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Lapidary is the art of working in stone. However, the word usually refers to the creation of small objects from jewel materials (not big objects like Michelangelo's statues). In that location are four basic lapidary arts: tumbling, cabbing, faceting, and carving.

Other lapidary techniques include combining gem materials to create inlays and assembled gemstones also as suiseki rock artistry. In this guide, we'll introduce the iv basic fields. Y'all can larn more about each of these lapidary arts in the Fundamentals of Lapidary series.

Tabular array of Contents:

  • Tumbling
  • Cabbing
  • Faceting
  • Carving

Tumbling

The simplest form of lapidary, gemstone tumbling requires minimal equipment. You lot put rough gem cloth into a tumbler, a revolving barrel with abrasives. Progressively finer abrasives are used until the jewel obtains a shine. This process closely resembles what happens to rocks in a stream or on the beach. Notwithstanding, tumbling produces much college polish levels.

Ideal for children and a great family pastime, information technology's a great mode to work stones collected on family vacations or stone hunting. Plus, the results are sensational! You lot can also purchase inexpensive settings and turn tumbled stones into jewelry pieces. They make wonderful homemade gifts.

Cabbing

Cabbing or cabochon cutting is probably the almost common course of lapidary arts. Cabochons or "cabs" are gems cut with a flat lesser and a curved or domed top. If you've seen opal or turquoise jewelry, yous've probably seen cabs.

Cabbing can exist profitable. Depending on the gem textile you use, cabochons can have meaning resale value. Thus, cabbing tin can make a very rewarding hobby, specially if you cut gems y'all find yourself. However, cabbing machines do cost more than than tumblers. While cabochon cutting is more than complex than tumbling, you tin can go proficient with a fiddling practice. A word of warning: cabbing can exist highly addictive!

Faceting

Of all the lapidary arts, gem faceting has the greatest profit potential. If you can imagine a diamond in a typical engagement band, you're likely visualizing a faceted gem. Geometrically arranged, apartment surfaces typically embrace the surface of such a diamond. Each of these flat surfaces is called a facet.

Faceting should bring out the luminescence of a gem. The bottom facets reflect the lite entering the stone and return it to the viewer. (Don't confuse luminescence with dispersion or "fire," the multicolored flashes you see coming out of diamonds and some other gems).

Faceters facet gems on faceting machines. You lot can find many different kinds for sale. Whether you want to facet gems for fun or profit, prepare to make a significant investment in equipment. When faceting, more and then than the other lapidary arts, your equipment quality will bear upon both your results and your enjoyment.

There are besides many kinds of faceters. Faceting is an art, simply y'all don't need some esoteric "artistic sense" to appoint in it. Machinists, engineers, and those with a knack for math oft excel at faceting. Many faceters are semi-professionals. They sell enough gems to back up their hobby or supplement their income. For those interested in collecting or investing in gems, faceting is by far the most applied lapidary art to acquire. The wholesale price of the finished piece about e'er exceeds the cost of rough gem material and labor.

Although yous tin can go skilled at faceting with minimal feel, you'll never run out of new challenges.

Carving

Etching is the most challenging of the lapidary arts. There are very few recognized experts in the field. To succeed at gem carving, y'all do need a distinctive artistic sense and a thorough understanding of lapidary principles. More and so than forest or metal, gem cloth presents definite limits to what you can carve.

At that place are several types of gem carving. One of the best known forms is cameo. Gem carvers usually cut them from sea shells or agates. However, well-nigh whatsoever cloth may piece of work. Cabochons are oft carved, too. If the design is cut into the top of a cab, it'due south called an intaglio or relief carving. If the design is carved on the dorsum, it's a reverse intaglio. Some carvings aren't designed to be used in jewelry. Carvers cut these stand up-alone carvings merely for their beauty.