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. In 2024, we’ve expanded the Annual Seminar weekend to include an Intermediate level course.

We are also planning  a Saturday evening Dinner with Special Presentation with a guest speaker.  Tickets will be made available when we finalize our plans. 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: Registration is open for the Intermediate Session.
August 2026 Dates: 7th, 8th & 9th
Tallmadge Township Offices
O-1451 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534

A Testimonial about our 2025 Beginner’s session from one of out Beginner Students, Steve Richert. Checkout his video at this link: 2025 Annual Seminar Beginner’s session

Due to system limitations you must purchase your dinner ticket in a different transaction from your seminar reservation. Sorry for the inconvenience!​

Sunday: Day 2 Class, Lunch TBA, Cleanup (Most students are finished by 4 pm)

• 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.

$250.00

Learn to Facet! Join the Midwest Faceters Guild for a Beginner Faceting class in August 2026. 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.

This 2026 Beginners Class is SOLD OUT! Thank you for your support!

If you would like to be placed on a wait list please click on this link Contact Us and include “Wait List Beginners Seminar” in the note.

Registrations for Beginners. Registration is now closed.

• 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 if the class is full, your payment will be returned.

Intro to Faceting 2026 (Beginners) Dates in August 2026 is SOLD OUT

If you would like to be placed on a wait list please click on this link Contact Us and include “Wait List Beginners Seminar” in the note.

• This is a “First Come First Served” registration process. Students may register online or by mail.
• Beginner class size is limited to 15.
• ​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: to be announced.
• 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 a formal 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 Seminar in Aug 2026

This class is designed for the faceter who has cut more than 15 stones and is looking to improve their cutting technique.  Our instructors will offer guidance and  advice through all the different steps from cutting to polishing. The session is self paced and many of the attendees complete more than one stone over the 2 days. We recommend you bring your own equipment.

• 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 $250
• 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.

August 7th, 8th and 9th 2026

Expand your faceting knowledge & skill set!

Join the Midwest Faceters Guild for an

Intermediate Faceting class with Guest Instructor Michael Holmes

in August 2026.

• 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.

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!

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.

if you mail your registration and spots are full, your check will be returned.​

We’re pleased to welcome guest speaker Keith Harrigill for our Saturday-evening dinner presentation. A phenomenal faceter and instructor, Keith will share his adventure to Africa — the culture, the mines, and the journey along the way.

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.

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

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

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.

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