[Rockhounds] Faceting computer

[Rock Currier]

Don's right, that computer faceting outfit would make a hash out of most 
natural gem rough. I think the guys that designed it were obviously machine 
tool guys that didn't know anything much about mineralogy. The system would 
work great for isotropic stones that were all of uniform color intensity and 
without flaws, which is so rarely the case with natural gem rough, that it 
isn't worth talking about. It is however the first step in what may be in a 
generation or two a system that might be useful in cutting stones. Now they 
have to work on the hard part, to somehow create a program that is smart 
enough to know all about cleavage, refractive index, dichroism, dispersion, 
inclusions, color zoning etc and to be able to take all this and to make 
reasonable judgements about how to get the most valuable stone out of the 
rough. Oh, and don't forget the demands of the market place and fashion that 
influince the kinds of stontes that are in fashion this year. I think this 
device will start to replace skilled stone cutters about the time they learn 
to cure the common cold which does not appear to be any time soon.
Rock