanks Matt

[haze42082]

thank u for this

[JRCrowley]

This is fascinating stuff. I might try this as a second career  :)

[johnvoe110273]

Another great video matt, I hope that yer feelin good,your knoledge that you put on youtube is god blessed info that alot of rockhounds dont want people to know about unless you payem, god bless you and conni, you both are an inspiration for us newbees tryin to get peice of the information, that dont lead us in the wrong direction, and for this i commend you both,for your precious time and truthful informative videos. thank you's so much for sharing. john

[twiggins1000]

Matt,

We need to put a couple of red groupers on the Mischief deck and pig out buddy. Hows your Kimberlite project that you and Larry were working prospect out ?

[JerryD0101]

ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT VID. By the way I live a mile from the Etowah River in Dawson County N.Georgia. I plan on taking my young daughters out to try some panning this winter. We did this summer once and I guess I dont know what I'm doing as the sand that I acquired from a nearby stream produced a good amount of gold looking material. It was too easy to be gold. My dad swears it is but I'm skeptical.

[flagold]

If it shines from any angle, has luster in dim light as well as light, doesn't break apart when struck with a hammer, etc., then you've probably found a good spot to work out. Best of luck with it!

[slacker361]

great video again Matt, Thanks

[slacker361]

how much does a cutting machine like that cost?

[flagold]

Look up Facetron from Jarvi Tool Company and you'll get current prices. The Lee Connie is using to cut opals can be had for 300 and less - it is analog, meaning the angle numbers are stamped on the arm (so you can cut 54º 55º etc.), while the Facetron is digital, so you can cut 54.1º 55.2º etc. There are thousands of cutting diagrams still out there for the older machines and many more for the digital machines. With a program called GemCad, you can also make your own diagrams.

[jerktrucker]

Thanks Matt, Your videos are very interesting.