Every few months, workshop teachers Don and Len hold a faceting course for members. The club provides all the tools and machines and also some gemstones to get started with and there's a fee to join the course. Don and Len have lots of patience and will walk you through all the steps (many times over if needed) to ensure you can produce beautifully cut gems. The process of faceting takes weeks but is fascinating as each session will see you working in a different way towards the end result.

Dawn checking her stone for a smooth facet.

Why is it more practical for lapidarians to facet their own stones rather than buy them from a jewellers?

Well apart from the huge variety of colours and styles you can utilise yourself, the size of the stones are never quite big enough or unusual enough at the jewellers for the average person to afford and enjoy. Lapidarians want variety, beauty, the pleasure of making something themselves and a bigger cut stone. Plus, since faceting is a very interesting technique to learn, you will find the time will fly by!

New facetors often say "where does the time go?" as a few hours in real life seem like a few minutes in faceting land (especially when you're chasing perfection!) I still look back at the faceted stones I've made in wonderment - did I really create something so beautiful?

No scratches! This one's going to be a beauty!

Why is it better to learn at the Essendon Club rather than do a course?

If you want to be a professional jeweller, you can get a complete package from a course which will prepare you much more thoroughly for a career as a jeweller. However, if you want to learn a new hobby, make some friends and get a general grip on faceting, you will find our Club course much more affordable and easygoing. Additionally, you will be able to use the machines for the life of your membership once you have completed the course, saving you $1000s on equipment costs. You're not just doing a course, you're joining a group of like-minded enthusiasts!

Dawn's faceted stone is almost finished.

Later on, when you have faceted some stones and gained experience, you can buy materials from gem shows to facet. These can range from the affordable ($5) to the ridiculous ($6000) in price - but they are all wondrous when someone takes the time to select a nice design to facet and enjoys their hobby. Faceting gemstones takes time, patience and a good teacher - and I'm proud to say our Club does an excellent job at teaching people faceting!