See us in the UK and ask for a black & gold MrBead bag and a free gift. See us this weekend at Newark Gem 'n' Bead Fair, or in London on Saturday 14th September at Kentish Town.
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The Art of Faceting Beads
Norfolk Mineral & Lapidary Society
MrBead Bead Fairs
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Sometimes the cut of the stone is just as important as the type of gem itself. Most beaders have no idea how much work some people put into cutting gemstones. Close up, the sharp tiny cuts of a multi-faceted bead look awesome.
At one time all gemstones were grafted in cabochons. Facet cutting began in European jewellery around the late 13th-century. The aim is to cut the gemstone to maximize its brilliance by balancing the light reflected both internally and externally - along with bringing out the ‘fire’ of the stone: brightly coloured flashes of light.
Although mass-produced faceted beads these days are cut using a computer operated machine, there is still a thriving community of gem cutters who practice the art as a hobby. It takes patience. Some gemstones can be cut in an hour, but others take many hours, depending on the stones hardness.
A used small faceting machine will set you back at least US$1,000 on eBay. These work by mounting the gem in a dowel, adjusting the position, and touching the gem to an abrasive disc of diamond dust bonded to a motor-driven plate. First the top, called the ‘crown’; then the bottom, called the ‘pavilion’. Water is usually used to cool the process.
The most common faceted gemstone shape today is called the Round or Brilliant cut. It has 58 facts divided equally all around the stone, cut to give the maximum brilliance possible.
Pictures show faceters' at work at the Harrowgate Gem ‘n’ Bead fair in August. These guys take a pride in showing off their work, admired through a jeweller’s loupe, and for all to see in a glass cabinet.
Click the Facet Cutter's Guild homepage
All our faceted beads at MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com
Members are young and old and from all walks for life - so don't be shy visiting! Meetings are held at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of most months in the Catholic Church Hall, Churchfield Green St.Williams Way, Thorpe St.Andrew, Norwich.
They will also be demonstrating cutting and polishing gemstones, jewellery making, and wire wrapping at a special Rockhound Roadshow on Saturday 22nd October 2016 between 10am - 4pm at Upton Village Hall, Cargate Lane, NR13 6AU. Bring along rocks and they will do their best to identify them. Refreshments & free entry!
Sat & Sun 17th & 18th Sept Newark Gem 'n' Bead Fair, Newark Showground, Winthorpe, Notts NG24 2NY - 10am to 5pm Sat 10am to 4pm Sun
Saturday 24th Sept Kentish Town MrBead Bead Show, Kentish Town Community Centre Main Hall, 17 Busby Place, London NW5 2SP - 10am to 4pm
Saturday 1st October Luton MrBead Bead Show, Stockwood Hotel, 41-43 Stockwood Crescent, Luton LU1 3SS - 11am to 4pm
Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th October Knitting & Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London N22 7AY - 10.00am to 5.30pm
Except 7pm Thursday
Saturday 15th October The Big Bead Show, Sandown Park Racecourse, High Street, Esher, London KT10 9AJ - 10am to 5pm
Sat & Sun 22nd & 23rd October Newton Abbot Gem 'n' Bead Fair, Newton Abbot Racecourse, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 3AF - 10am to 5pm Sat 10am to 4pm Sun
Sat & Sun 29th & 30th October Cheltenham Gem 'n' Bead Fair, Pittville Pump Rooms, Pittville Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3JE - 10am to 5pm Sat 10am to 4pm Sun
Sat & Sun
12th & 13th November Kempton Park Gem 'n' Bead Fair, Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, London TW16 5AQ - 10am to 5pm Sat 10am to 4pm Sun
Go to the online version of this newsletter to see pictures from our Norwich and Beads Up North! shows last month.
Full list of: our 2016 UK Bead Fairs
For the archive click https://ymlp.com/archive_gysjwjgjgu.php
To see all What's New in our US store click MrBead.com or UK MrBead.co.uk
To go to the US MrBead store click MrBead.com.
Or our UK shop at MrBead.co.uk
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