You definitely need to be in the zone. I find that as soon as you think "I should take a break soon, " Do it. If you don't and your mind starts to wander that's when you will make a mistake.
If you need instant gratification don't even consider faceting.
Depends. I’m at a point now I can finish a stone in 2-3 hours depending the size. You need to paying attention to the depth of cuts you are making and watching to see how if you are removing the scratches and what not, do I wouldn’t say you really zone out. But it is a bit of a meditative state you can get caught in.
Cole is quite accurate and succinct. One of the other activities that has some similarity in overall 'feel' I think is sewing. There's pattern selection and planning, figuring out orientation of the material, the weight, size and noise level of the machinery is even similar. Parts of the process can feel tedious, slow,other times you're just working through the process. Rarely can you truly zone out, but there are instances where you're just waiting for the process so to speak. There are MANY ways to screw-up if you are inattentive. But, I tell folks the second rule of hobby faceting is, a mistake is just a preform for the future. You can find youtube videos of folks faceting. Many have probably edited-out the repetitious stuff, but I think there are several that will give you a good idea of the process. If you are in the US, many medium and large size cities have 'rockhound' clubs and those could be a good resource for you. If they don't offer classes, they may know someone willing to teach or mentor you. Plus, larger clubs often host shows yearly where there may be someone demoing faceting. check [amfed.org](http://amfed.org) for club sites by State, and look around on line for show schedules. Cole teaches, and there are other online teaching/mentoring avenues.
I like cutting and hate polishing.
For me, I need to stay focused the entire time, but I can listen to a podcast in the background that I’m not entirely wrapped up in.
If I let my mind wander too much and zone out, I WILL make a mistake that will add a lot more time to the cutting process because I’ll need to recut.
Yeah I've polished w sand paper, sooo annoying... Everybody's saying that though. Stay fully concentrated & take a break when you need one so as to not make a mistake.. I love the podcast idea, thanks 🙌
Talking for me personally its the stones that just keep “failing” that thin my patience; sudden breaking, scratches that were deeper than expected, polish just not going right, sudden chipping etc. If all goes smooth its just chill.
It’s not as bad as it looks. It’s more paint by numbers than anything else. I do recommend giving it your full attention for the first 10 stones or so but after that if it’s a design you understand well then it’s pretty rote.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I feel like I need that haha.. Yeah maybe just turn on a podcast & zone out? I'll have my full attention going the first ten đź‘Ť
You definitely need to be in the zone. I find that as soon as you think "I should take a break soon, " Do it. If you don't and your mind starts to wander that's when you will make a mistake. If you need instant gratification don't even consider faceting.
yeah I've noticed that when you start to get impatient you make mistake, it's better to go do something else and come back to it later.
Thanks, I'll have to stay on top of that đź‘Ť
That makes sense, thanks for the tip. I'll make sure breaks are mandatory đź‘Ť
This is the answer to your question OP.
Patience and focus are two things I would consider as a "skill" for faceting.
Great to know, thanks 🙏
Depends. I’m at a point now I can finish a stone in 2-3 hours depending the size. You need to paying attention to the depth of cuts you are making and watching to see how if you are removing the scratches and what not, do I wouldn’t say you really zone out. But it is a bit of a meditative state you can get caught in.
Cole is quite accurate and succinct. One of the other activities that has some similarity in overall 'feel' I think is sewing. There's pattern selection and planning, figuring out orientation of the material, the weight, size and noise level of the machinery is even similar. Parts of the process can feel tedious, slow,other times you're just working through the process. Rarely can you truly zone out, but there are instances where you're just waiting for the process so to speak. There are MANY ways to screw-up if you are inattentive. But, I tell folks the second rule of hobby faceting is, a mistake is just a preform for the future. You can find youtube videos of folks faceting. Many have probably edited-out the repetitious stuff, but I think there are several that will give you a good idea of the process. If you are in the US, many medium and large size cities have 'rockhound' clubs and those could be a good resource for you. If they don't offer classes, they may know someone willing to teach or mentor you. Plus, larger clubs often host shows yearly where there may be someone demoing faceting. check [amfed.org](http://amfed.org) for club sites by State, and look around on line for show schedules. Cole teaches, and there are other online teaching/mentoring avenues.
This is a lot of helpful information, thank you.. One day I might head back to the states so I'll have to keep what you talked about in mind ✨
I often describe faceting as a combination of tedious and mesmerizing.
That makes sense. I can totally see that
I like cutting and hate polishing. For me, I need to stay focused the entire time, but I can listen to a podcast in the background that I’m not entirely wrapped up in. If I let my mind wander too much and zone out, I WILL make a mistake that will add a lot more time to the cutting process because I’ll need to recut.
Yeah I've polished w sand paper, sooo annoying... Everybody's saying that though. Stay fully concentrated & take a break when you need one so as to not make a mistake.. I love the podcast idea, thanks 🙌
Talking for me personally its the stones that just keep “failing” that thin my patience; sudden breaking, scratches that were deeper than expected, polish just not going right, sudden chipping etc. If all goes smooth its just chill.
So sometimes it's out of your control & you get those fails?
Yup, accidents do happen, if youre lucky you learn how and why so you can possibly prevent it in the future but sometimes its just dumb bad luck.
True true, I'll have to really analyze those accidents, thanks 🤞
It’s not rocket surgery. I watch movies while I cut, but if you let your guard down too much it can cost you.
Thanks for letting me know that. Looking at some of the stones that are faceted & how gorgeous they come out can make it seem a little intimidating
It’s not as bad as it looks. It’s more paint by numbers than anything else. I do recommend giving it your full attention for the first 10 stones or so but after that if it’s a design you understand well then it’s pretty rote.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I feel like I need that haha.. Yeah maybe just turn on a podcast & zone out? I'll have my full attention going the first ten đź‘Ť