Faceting a garnet.

Hello and welcome. My name is Cliff and I'm an Australian gem cutter. In this video you will see me facet a garnet from Tanzania. Garnets are a beautiful gem, but more often than not garnets come with many issues, and once again I have been struck with the garnets curse! This garnet come with speckles and then detaches. The design is called "Rainbow" by Jeff Graham. The design can be found in the link below. The design is not difficult. Best Wishes Cliff

[billmurphy]

I cant express how grateful I am for what you do. Growing up on the line between middle class/poor the world of gem cutting was an unknown aspect and never realized its an art form and takes great patience and creativity. You have introduced this humble and middle aged carpenter to the passion that had been missing from creating something from nothing while enjoying and loving the work at the same time. You've forever changed my life in a positive way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[pauldodge]

I like how you don't just show your successes, but also your learning experiences (there are no mistakes in faceting). With Garnet, I have also experienced lots of chipping, even faceting really lightly, it's hard to get good quality garnet.

[kennanblake]

This was absolutely fascinating to me. My family has always had beloved and beautiful jewls in the family, and i always thought it had to be a machine that cut those so nicely. Little did i know the amout of hand work that goes into this. Just fascinating thank you.

[jimbrady]

One of my favorite gems. I have a 68 carat flawless reddish purple rough rhodolite garnet (transparent) that I never had cut. Someday. Great video. I learn more from folks mistakes than I do from their successes. Thank you.

[johncrumpley]

Nice video, Cliff. You dealt with the disconnect much better than I would have.

I have a notion that those specks are iron. Here's an idea... Get a Neodymium magnet. They are extremely powerful and aren't expensive... You don't need a large one. If the specks are indeed iron, the gemstone will be attracted to the magnet.

If you have difficulty obtaining a Neodymium magnet let me know. I have a couple laying around the shop and will gladly send you one.

Thanks for the video my friend.

[Experiment.]

I always wondered how the gems were transferred to do the crown with precision very well explained

[harlin]

I'd guess you're "spot" on about the little opaque inclusions being magnetite. It's a common oxide found in iron and magnesium rich garnets. As a geologist I think they look really cool in this stone. Two minerals for the price of one!

[tamwolf]

It still turned out beautifully. Thank you for walking through the steps and how you worked through the detachment issue.
What was the final carat wt?

[delilahamiano]

Hello Mr. Vintage Time, I hope Jaws and the family are doing well. Beginner facete here. I would like to ask sir, can you please try and facet another garnet for us. Thank you for showing all the issues one has in cutting a garnet, but I feel like you will cut a beauty. Thank you for sharing all you do with gems. I think the director Jaws wants to see it too. LOL

[kevink]

My facet rough guy started tossing his garnets in a tumbler and it makes it so easy to pick inclusions/magnetite without having to window each one of them.

[joshhill]

Great content- appreciate your time and effort

[Hucklenaut]

Thank you for another very informative video!!!

[kathylecluyse]

Shame about the glue mishap, I'm sure it would have looked even lovelier than it does now without that. Thanks for sharing, Cliff, and better luck next time!

[josecruzjr.]

Thank you sir for this educational video.

[GermanGemcutter]

Thank you for your great helpful Video and the link, i like this Design👍

[badawihassan]

Great great, I follow you all the time

[justinmynatt]

I have a box full of gems that have fallen off the dop while cutting the crown. re-aligning them can be done with a hot dopping method using wax and a guess and check method.... but who's got time for that?! Cheers for sticking on with it 🍻

[Yessimuts]

Can't wait till my machine gets here 🥰

[davidariamirroarkyoung]

I would guess depending on location of origin is biotite inclusions I have found from certain areas that there are locations that are very rich more often then not included with mica throughout so I would think black mica aka biotite

[timmsmiithgm]

Great recovery job! Does a lot of "sugar" in garnets compromise faceting - like open pockets on the surfaces or limiting the light-play?