I love faceting gems because each piece of rough is so unique. Deciding on its final shape allows all my creativity to come into play. Having the freedom to choose what the gemstone will look like is always exciting! Especially when the plan comes together (which doesn’t always happen) and then even I am surprised by the beauty!

My life changed one day when Roger Dery did a faceting demonstration in the jewelry store I worked at. I tried it for a few minutes and that’s all it took, I was hooked! I had the chance to place a few facets and I was hooked! I love the structure, precision, and planning that goes into every gemstone.

Every day is different and that is the best part! Some days are filled with planning what to cut, some spent cutting, some filled with paperwork, emails, and texts (yes, there’s that in faceting too!). Having the ability to structure the day however I want to is an enormous blessing! The key to every day is starting with coffee and doggy time!

Most rough tells me what it wants to be. Some have multiple options which can be equally exciting and frustrating. Some take work to make anything useful from them. I always try to make the most of every piece of rough without too much waste, but in the end a beautiful gem is worth losing a little extra weight. Sometimes I’m at a loss as to what to cut from a piece of rough. I set those pieces aside until they let me know which direction to go!

I have been in the industry for quite a few years. I love to see something new or something done in a new way. Being inspired by the rough helps choose which direction to go. I tend toward larger and fewer facets in my style and letting the material speak for itself.