In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Because gemstones can vary in cost, learn to cut and facet less expensive gems. For example, work with fluorite before moving on to more expensive gems such as emeralds or garnets.  For less expensive gems, start with quartz, fluorite, crystal, beryl, and tourmaline. If you're ready to work with semi-precious and precious gems, try sapphires, zircon, garnets, amethysts, and opals. Decide what type of gem you'd like to cut and look for them at local gem and mineral fairs. You can buy rough or uncut stones directly from dealers which will give you the opportunity to handle the stones in person. You can also buy from dealers online, but you'll need to find a reputable dealer to be sure of what you're getting. A reputable online dealer should offer a 30-day return policy, offer a variety of payment options, and offer gem certification from an independent lab. Look at the shape that the rough or uncut gemstone is already in. You might see that the gem already has a slight oval shape, so cutting it to an oval shape would be easier than making it into a square or rectangle cut.  Remember that the cut gem will be smaller than the rough gem, so choose a shape that won't waste too much of the gem. Other basic cuts include round, square, oval, and triangle. Once you have an idea of the shape you want for your gem, read books about various cuts. You can also take online tutorials from gem cutters or take classes at local community centers about choosing cuts. Common cuts include:  Square shapes such as asscher, antique (cushion), princess, emerald, octagon, or baguette. Round shapes such as briolette, cabochon, or radiant. Oval or triangular shapes such as marquise, trillion (trilliant), or heart.
Summary: Decide what type of gemstone to cut. Buy a rough or uncut gemstone. Choose a basic shape for the gemstone. Research cuts for your gem.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: If your parents don't like your friends, you've probably tried talking to them already, but it's important to keep a line of dialogue open about important issues.  Don't use sarcasm. Being sarcastic or otherwise mean to your parents will quickly derail the conversation.  Remain calm, and don't get mad. Not only will this help you have a longer, more in-depth conversation, it will show your parents that you are capable of maturity, which can go a long way in trying to earn more independence.  Let your parents finish what they have to say, and don't interrupt them. When it's your turn to talk, ask them to be respectful and allow you to speak without being interrupted. If you've tried talking and your parents still don't approve of a friend or group of friends, try letting them all meet. Your parents might have an unrealistic impression of what kind of person your friend is, and letting them all talk and get to know one another can help your parents see why you value that person's friendship.  Ask your parents if you can invite your friend over to your house for dinner with the family. Let them know that you're not trying to disrespect them or their wishes, but that you feel like meeting your friend might relieve some of their fears or concerns.  Encourage your friend to be on his or her best behavior. Ask your friend to use pleasantries that your parents will appreciate, like asking, "Hello, how are you?" or saying, "You have a beautiful home."  Facilitate a conversation between your parents and your friend to help your family see why that friendship is important to you. If your friend is creative/artistic or has some other talents, bring it up during dinner, and ask your friend to tell your parents about any projects or creative endeavors.  Offer to let your parents meet your friend's parents. They might be able to talk as one adult to another, and may find some understanding that wouldn't come from a parent/child conversation. If you haven't had any luck talking with your parents about an issue like your choice in friends, it may be helpful to bring in an outside party. Someone outside your immediate family may be able to help moderate the conversation and facilitate a more open dialogue between you and your parents. Ask a relative outside your immediate family to help you talk to your parents. If no one in your family would be a good fit for this role, consider asking a guidance counselor or social worker at school. If your parents simply don't like your friend and forbid you from seeing her, don't sneak around behind your parents' backs. Your parents will eventually find out, and they will likely revoke whatever freedom they had previously been giving you.  If your parents forbid you to see a friend, try talking to them about their concerns. You've probably had some kind of conversation about it before, but ask them to address what specifically they are worried about. Try to calm those fears or concerns as best you can.  Don't sneak around behind your parents' backs if they've forbidden you from seeing a friend. It's frustrating and it may not seem fair, but going against your parents' demands will further strain your relationship with them, and they may end up revoking certain liberties or independence that they were previously giving you.
Summary: Try talking to your parents. Let your parents meet your friends. Try bringing in an outside party. Don't go behind your parents' backs.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Dip a Q-tip in nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. Use the Q-tip to lightly dab at the stain or mark on the gel nail, being careful not to vigorously rub so that you don’t remove the gel color. This works best if you use the nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol very soon after the stain appears on your nail. Lay a towel down on a table and place your hand on top. Spray hairspray over the nail with the stain until the nail looks wet. Use a Q-tip to remove the hairspray, which should remove the stain as well. Wash your hands well with soap and water to get the hairspray off of your hand. You shouldn’t need to rub the gel nail harshly to get the marking off of it. Fill a regular-sized bowl with water and add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil to it. Place the gel nail that needs to be cleaned in the bowl, letting it soak for at least 5 minutes. Wash your hands after removing the nail from the mixture. If the stain is still there, do the same process over again once a day for several days. Sometimes a mark or stain on your gel nail just won’t come out using at-home remedies, which is when it’s time to turn to professionals. See if your nail salon will redo the one nail that was damaged so that your nail will look good as new. Some nail salons will do this for free while others will charge a small fee, so ask your nail salon before committing to redoing the nail.
Summary:
Use nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to wipe away fresh marks. Spray your gel nail with hairspray to remove stubborn stains. Soak your nail in water and tea tree oil for a natural fix. Visit your nail salon if you can’t remove the stain or mark yourself.