January 2022
Welcome to the SomeTimes Newsletter!

Happy 2022! It is exciting to be able to get back to face-to-face activities this year. Though the last two years have been encouraging due to the large numbers of new people entering the lapidary and faceting fields for the first time -- there is no replacement for a real live meet-up.


Please Note: The dates of the OPLC event and the Booth Numbers of TGMS Event have changed!!
Tucson Faceting Symposium
Tuscon OPLC, Feb 3 - 5

WHEN? THURSDAY FEB 3  ▪ FRIDAY FEB 4  ▪ SATURDAY FEB 5
(PLEASE NOTE: THESE ARE CORRECTED DATES!!)
WHERE:   OLD PUEBLO LAPIDARY CLUB
Address: 3119 NORTH DALE AVE  ▪ TUCSON
Organized by the USFG

The event used to be called the FACETERS’ FROLIC – and then the 'let’s-get-serious folks' got in charge and renamed it TUCSON FACETING SYMPOSIUM – offering serious lectures and demonstrations about gem faceting – stuff you want to learn..although …smiling and frolicking allowed!

LECTURES and PRESENTATIONS start at 9AM each day.

Of special interest to you ULTRA TEC folks…

SEE ULTRA TEC EQUIPMENT - A show table will be set up – every day all day – tended by Dave Smith (Faceters Paradise) – showing our faceting machines.

▪  Classic Cutting, Design & Marketing -- Derek Katzenbach. Derek will share his experiences selling colored gemstones to jewelry stores and custom
jewelers. Arya Akhavan. Arya will be presenting an introductory course on components of Gem Cut Studio that relate to design optimization.

▪  Fantasy Cutting -- The popularity of Fantasy cutting grows and grows. It’s an exciting mixture of Art and Mathematics – inspiration and skill. The FRIDAY 6PM grand finale will be on the subject of Fantasy cutting presented by Fantasy cutter Nolan Sponsler.

▪  Faceting Class – Interested? A two-day class (Friday and Saturday) is being offered – and you need to sign up in advance. Don’t dawdle. – go on line and see USFG Faceting Symposium 2022 - find the details of signing up. Teaching will be faceters Tom Mitchell and Dave Richardson. Learning will be you.

▪  Shopping for Gem Rough? - would you benefit from having a savvy friend – a pal - to guide you in your search? It would be nice and comfortable to have master faceter Scott Sucher be your pal on the rough buying tour that the Symposium is sponsoring. This is another “don’t dawdle” event (go on line and see USFG Faceting Symposium 2022 - find the details of signing up).

▪  Meet people – make friends.  Are you already a member of the Ultra Tec family? The Symposium is a chance to meet some “cousins” - All of them nice – many of them faceting experts.
 
See more details on the Announcement document from the USFG
Tucson Gem & Mineral Society (TGMS 2022)

…back in action after last year’s shut down!

WHEN? THURSDAY FEB 10 through Sunday 13th
WHERE:   Booths #1701 to 1703 , TUCSON Convention Center (note: the booth numbers have changed!)
Tickets are $13 per day for adults.

ULTRA TEC will be there – and hopefully you’ll be there. . Robert Mendoza, taking a week off from daily work at the factory, will be el capitán of the Booth. You’ve likely spoken to him before. He can answer questions you may have – the equipments on hand for showing and telling include the V5 Classic, the VL Classic, the Fantasy Machine, and the (new) Glass Tec.

Robert is unlikely to be alone when you stop by – ULTRA TEC Reps who plan to visit (all faceters and all friendly - and all un-shy about answering questions) include Scott Sucher, Dave Smith, Ron Snelling, Tom Mitchell – and if I had a nickel for every other Rep who turns up it would pay for lunch (and I’m not even counting you).
Tom Mitchell (above) and David Smith (below)
New Article: "Faceting Your First Ten Gemstones" by Mark Oros
Renowned faceter and ULTRA TEC dealer, Mark Oros of Hashnu Stones & Gems, has recently written a new article with new faceters in mind - especially when live instruction may not be possible. We are pleased to share it with you.

"Faceting Your First Ten Gemstones" makes many excellent suggestions for getting into good habits so you can become quickly proficient and receive the rewards of the gem faceting.


Visit the Hashnu Website

New Instructional Video - Repairing a Damaged 5 carat Sapphire
More Video suggestions to pique your interest can be found at our
New ULTRA TEC Feature
in Rock & Gem Magazine
New Feature!
2022 "Tools of The Trade" Feature

The February 2022 issue of Rock & Gem Magazine featured a section on ULTRA TEC users and their experiences with our equipment.

Thanks to Andrew Stuart, Tara Coomber, Jack Chong, and Nolan Sponsler for sharing your stories and words of wisdom!

Pick up your own copy of the magazine at booksellers and newsstands, or purchase a hard copy or a download at this link
VL Classic Faceting Machine
The Newest Member of the Faceting Team!
ULTRA TEC is proud to offer the VL Classic Faceting Machine.

VL incorporates both brand new and classic features and is sturdy and responsive. VL is designed for both new and experienced cutters -who may well appreciate VL’s quality build and ease-of-use.

Full VL machine packages start from only US $3,790.

Rapidly becoming a ‘new classic’, VL is available with the Analog Angle Dial and Dial Indicator Readout (Standard), or upgraded with the Digital Angle Display (DAD), which replaces the Analog Angle Dial & Dial Indicator.
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Shortform Price List   
Please Note: Prices are in US Dollars FOB Santa Ana, CA. Specifications and prices are subject to change at any time without notification.
Visit our Webstore   
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The World's Finest Faceting Equipment...
Thank you again for your interest in our lapidary products. Until the next SomeTimes Newsletter!

Sincerely,

The ULTRA TEC Team