Topics in specific classes include:

Faceting

• Machine maintenance & adjustments.


• Lap Maintenance & recharging


• Lap types & cutting & polishing mediums


• Selecting Materials & diff. hardness


• Hot & cold dopping & Transfers.


• Cutting procedures to prepolish – polishing procedures with diamond or oxides.


• Cutting for Competition guidelines & packaging

Cabbing

• Different materials & specific techniques, various styles – Std Cab, Double Std Cab, Free Form, Flat / curved Faces, Spheres & Tumbled stones,


• Opal solids – boulder, doublets & triplets,


• Novice or advanced cutting


• Sanding & Different Polishing mediums.


• Carving Soft Stone, Bone or Hard stone


• Specific Tool List


• Selection of material


• Selection of style – 3D, relief, Cameo, Intaglio or Scrimshaw.


• Use of Flexible Shaft, Dremmel or fixed shaft, HS Machine,


• Polishing & Satin finished articles.
  

Enamelling

• Use of different enamels on different mediums


• Different techniques

Silver Jewellery & Smithing

• Basic Tool list & optional extras.


• Designs – with or without gemstone.


• Sawing & soldering – Pendant


• Prefabrication – Serviette ring.


• Forming – Salt, coffee or Sugar spoon.


• Re-pousse – forming low or high relief from back.

Exercises

• Ring with or without stone


• Brooch with Cab or Faceted Stone


• Collett & or basket settings for stones


• Chains – Faxtail Bracelet or single twist bracelet.


• Branding & polishing metal.

Silver Casting

• Lost Wax – Centrifical


• Wax patterns & Sprewing


• Investments I Tubes


• Weigh Silver or Gold


• Burn out


• Cast


• Finish

Silver Casting Cuttle Bone

• Decide on Design


• Trim Cuttle for front & back mould


• Draw patterns & inscribe & undercut – use Claw or Cab formers


• Carve sprew position & locate F/B mould +


• Melt silver in crucible


• Pour Silver into mould


• Cool mould & clean up casting.


• Dress Casting & add suspension etc


• Finish polish or brass wire brush finish.

Opal

• Solid or boulder or matrix


• Shape – freeform


• Doublet – select cut colour & backing


• Glue and redress shape to suit


• Triplet – cut slim colour – backing & crystal top


• Glue and redress shape to suit setting


• Polish

Wire Wrapping

• How to wire wrap gemstones

Mineral Appreciation

Costs and Other Arrangements

The cost is $30 per person per weekend; minimum cost for these weekend courses is $300 (i.e. 10 people need to attend). If more than 10 people attend the cost is still $30 per person with the extra going to the G & L Council to help cover transport costs. If less than 10 people attend, your Club should enquire if another club could join in or the remaining number of people woud need to agree to make up the shortfall - i.e. if 6 people that would be $50.00 each per weekend, or if 8 people then $37.50 each per weekend.

Payments are made to the Gem & Lapidary Council who reimburses the tutor (including transport costs).

Accommodation (billet or Caravan Park or parking) is provided by the club together with lunches.

Educational Video Loan - A Service to Member Clubs

Why not enjoy a video at your next Club meeting or social?
Council's video library has the following titles available for your Club to borrow. Just fill in the form below with your selected video/videos, and send to the Secretary. There is now no hire fee, Council will send the video at its expense.

You are responsible for its return, in good order.

"Australia's Hidden Wealth ... Across the Red Centre" narrated by John Stanton 90mins VHS
"Gemstones of America," hosted by Efrem Zimbalist 60mins VHS
"The Stewart Tourmaline Story" - Pala 57mins WHS
"Fossicking for Topaz" - Mt Surprise, Central Qld, John Taylor 37mins
"Wire Jewellery"
"Cuttlefish Casting," Nelson Robertson
"Mt St Helensn (90mins) & "Kilauean (30mins) volcanic eruptions WHS
"The Broken Hill GEMBOREE Centenary 1983" BETA
"Diamond Setting - Bead & Bright Cut" - can be shown in 2 sections 2 hours
"Pearl & Bead Threading" with Henrietta
"The Tucson Experience,"The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
"Gemstone Carving"

Click here to download the Order Form

Does your Club have a video, on any lapidary topic, others are likely find of interest?
The Council is happy to consider it for inclusion in its video library. If you do have something, please tell the Secretary.

Do you remember, last year we asked if anyone had suggestions to add to this
list? If you find anything you think worthwhile adding to this list, tell the Council -
either drop a note to the Secretary, or phone or email someone listed on our contacts page.

Nelson Robertson Tel (02) 4385 4495
Education Officer