2024 Annual Seminar & Faceting Workshop

Every August, the Midwest Faceter's Guild hosts an annual faceting seminar where beginning faceters come to learn the art of faceting, and intermediate faceters come to increase their skills.

​The weekend offers hands-on instruction by experienced faceters while providing lots of time together for education, practice, and community. Experts in the field are often present to share tips and tricks. This year we've expanded the Annual Seminar weekend to include an Intermediate level course led by Michael Holmes and assisted by Dan Lynch and Roger Dery.

There will also be a Saturday evening Dinner with Special Presentation by Dan Lynch. Tickets available below. Due to system limitations you must purchase your dinner ticket in a different transaction from your seminar reservation. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Don't wait! These classes will fill quickly.

Dates & Location:
Friday, August 9 - Sunday, August 11th, 2024
Tallmadge Township Offices
O-1451 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
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SEMINAR Schedule

​​Friday Evening: Meet & Greet, Machine Setup, and more. 

Saturday: Coffee & introductions, Day 1 Class, Lunch TBA,

Dinner with Presentation by Guest Speaker Dan Lynch: "A Faceting Journey" 
In this presentation, former USFG president Dan Lynch will walk through 2 & 1/2 decades of gemstone faceting including tips, tricks, and things he wishes he had learned sooner. There will be something for faceters of all levels. Tickets are available online below ($20) and at the door ($25). Attendance in a faceting class is NOT REQUIRED. 
Due to system limitations you must purchase your dinner ticket in a different transaction from your seminar reservation. Sorry for the inconvenience!​
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Sunday: Day 2 Class, Lunch TBA, Cleanup (Most students are finished by 4 pm)
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• A schedule with more detailed information will be mailed upon receipt of your online registration.​
• If you mail your registration, confirmation will be sent via mail upon confirmation. 
• If you do not receive information, please contact us.

Beginner Faceting 2024

Beginner Faceting Class 2024

$200.00

Learn to Facet! Join the Midwest Faceters Guild for a Beginner Faceting class on August 9th, 10th, & 11th, 2024. A small group of students will receive personalized instruction from experienced Guild members in a group setting. You'll complete a faceted stone (start to finish) during this class.

• Notes: Receipt of payment secures your seat in the seminar. Don't wait!
• Limited seats are available. First come, first served.
• The class fee is non-refundable. However, if you register by mail and the class is full, your payment will be returned.

Register as a Beginner

Intro to Faceting 2024 (Beginners)

• This is a "First Come First Served" registration process. Students may register online or by mail.
• Beginner class size is limited to 12.
• ​Students will facet a stone start to finish.
• Multiple experienced instructors are available and teacher to student ratios are usually 1:1 or 1:2.
• Cost: $200
• All equipment and supplies are provided. (You're encouraged to bring your faceting machine if you own one.)
• This class is open to students without any experience or new faceters who want the structure of another intro class.
• The curriculum was developed by the education committee of the Midwest Faceter's Guild. All students will receive a notebook of detailed information to be used for notes, insight, and future faceting.
• The class fee is non-refundable, however if you mail your registration and spots are full, your check will be returned.​
• Once all seats are sold, you may email us to be added to the waiting list. 

Intermediate Faceting 2024

**New format this year!!**

• This is a "First Come First Served" registration process.
• Intermediate class size is limited to 10.
• ​Students are asked to bring their own faceting machine.
• Cost $200
• Class fee is non-refundable, however if you mail your registration and spots are full, your check will be returned.​
• Once all seats are sold, you may email us to be added to the waiting list.
  

Intermediate Faceting Class 2024

$200.00

Expand your faceting knowledge & skill set!

Join the Midwest Faceters Guild for an

Intermediate Faceting class with Guest Instructor Michael Holmes

on August 9th, 10th, & 11th, 2024.

• Notes: Receipt of payment secures your seat in the seminar. Don't wait!
• Limited seats are available. First come, first served.
• The class fee is non-refundable. However, if you register by mail and the class is full, your payment will be returned.

Register as Intermediate

Guest Instructor: Michael Holmes
Michael Holmes is a faceter and graphic designer based in Pennsylvania. He faceted his first stone in 2014 and purchased his own machine in 2020. Throughout the years, he has taught various subjects, including Motorcycle Safety, English, and personal faceting lessons. He is passionate about gem design and community and is excited to help other gemcutters find efficiencies, reduce stress, and have more fun!

Assisted by:
Dan Lynch 
Dan has been faceting gemstones for more than two decades and has had a love of mineralogy as long as he can remember. Dan holds degrees in Geology and is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and is currently working on his MMS degree from Texas A&M University.  Dan is a form USFG President and the current Treasurer of the organization. Dan is married to his high school sweetheart Kim, has three kids and five grandchildren who call him Diddy.

Roger Dery
Roger has been an award-winning precision faceter, passionate about holistic sourcing, education, and giving back to mining communities since 1981. Together with his family, they believe in the power of sharing the story behind the gems and leaving a legacy at the source of every gemstone. 
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Or YOU MAY register by mail:
if you mail your registration and spots are full, your check will be returned.​

Download Registration Form

Saturday Night PRESENTATION W/ CATERED Dinner

"A Faceting Journey" with Dan Lynch

​In this presentation, former USFG president Dan Lynch will walk through 2 & 1/2 decades of gemstone faceting including tips, tricks, and things he wishes he had learned sooner. There will be something for faceters of all levels.

Dan is a GIA Graduate Gemologist who has been faceting gems for over 20 years. He was certified at the Master level in the United States Faceting Guild competition. Dan holds a degree in geology and has traveled extensively mining and purchasing gem rough both domestically and overseas.

Attendance at faceting classes is NOT REQUIRED. All are welcome.

Location: O-1428 Leonard SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Location is in the church across the street from the faceting seminar.
Time: 5:45 pm
Online reservations have closed. Remaining tickets are $25 at the door.

NOTE: Dinner location is across the street from the Seminar Location

Seminar location

Tallmadge Township Offices
O-1451 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534

NOTE: This location sometimes confuses GPS systems!! The letter "O" in the address is important.
There is another almost exact address in a different county!

​If you have any doubts, please look for the "Tallmadge Township Offices" in Ottawa County, MI.

Faceting Seminar Lodging Options

​There are hotels, restaurants and shops within a reasonable distance.

Hotels

Sleep Inn & Suites
4869 Becker Dr.
Allendale, MI 49401
616-892-8000 
​
Baymont Inn & Suites
5151 Holton Ct
Walker MI
616-735-9595
 
Quality Inn North
2171 Holton Ct
Walker MI
616-791-8500 

Holiday Inn Express North
358 River Ridge Dr
Walker MI
616-647-4100

The beach on Lake Michigan in Grand Haven, MI

Camping

Some attendees prefer to camp in one of our scenic Michigan parks or campgrounds near the Lakeshore.

Here are several options west of our seminar location, which is a longer drive than the hotels listed above.

West MI Camping

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