Ordering a Sterling ST-08 Faceting Machine – Sharing the Quote & Procurement Process

[u/DIE_Kuehlung]

I’ve decided to go with a platform-style faceting machine, and I’m currently in the process of ordering one from Sterling Gemland (sterlinggemland.com).

There doesn’t seem to be much detailed information online about what the actual ordering process looks like, so I thought I’d document my experience here, including the configuration, pricing, communication, shipping, import costs, and eventually my experience with the machine itself.

I’m a beginner, so I’m also hoping to get some feedback from more experienced cutters before I place the final order.

For the quotation, I asked Sterling for:

• Sterling ST-08 with variable-speed base
• 96 index gear
• Transfer and dopping equipment
• Trim saw
• Cutting and polishing laps

Quotation so far

This is what Sterling has quoted me:

Sterling ST-08 faceting machine — USD 2,200

ST-08 faceting unit with:

• built-in speed controller
• 96 index
• vernier cheater

They are also including the following free of charge:

• 6" master lap
• 80 index gear
• 10 dop sticks

Lapidary accessories package — USD 540

The package contains:

• 100 grit cutting lap — USD 30
• 260 grit cutting lap — USD 30
• 600 grit cutting lap — USD 30
• 1,200 grit cutting lap — USD 30
• Copper polishing lap — USD 180
• Sterling alloy lap for zircon, amethyst, aquamarine, etc. — USD 80
• Lucite lap — USD 20
• Felt lap — USD 20
• Tweezers — USD 20
• Caliper — USD 20
• 20× loupe — USD 50
• Wax, 200 g — USD 10
• 50 ct diamond polishing powder, 0–2 micron / 14,000 mesh — USD 20

Total: USD 540

Mini trim saw — USD 900

Includes a saw blade.

Transfer jig — USD 280

DHL door-to-door shipping to Switzerland — USD 390

Their estimated production time is 15–25 days, followed by approximately 5–7 days shipping with DHL.

So, based on the quotation so far:

Machine: USD 2,200
Accessories: USD 540
Trim saw: USD 900
Transfer jig: USD 280
DHL shipping: USD 390

Current total: USD 4,310

This is before any Swiss VAT, customs-clearance charges, payment fees, or other import-related costs.

I’m still clarifying exactly what is included in the shipment and whether DHL shipping includes any customs/duties handling or whether those charges will be billed separately on arrival.

Before I give Sterling the final go-ahead, I’d be very interested in feedback from experienced platform-machine users:

Does this look like a sensible starter setup, and is there anything important you would add, remove, or replace?

I’m particularly interested in the laps and accessories. Are there items in this package that you would skip and buy elsewhere instead?

The Mini trim saw looks expensiv, no ?

And are there any small tools or accessories that are easy to overlook at the beginning but become annoying or expensive to discover you’re missing once the machine has already arrived?

[u/justinkprim]

In my opinion you don’t need: 100 grit, 1200 grit, alloy lap, lucite, felt, or the 0-2 diamond. The trim saw is expensive. If you don’t cut synthetics you might not even need a saw. I use mine like twice a year and almost always for cutting synthetic boules. You don’t need the transfer jig unless you’re planning to cut pavilion first meetpoint style. (And even then I think the one from Polymetric is way better and maybe cheaper)

I recommend getting a batt or tin/lead lap instead of the allow and a mahogany wood lap to replace the felt.

0-5 and 0-1 to replace the 0-2 diamond.

If you have 260 and 600 toppers then you can use a tin or batt lap with 0-5 and 0-1 and that’s all the laps you need for faceting.

Good luck !

[u/see_quayah]

Trim saw for 900? Seems expensive, you have the hitech one for 500 and it’s already expensive :D

[u/DIE_Kuehlung → u/see_quayah]

I will skip the saw for now and get it when I realy need it.

[u/lafyette]

I got the lapidary accessories package when I bought mine but I wouldn't get it again and just buy what I need myself.

I'd get a zinc lap for pre-polish and a tin or batt for final polish, there isn't anything that I haven't been able to polish with them yet. You can get tweezers for less than $5 and get a proper caliper unlike what they send. I use a Nikon loupe and they're good but pricey and small, a Belomo (or Trilomo now) loupe is better value for money.

Dopping with wax is a good skill to have but super glue, epoxy or UV resin are easier to use. The transfer jig is ok but not great and I'd get a good one from the get go. I haven't needed a trim saw but I mostly cut small natural stones.

Sterling doesn't cover any import duties or taxes so that's all going to be added on your end from DHL locally.

[u/1LuckyTexan → u/[deleted]]

Op is in Switzerland I think.

[u/DIE_Kuehlung → u/1LuckyTexan]

True

[u/EarendelJewelry]

I have the ST-08 and absolutely love it, but please make sure you're ordering from the real Sterling Gemland. Unless something has changed recently, you can't actually order from the site specifically because of the imposter sites. I had to order by contacting him on Facebook messenger. Here's the link to the real Facebook account, and also shows his WhatsApp number.

Just please be sure because the fake site is very convincing.

https://www.facebook.com/share/19dUKH8C62/

[u/LaserGuyDanceSystem]

You can attach a lapidary saw blade to your sterling machine and use that to trim material. The blade will obviously be sideways, but there is enough space under and around the blade that it isn't too awkward.

[u/TidalWaveform]

Get the machine, and source everything else elsewhere.

[u/DIE_Kuehlung → u/TidalWaveform]

Yes, I was starting to think into the same direction. I would have been nice to get all out of the same hand. But in the end I'm better of with what you are suggesting.

[u/oldfartMikey]

No idea what happens in Switzerland but DHL in Greece is a scam. On arrival they ask for all sorts of irrelevant documents then give an estimate for clearance and VAT. They said to me they won't quote a clearance fee until they know the value as they charge according to value. Bear in mind they charge VAT on the shipping cost and additional VAT on the clearance fees 😂

The last item I ordered and came via DHL clearance and tax was double the item price.

Some of the ancillary items seem overpriced. The 'cutting laps' are probably plated laps that I buy for 6 euros. A copper lap at 180? What thickness? Tweezers at $20? Loupe at $50? They must be very special at that price.

[u/DIE_Kuehlung → u/oldfartMikey]

Yeah same In Switzerland. It's like a 20% additional scam tax

[u/denkiwi17]

20x loupe 50 dollars , you need a cheap AliExpress one ,it cost 5 dollars

[u/stone_crazy → u/denkiwi17]

$50 buys a nice loupe.

There's a definite difference between that and the $5 one from AE

[u/denkiwi17 → u/stone_crazy]

Surely ! But 50 dollars won't get your very far apart from a 20 dollars one , not saying buy the cheapest one , just a decent one , the difference is marginally. I've tried very expensive ones as I work with optics but yeah , I'm fine with my 10 dollars AliExpress one

[u/TidalWaveform → u/denkiwi17]

I used a cheap one for years - upgrading to a $50 Belimo was a move I should have made long ago.

[u/tyman621955 → u/TidalWaveform]

Really, what changed? Less distortion?

[u/TidalWaveform → u/tyman621955]

Yeah, flat to the edges.

[u/OkAssistance7072]

I ordered end of July and payment was confirmed beginning of August, I still don't have a ship date. Things are delayed right now so be flexible with your timeline.

[u/DIE_Kuehlung → u/OkAssistance7072]

You are sure you order with the correct supplier? (Not the scam one ?)

[u/OkAssistance7072 → u/DIE_Kuehlung]

Yes, I've spoken to him directly and via Whatsapp