USFG Announces 2011 Seminar Schedule

Presenters for Tucson 2011

Monday, 31 January:

John Bailey: buying rough at shows: tools & techniques

Tuesday, 01 February:

L. Bruce Jones: discussion of gemology for faceters

Wednesday, 02 Feb:

Wayne Emery: professional dopping techniques

Thursday, 03 Feb:

Dalan Hargrave: concave faceting and other innovated techniques

Friday, 04 Feb:

Stephen Kotlowski: performing faceting work for the trade; making the transition from hobby to income producing

Seminars begin promptly at 9:00am and will take place in the north-east end of the tent section of the Electric Park Complex. Elayne Luer, GG of AboutLapidary has been gracious enough to offer a section of her tent space so that the seminars have a home. Each seminar should last one hour, and there will be ample time to answer your individual questions. There will be supplied seating for 36. And, coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Please know that the presenters have all volunteered their time and expertise. And have borne the expense of being at Tucson. The USFG is deeply indebted tothem for their service and contributions to the faceting community.

If you are a current member of the United States Faceters Guild, there is no charge for you to participate in any of the presentations. If you are not a member, we'd love to have you join us at Tucson, however there will be a nominal charge of $10 per session. (Or, maybe you should just join the USFG; an annual membership is only $18.) Membership is open to all, and you do not have to be a US citizen.

Photo Credit - Dalan Hargrave's 2010 Cutting Edge Award Winning Sunstone - Photo: Robert Weldon

Michael Dyber - American Wins Idar-Oberstein Cutting Competition!

Michael M. Dyber. of New Hampshire, is the only American to win the First prize twice in the 40 years of the most prestigious gemstone cutting competition in the world “The 40th German Award for Jewellery and Precious Stones, Idar-Oberstein 2009”

Mr. Dyber’s first prize winner is a 113.24 ct. Aquamarine. Utilizing his signature lapidary techniques: “Dyber Optic Dish” ™ and now his newest technique the “Photon Phacet” ™ the Aquamarine was designed and cut so that it reflects optical illusions in three dimensions. It was completely cut by hand on equipment built by Michael in his New Hampshire studio.

This year's theme was “Long Live the Reflection”
The pieces could be unmounted gemstones, gemstones in finished jewellery (in this case only precious metals were allowed), gemstone objects and gemstone sculptures.

“This award represents another step forward in my endless pursuit of infinite gem designing.” says Michael.

“The 40th German Award for Jewellery and Precious Stones, Idar-Oberstein 2009” is presented by the Federal Association of the Precious Stones and Diamond Industry, in the German Capital of the gemstone industry, Idar-Oberstein, Germany.

see: http://www.bv-edelsteine-diamanten.de/files/schmuckpreis.htm for more information.

Each year, artists, lapidary artists, jewelers and designers from around the world compete for this coveted award.

In February, Dyber was awarded a Grand Prize, in the 2009 AGTA Spectrum - Cutting Edge Competition, at the AGTA Gem Fair Tucson 2009. The first place winner was an 89.79 ct Aquamarine, and was cut utilizing his signature lapidary techniques: “Dyber Optic Dish”™ and the “Photon Phacet” ™

Mr. Dyber’s ever changing collection of signed original creations can be seen at his booth at AGTA Gem Fair Tucson 2010, Booth 106, Feb. 2-7, 2010.