Learning Lapidary

Up to this point, I have only done silversmithing in my jewelry making journey. I LOVE silversmithing too. But it is time to grow and expand my horizons. It’s time to learn something new to add to my ever-growing repertoire. I am now venturing out into the world of lapidary, or the ancient and modern art of cutting, shaping, grinding, and polishing stones, minerals, and gemstones into decorative items, art objects, or jewelry. Its main types of stonework and distinct craft styles define how raw rock is transformed into a finished piece.

The next course I will be taking will be a 10-week course in lapidary (starting in September), but before I signed up for that course, I enrolled in a one-day, all day intense course in Boulder, through the Boulder Metalsmithing Association, or BoMA. I learned a lot and am ready to start learning how to cut and shape my own stones that I can incorporate into my jewelry.

Yesterday, we focused on learning how to make different kinds of cabochons. Cabochons, or cabs, are stones shaped with a convex, rounded, and polished top with a flat or slightly domed base. There are plenty more things I still have yet to learn about lapidary work. This was just an introductory course. We learned how to cut the stones from slabs of rock, as well as how to grind them into various different sizes and shapes.

Learning the basics from Alex, the instructor, a master lapidarist. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. Here he is explaining all the different machines we were going to be using.

Alex gave lots of demonstrations throughout the course.

The course description said we got stones and didn’t need to bring our own. Of course I chose some of their stones. There were a bunch of different rocks and slabs we could choose from. I think I chose wisely too. They are beautiful stones in the raw, but just imagine how pretty they will look when finished. 🙂 Yes, I have plenty of stones of my own, but most of my stones are already cut and polished, though I do have quite a few raw stones and slabs too. I might just have to get another, bigger box, because my current box of rocks is overflowing. 🙂

I have no idea what these stones are. All I know is that I fell in love with them. I love the colors. You can see I was already working on a piece that is on the stick.

Once I had the stone cut into the rough shape of what I wanted, then I attached it to the little holding stick (I forgot the name) with dobbing wax. This allows for better control while doing the finer shaping and cutting of the stones.

I was able to cut and shape 4 stones, though I still have some work to do on them before they will be finished. The gray set will eventually be another set of earrings and matching pendant. I know the colors may not not look like it, but they were all cut from the same slab of rock. The green piece was cut to make into a ring, but somehow I lost it from the time I finished class to the time I got home. It may still be in my car, but I searched it pretty well and couldn’t find it. I do have a bit more of the stone left (I gave the rest of it to someone else after I had cut my stone) so I can remake it if I have to. I know how to do that now. 🙂 The blueish-green stone I really fell in love with, and I didn’t cut that one yet, though I already have some pretty good ideas on how to use it. In case you haven’t noticed, I love lots of colors. 🙂

So from here on out, I will be even more hands on, with every aspect of the jewelry I make. Now, not only will I be able to cut, shape and solder the metals, but I will have more say so in the stones’ cuts and shapes too. Oh I have LOTS more jewelry ideas in store. My jewelry journey has only just begun. 🙂

I am always learning something new. That’s what makes life so much fun and interesting. I’m never really bored and I always try my best to keep myself busy. Life is short. Make the most out of everyday and live life to the fullest. Enjoy the ride and make beautiful things along the way. Have a great day and make everyday great. ‘Til next time.