The Rice Museum states, “Faceting is to cut facets or small faces upon; as, to facet a diamond.” Faceting 101 is taught by members of the Columbia Willamette Faceters’ Guild. The allure and lore of gems! Beautiful, exquisite. With either 10 or 20 hours of instruction, you can cut, polish and keep your very own gemstone! All equipment including gem rough is provided. No prior experience is necessary.
The Columbia-Willamette Faceters’ Guild in conjunction with the Rice Northwest Museum offers three types of classes promoting the art of gem faceting:
Introduction to Gemstone Faceting
This 10-hour class over two days will introduce the basics of faceting. Students will have time to complete one stone.
Beginning Gemstone Faceting
This class introduces the theory and techniques of faceting gemstones. During the course, students will expect to facet one or two gemstones with material and equipment provided by the Columbia-Willamette Faceters Guild. Students will gain sufficient knowledge and techniques to continue faceting on their own. Students may keep the stones they cut and facet diagrams and handouts they are given.
Students who have already taken the class may sign up for additional classes, but are free to work independently from the beginners, using designs of their choosing and their own rough if they like. They still have full access to the instructors, equipment, rough, and materials.
Advanced Gemstone Faceting
This class covers a variety of advanced subjects, including gemstone re-cutting, re-polishing and repair, often without the availability of a faceting diagram. Bring your own stones or the Guild will provide previously cut stones for you. This class is open to experienced lapidary only. Class fees are set by the instructor.
Faceting Class Schedules
Classes are scheduled in the fall and the spring. They vary from year to year and instructors offer different levels of expertise.
Where: Rice Northwest Museum, Hillsboro, Oregon
Note: Class registrations are no longer handled by the Rice Museum.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am – 3:30pm
Introductory Class: Students may facet one stone.
2-day class — Saturday and Sunday or 2 Saturdays or 2 Sundays.
Cost: $150.00 (includes all materials)
Beginner Class: students may facet two stones provided by the guild.
Duration: 4 Sessions – 20 hours total
Cost: $250.00 (includes all materials)
Advanced Class: For experienced faceters only
(see above description).
4-day class — 2 Saturdays or 2 Sundays.
Cost: $250.00 or set by the instructor. (includes all materials)
To be placed on our wait list please complete this form.
💎CWFG Wait list Application💎
For more information, contact our registrar Cassandra at
Learntofacet@facetersguild.com
Instructors only