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-- Mail to barbara@acstones.com

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About The Cutters

Below is information on the cutters whose work meets the high standards of the ACS site. Their pieces will be displayed on an ongoing basis. They are listed chronologically by length of time associated with ACS:

To see the pieces by any of these individuals, simply enter their intials, ex. BB, GG, BWS, etc. into the search dialog box using the "Search our Catalog" link above, or at the top of the red navigation bar on the homepage.

Introducing: Barbara Smigel, Facetor, Graduate Gemologist: Las Vegas, Nevada

I'm the owner and webmaster of ACS, a Graduate Gemologist (GIA) and gemology instructor. Although this site started as a venue for my own faceting efforts, these days I am but an occasional contributor of faceted stones to the offerings. When available, "BWS" will follow the descriptions of my gems. With my collaborator, Felipe Sandoval, (see below) I produce the custom jewerly line: BWS/FS Designs which is exclusive to ACS, You can call me at (702) 384-4234 or email me at barbara@acstones.com

Introducing: Gerry Galarneau, Lapidary Artist: Phoenix, Arizona.

Many years of cabbing, carving and faceting all types of gem materials have made Gerry Galarneau an absolute master of each technique and material. His creative cabs and faceted stones, including concave cut pieces, will be featured prominently at this site. "GG" follows the description of his productions. Gerry can be contacted at (602)-678-5597 and P.O. Box 47056, Phoenix, AZ 85068

Introducing: Keith Horst, Lapidary Artist, Prescott Arizona

Some of the most distinctive cabochons available anywhere come from Keith Horst, of A&K Gems and Minerals. Keith's gracefully thin creations feature unusual materials with exotic and lovely patterns, often in superbly matched pairs. He has an extensive knowledge of field geology and many of his materials are self collected. Keith also teaches lapidary at an Arizona college. "KH" follows the description of his cabs. He can be contacted through A & K Gems and Minerals , P.O. Box 4362 Prescott, AZ. 86302 (928) 778-7243

Introducing: Barry Bridgestock, Lapidary Artist: Yuma, Arizona

Barry has made optimal brilliance, precise placement of facets, and extremely high polish, using very clean material, the main priorities for his faceted stones. His stones have been used in award winning jewelry pieces over the years, and he is is constantly looking for new and attractive gem rough. One of Barry's specialties in faceting is a group of oval cuts called "supernovas", which overcome the traditional shadowing and extinction inherent to the oval shape and sparkle with light at every angle. He enjoys the challenges of creating insets of faceted stones within cabbed pieces and is able to create carved gems that possess unusual optical qualities. Tourmaline and rare garnets are his favorite gem materials. "BB" will follow the descriptions of his pieces. He can be reached by email at bridgestock@theriver.com or by phone at 928-342-2278.

Introducing: Ben Kho, Facetor and Jeweler: Decatur, Georgia

Ben Kho has a well established reputation in the gem cutting community. As a long time AGTA member he takes special care in describing his gems accurately, especially with regard to provenance and any enhancements. His custom cuts on both jewelry stones and collectable gems, have been featured in magazines like Lapidary Journal and Colored Stone and he has won the AGTA's top faceting award three times previously, and has once again gained this honor for 2005. His degree of expertise with tricky material is well known, and he is acknowledged as one of the premier rhodocrosite, Benitoite, and sphalerite cutters in the world. One of his specialties is reworking of native cut gemstones (like sapphires, rubies and emeralds) to give them enhanced brilliance and proportion with minimal loss of weight. He is also an excellent jewelry designer and goldsmith. "BK" will follow descriptions of his gem and jewelry pieces.

Introducing: Joel Baskin, Lapidary Artist/Jewerly Designer: Wolf Creek, Oregon

Joel is a consummate artist with cabochons. His attention to the details of pattern, design, edging and polish is evident in every cabochon that leaves his wheel. He seeks out the highest grade material and has an especially fine eye for dramatic patterns in agates and jaspers and a notable ability to get a superior polish on jade. He is also a talented carver, facetor, and jewelry designer. (These abilities seem to run in his family as both his brother and son produce extraordinary jewelry designs as well.) "JB" will follow the descriptions of his pieces. He can be reached at (541) 479-3505

Introducing: Michael Edwards, Facetor: Ramona, California

Michael began his cutting career as an optician, grinding lenses for eyeglasses. In 1979 he was introduced to faceting and has been doing it, full-time, ever since. He began his current specialty of concave faceting in 1997 and has brought the process to technical perfection. He is a self-described cutting addict, who says "I can't let a day go by without cutting a stone". He received the 2004 Honorable Mention Award (out of 564 entries) in his first bid for an AGTA Spectrum Faceting Award. "ME" will be the designator used to indentify his concaved, faceted pieces which will be frequent additons to the ACS site.

Introducing: Felipe Sandoval, Goldsmith and Master Jeweler: Las Vegas, Nevada

Felipe is my partner in the production of the jewelry line, BWS/FS Designs, which is exclusive to ACS. More than 35 years as a bench jeweler has enabled Felipe to master all aspects of the custom jewelry art and craft, from refining and alloying metals to fabrication and casting. He works primarily in gold but is equally adept at silver and platinum work and his gem setting skills are extraordinary. Early in his career he worked in Mexico, then in a number of jewelry stores in major Las Vegas hotels, and finally in the last couple of decades as the owner of a custom jewelry business, Gold Crafters, in Las Vegas. He can be reached there at 702-735-4500 (9AM- 5PM, M-F, Pacific Time).

Introducing: Carey Robbins: Lapidary and Gem Carver: Bend, Oregon.

Carey says "beauty is primary, yield-secondary" and has as his overall goal "dynamic form and symmetry in a well finished stone". With patterned rough, he attempts to orient the pattern to its most esthetic position and to balance the finished stone in a way that makes it easy for a metal artist to incorporate it into his or her work. "CR" will indicate Carey's pieces. He can be reached at (541) 383-5821

To see the pieces cut by any of these individuals, simply enter their intials, ex. BB, GG, BWS, etc. into the search dialog box using the "Search our Catalog" link below, or at the top of the red navigation bar on the homepage.

-- Mail to barbara@acstones.com

{Search our Catalog}