The fascination of faceting gemstones

Retired Narrabri ag pilot and farmer Hugh Faris has discovered the fascinating world of gem cutting, or ‘faceting’, and is keen to share his enthusiasm with locals.

Mr Faris is likely to find an equally interested audience in the Narrabri community.

“Gemstones range through sapphires, topaz, garnets, citrine, rubies, amethyst, tourmaline – anything that polishes up.”

Mr Faris is so keen he has facilitated Narrabri to be the venue for a workshop-course, organised by the Australian Facetors’ Guild, a group dedicated to faceting and recutting gemstones, with members nationally and overseas.

The workshop is part of a week long course in gem cutting to be held at the Narrabri Showground.

The course was quickly fully subscribed by enthusiasts from right across Australia – 16 gem cutters of varying levels of expertise, each with a personal instructor.

But there is an opportunity for local people to go along to the showground on Sunday during a ‘visitor session’ and see and learn more about the art of gem faceting.

For those new to the hobby – it’s also a craft and a business – anyone interested is invited to a special, free ‘visitor session, 10.30am to 1pm on Sunday, September 3. How did Narrabri become the venue for a national gemcutting course?’

“I was visiting a friend who was recovering from illness who did gem faceting as a hobby,” said Mr Faris.

“It was totally absorbing and interesting for him and I was hooked.

“But I have always been interested in stones and minerals, my brother is a geologist and a gemologist.”

The hobby is for all ages, Mr Faris says.

“I’m a local facetor at 81 years of age – you are never too old to give it a go – you don’t have to be mobile.

“After I saw my mate’s interest I attended an Australian Facetors’ Guild course in Casino last year.

“When discussion came around to possible venues for this year’s workshop and AGM I put my hand up and suggested Narrabri.”

The result is the week long course to be held at the Narrabri showground including dinner and get-togethers.

“If they like it, Narrabri could become the Australian Facetors’ Guild course venue for a few years,” Mr Faris suggested.

About 48 enthusiasts will take part in the program at Narrabri on what to look for in gemstones, how to undertake cutting, designs, polishing and more.

“My brother Ian is flying over from Perth, our guild president Reg Hall is from Melbourne, one of the organisers is from Adelaide, another from the ACT, our chief instructor is from Bundaberg, a professional cutter is coming from Rubyvale, and the manufacturers of one of the best cutting machines is coming from North Queensland and will demonstrate his machines.

“Three or four of the visitors are qualified gemologists.

“They can identify well any kind of gemstone across the spectrum of measurements.

“One instructor teaches silver work. They call the rings, bracelets, necklaces or earrings without a stone ‘findings.’

“People are welcome to bring their ‘findings’ along to the visitor session.”

“We have 30 caravans booked in at the showground and 50 people booked so far for the dinner.

“Many will travel and stay in the area to fossick.”

The North West has proven potential for gem seekers.

“Areas like Bingara and Inverell have sapphires and we have some in Narrabri.”

Gemstones are found in many locations.

“They find the odd rubies at Rubyvale and Sapphire. There should be sapphires around here.

“I know there were evidently two diamond mine prospects in the Narrabri area back in the 1890s-1920s,”Mr Faris adds.

He is interested in hearing from anyone with local knowledge or interest in gemstones.

“If anybody who can help with possible fossicking areas it would be very much appreciated – someone might have an area the visitors can fossick for stones to cut or polish.”