Registration for this schedule starts on 12/01/2025 and ends on 04/03/2026
Participants must be 18 years to 120 years old when the program starts.
Registration for this schedule starts on 12/01/2025 and ends on 07/31/2026
Participants must be 18 years to 120 years old when the program starts.
Registration for this schedule starts on 12/01/2025 and ends on 09/04/2026
Participants must be 18 years to 120 years old when the program starts.
Registration for this schedule starts on 12/01/2025 and ends on 10/02/2026
Participants must be 18 years to 120 years old when the program starts.
FACETING I
INSTRUCTOR: TOM MITCHELL
In this class you will learn the art of meet point gem faceting. No math skills are required. All the math has been done for you. If you read, follow directions, and perhaps have a little patience you can cut your own bling. You will learn how to examine a stone to determine if it is facet worthy. You will also learn how to read a faceting diagram and how to apply the instructions on the diagram to the faceting machine, then how to cut and polish the facets and much more. This requires magnification in the form of an Opti VISOR or other magnification device. Your first stone should be better cut than those in most commercial jewelry stores. The Class Fee includes my book: "Faceting 1, Learn the Fine Art of Gem Faceting, It’s Easy!," plus several easy cutting designs, the first stone you cut, a Spectra Ultralap for polishing and much more.
Class Fee: $65
Est Materials Fee: $0+
Prerequisite: None
Thomas Mitchell
I have been an amateur geologist since college and have been fascinated by rocks and crystals all my life. Since retiring from a career in fire safety, I have pursued these interests vigorously and over the past several years I have acquired a modest collection of gems rough. I had a few of these pieces faceted by someone else, which turned out to be exorbitantly expensive.
Consequently, I took up faceting at William Holland with Bill Compliment (Faceting 1) and David Corn (Faceting 2). I purchased my first faceting machine, an Ultra Tec V2 Digital, in 2009 after completing Faceting I and upgraded it to the V5 Digital in 2012, and I have never stopped or slowed down with my faceting interests. I am currently the President of the Tomoka Faceters Guild in Central Florida, and I’m two a time Past President of the United States Faceters Guild". I also teach basic geology, gemology, gem and mineral identification and faceting at The Villages Gem and Mineral Society in The Villages, Florida.
Please contact William Holland School of Lapidary Arts if you have any questions.