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The story of VJ

The VJ Faceting Machine was originally designed in Rockhampton Qld by the late John Carter, an engineer and facetor.
The concept of this new design materialised in 1982 with drawings being shown at the Mt. Isa gemboree.  A prototype was built and tested successfully. (this machine is on display in our showroom).
A patent was applied for in 1984 and accepted in 1987. The first production machine came off the assembly line in 1987.
New patterns were made in 1989. The most noticable difference in the castings being the shape of the base. The VJ became very popular in the late 80’s and 90’s as facetors realised the advantages of this machine over all other designs.  Production ceased in 1997 due to illness.
The patent was purchased in July 2000 by Sapphire Engineering, operated by Mal and Jenny Johnson and immediately after that production commenced.
Mal purchased his own VJ Faceting Machine in 1989. So he knows how good these machines are. Being a 1st class Machinist by trade, and an accomplished facetor with some 40 years experience in hobby, competition and commercial cutting. The VJ Faceting machine really is designed and manufactured with the expertise of faceting and the skills of engineering. Production ceased once again in March 2017 due to Mal’s retirement. In November 2017, family members Rachel & Brett took over the business and will trade under the name of “VJ Faceting Machines”.
Matt and Kerry Young have purchased VJ Faceting Machines in March 2020 and will continue to run the business in its current trading name “VJ Faceting Machines”.  Matt is a qualified Machinist who is also an avid Facetor.  He purchased his own VJ  2 years ago and fell in love with the quality and repeatability. 
Matt and Kerry are also keen fossickers who enjoy travelling around to the various gem shows.  They plan on attending shows now with the VJ and expanding the market in this space.
Matt and Kerry will operate out of Mals shed for the foreseeable future with Mal assisting with the handover period as he slips into a well-deserved retirement.  Mal and Jenny have given this industry their all for the past 20 years and we are proud to take on this legacy and continue producing the quality the VJ customers have grown to know.

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