The Books Amateur Gemstone Faceting

Gemstone faceting is a vast topic, and it proved impossible to capture it in a single book. As a result, Amateur Gemstone Faceting comes in two volumes, roughly divided along the lines of The  Essentials and Expanding Your Horizons.

 

The first volume presents The Essentials, including a detailed, visual tutorial to help the complete beginner through his or her first gemstone. There are chapters providing guidance on selecting gem rough, faceting machines, laps, and additional equipment, as well as lengthy explanations of cutting and polishing technique. It concludes with a chapter on further reading to help you continue your faceting journey. In short, Volume 1 targets the beginning to intermediate faceter.

Volume 2 should be of interest to all skill levels, including the beginner. It provides simple-to-follow explanations of exactly what goes on when light enters a gemstone, and equips your with the mathematical tools to maximize your enjoyment of the hobby. There are chapters on gemstone properties and treatments, as well as a useful overview of common materials that amateurs actually cut. Volume 2 continues with several chapters that should further expand your faceting horizons, including discussion and tutorials on advanced pre-forming techniques, faceting on the computer, and creating your own unique gemstone designs. The final chapter provides ideas for several do-it-yourself projects, ranging from building a better drip tank to adding a digital angle indicator to your faceting machine.

Scroll down for an overview of the two volumes of Amateur Gemstone Faceting, including a quick, chapter-by-chapter summary. You can download the Table of Contents here.

Amateur Gemstone Faceting
Volume 1: The Essentials Author: Format: Publisher: ISBN: Dimensions: Direct Purchase Link: Tom Herbst Softcover, 428 pages FaceTable Books, November 2014 978-3-00-047474-3 8.5" x 11" at Amazon.com Amateur Gemstone Faceting Volume 1: The Essentials
Volume 1: Table of Contents

Foreword

Chapter 1. Gems and Faceting

Chapter 3. Faceting Machines

Chapter 3. Laps

Chapter 4. Additional Equipment

Chapter 5. GeM101: Your First Gemstone

Chapter 6. Gem Rough

Chapter 7. Dopping

Chapter 8. Cutting and Polishing

Chapter 9. Further Reading

Glossary

Index (both volumes)

Click here for a chapter-by-chapter summary

Amateur Gemstone Faceting Volume 2: Expanding Your Horizons
Author: Format: Publisher: ISBN: Dimensions: Direct Purchase Link: Tom Herbst Softcover, 456 pages FaceTable Books, November 2014 978-3-00-047475-0 8.5" x 11" at Amazon.com Amateur Gemstone Faceting Volume 2: Expanding Your Horizons
Volume 2: Table of Contents

Chapter 10. Gemstone Mathematics and Geometry

Chapter 11. Gemstone Optics

Chapter 12. Gem Material Properties

Chapter 13. Gemstone Treatments

Chapter 14. Common Gem Materials

Chapter 15. Faceting on Your Computer

Chapter 16. Designing Your Own Gemstone

Chapter 17. Advanced Pre-Forming Techniques

Chapter 18. Case Study: The Briar Rose

Chapter 19. New Designs

Chapter 20. Do It Yourself Projects

Index (both volumes)

Click here for a chapter-by-chapter summary