Our Competitions
Multiple faceting Competitions are run through the year and are suited towards any level of experience. Even the beginner can strive towards the standard of excellence by participating in Competitions that are made available. Our Competitions include an Annual Competition which attracts entries not only from our members but also from other International, National, State, and Club level Competitors.
A Mini Competition is also available for Members Only, who wish to widen their skills at faceting some of the more challenging materials. This Mini Competition forms an ideal entry into Competitions for our members, without the pressure associated with competing in more significant Competitions. The Mini Competition also suits members with any skill level, from the beginner through to the experienced facetor.
Smaller Competitions are also available at each of our Workshops for Members participate with. Plus, we regularly encouraged members to enter other external Competitions at National, State and Club levels. It is very encouraging to see so many VFG members amongst the winners of these competitions; it certainly puts the VFG onto the map.
2024 Annual Competition
Entries for this Competition are now open.
All Entries with an official Entry Form MUST be received no later than the 26th of August 2024. Competition Awards and Results will be at the Marong Workshop. Click the button below for more information.
The Victorian Facetors’ Group Inc. stages this Faceting Competition to provide an opportunity for its members and others to widen their lapidary skills of how to polish stones while at the same time being introduced to the higher level of excellence that is only achievable through the competitive nature of Competitions.
People are encouraged to participate whether they are complete beginners or even seasoned competitors, as the knowledge gained from entering Competitions is well rewarded and shown by the quality of the stones you skillfully cut and polish.
Section Awards
*Each Section will be awarded a Medallion and Certificate for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Places.
(*Where ‘Sufficient Entries’ and ‘Standard’ have been received.)
A Special Award may be nominated at the Committee’s discretion where there are insufficient entries in a Section. Such an award will not exclude a competitor from entering the same section in future competitions. A Special Award may also be given where it is deemed unfair to escalate a competitor to a higher level of Competition.
Trophy Awards
A Certificate and Trophy will be awarded to the Winner in each Division for the Champion, Novice, Intermediate, and Open Competitors. A Certificate and Medallion are awarded for the 2nd & 3rd places.
The ‘Rick Parker Perpetual Trophy for the Robert W. Strickland Free Form Design’ will be awarded for the winning Free Form O.10.3 Entry. The Trophy engraved with the Winner’s Name will be presented at the Marong Workshop. The Winner also receives a Keeper Trophy and Certificate. The Perpetual Trophy will be retained by the V.F.G. and displayed at each Workshop.
A Trophy will be awarded to the Entrant with the Highest Scoring Entry, regardless of the Section or Division entered.
Free Form Trophy Winners
2023 Trophy Winner – Gordon Woithe.
2022 Trophy Winner – Bill Bennett.
2021 Trophy Winner – John Honan.
2020 Trophy Winner – Cliff Doornkamp.
2019 Trophy Winner – Cliff Doornkamp, pictured above.
2018 Trophy Winner – John Clyde.
2017 Trophy Winner – John Honan.
2016 Trophy Winner – John Clyde.
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The Rick Parker Perpetual Trophy Faceting Competition Winners
Mini Competition
PLEASE NOTE:
This Competition is for Members Only!
INTRODUCTION
Our Mini Competition is quite unique in many ways. This Competition is for Members Only, who wish to widen their skills at faceting some of the more challenging materials. We started the ball rolling by selecting ‘Fluorite’ as the material, and from that point forward, the winner gets to choose the next material to use.
By competing, members will gain valuable knowledge and experience working with different types of faceting rough. They get the opportunity to cut and polish materials that they would not normally consider using.
The competition is run twice (or more) throughout the year and is designed to offer some challenges and fun along the way. The competition is also designed to recognise the efforts of the less experienced too. Having Awards based on three different Classes, the less experienced could quite possibly pick up an Award for their efforts.
The Mini Competition forms an ideal entry into Competitions for our members without the pressure associated with competing in more significant Competitions. The Mini Competition also suits members with any skill level, from the beginner through to the experienced facetor.
DESCRIPTION
The concept is to introduce an internal (Level 1) competition that focuses on different materials outside of what is ordinarily available through outside Competition. In other words, NOT Corundum, Topaz, Quartz, CZ, Spinel or other common materials usually found in a competition.
Why Level 1, you may ask?
- To encourage new competitors without the intimidation that larger competitions create.
- So that a competitor is not pushed up into a higher level when entering outside competitions.
- Keeps the competition within our own members.
Why odd materials?
- The Focus will be on dealing with different and sometimes difficult materials; not necessarily on intricate designs.
- Has the potential to add to Workshop discussions, and to widen the skill-set of members faceting.
- The base set for this competition, good or bad or indifferent, is the same for all facetors; everyone will face the same challenges with the material.
Selection of Material?
- We started the ball rolling by nominating one material. (Fluorite).
- The winner of Class “A” will then select the next material, and so on.
How will people enter the Competition?
- There will be ONE Competition to enter. (Regardless of your ability)
- All entries will be judged using the standard rules and judging process. (Current Judging and rules Manual).
- Judged entries will then be classified according to points into Class “A”, “B” or “C”, with Class “A” being the most experienced through to Class “C” being the beginner.
- This way, the experienced are competing against the experienced, and the beginners are competing against the beginners, so are the ones in between.
How will the ‘Classes’ be determined?
- By splitting the Classes across all entries as judged. In other words, divide the difference between the highest and lowest scoring entries into 3, to set the goal-posts for the Classes.
- This will result in ‘floating’ goal posts that stay in tune with the difficulty of the material.
Other Competitions
Smaller Competitions are provided at each of our Workshops, to help members improve their technique of faceting. We also encourage members to support other external Competitions, including International, National, State, and at Club Level. It is always encouraging to see VFG names amongst the winners of these external competitions.
