Have you ever looked at a piece of jewelry and wondered where the gemstone came from and how it got its perfect shape? The answer, my friends, is lapidary. Lapidary is the art and craft of cutting, shaping, and polishing gemstones and semi-precious stones.

It involves the process of transforming rough, raw minerals or rocks into beautiful, polished gemstones that can be used in jewelry, decorative items, and various other applications.

Lapidarists, or individuals who practice lapidary, use a range of tools and techniques to work with gemstone materials. These tools can include saws, grinders, polishing wheels, and faceting machines, among others. The goal of lapidary is to reveal the inherent beauty and brilliance of a gemstone by cutting it into specific shapes, facets, and designs that enhance its aesthetic appeal.

Lapidary is both an artistic and scientific pursuit, as it requires a deep understanding of mineralogy, the properties of various gemstones, and the technical skills to manipulate them. This craft has a rich history and continues to be a popular hobby and profession for those who appreciate the beauty of gemstones and want to create their own unique pieces of jewelry or art.

When I first started making jewelry, I purchased all of my stones from talented lapidary artists from around the United States. In January 2023, I decided I wanted to take my jewelry design skills to the next level, so I joined a couple of local lapidary clubs near me to learn this ancient craft. My goal over the next year is to cut and shape most of the stones I use in my oaktownwendy jewelry. I've already amassed quite a collection of rough material: mostly turquoise as well as some beautiful jaspers, agates, and even some man-made material such as surfite (a sustainable by-product of the surfboard manufacturing process). I'm even planning a roadtrip to Tonopah, Nevada, in the Spring to do a little rockhounding at the Royston turquoise mine!

I look forward to sharing my lapidary journey with you all and showing you more oaktownwendy pieces that feature my new passion. 🪨💙⛏