Lapidary


Our lapidary articles cover gem cutting techniques and tools and include guides for setting popular gem cuts into rings and other jewelry pieces.

Slabbing, Shaping, Polishing Turquoise Cabs Using Foredom Handpiece

Slabbing, Shaping, Polishing Turquoise Cabs Using Foredom Handpiece

This paper will describe the process of slabbing, shaping and polishing turquoise cabs using Foredom Handpiece and various grinding discs....
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Channel Setting Round Diamonds

Channel Setting Round Diamonds

Recently a woman brought an old family diamond into our store and asked to have a custom mounting made for...
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The Art of Laser Welding

The Art of Laser Welding

Lasers are one of the hottest new items in the jewelry industry. This relatively unknown technology among jewelers and jewelry...
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Channel Setting – Set ‘Em Straight

Over the past decade, channel setting has grown in popularity. Setting small diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and even emeralds into channels...
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Basic Bead Setting Techniques

Basic Bead Setting Techniques

First the stone's diameter is measured at the pavillion and a dent is made in the metal for the pilot...
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International Ring Sizes Chart

International Ring Sizes Chart

This page provides an international ring sizes chart you can view and/or download to be your guide in making or...
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Chalcedony – A Gem for the Ages

Chalcedony – A Gem for the Ages

The gemstone industry tends, for marketing reasons, to limit the definition of chalcedony somewhat more than mieralolgists. Among gemstone and...
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Lapidary Work Safety Precautions

Goldsmiths sometimes do a little rough and ready lapidary work with emery and leather sticks or even polishing compounds on...
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Benefits of Concave Faceting

How does concave faceting create so much more brilliance than regular flat faceting? Imagine a typical flat, square mirror, Now...
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Royal Flush Stone Setting

Royal Flush Stone Setting

A sign on the side of a plumbers truck read, In our business a Flush is better than a Full-House....
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The Work of Michael Boyd

The Work of Michael Boyd

Jewelry artist Michael Boyd fills his cup with newfound forms and shapes. Well known for his contemporary roll-on cuff bracelets...
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Basic Optical Principles for Gemology

Basic Optical Principles for Gemology

The optical characteristics and properties of gemstones often provide the fastest and best methods of identification. A certain amount of...
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Bezel Setting Cabochon Stones

Bezel Setting Cabochon Stones

One of the most basic designs in stone setting is Bezel Setting. It is rudimentary in its concept, and it...
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Channel Setting Princess Cuts

Channel Setting Princess Cuts

Recently, a woman brought in her diamonds and asked to have a ring made with them. Her requirements were very...
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Prong Setting Round Brilliant Gemstones

Prong Setting Round Brilliant Gemstones

For setting round brilliant gemstones in prongs, many setters and bench jeweler generalists use a 90 degree low speed bearing...
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Orienting a Moonstone crystal for cutting

Orienting a Moonstone crystal for cutting

locating the moonstone effect and orienting the crystal for optimising the adularescence in Feldspar Moonstone rough in preparation for cutting....
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How to Set Baguettes

How to Set Baguettes

Baguette stones have four corners and a rather deep pavilion. Because of this you must handle these stones with special...
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Platinum Casting with Gemstones

Platinum casting with gemstones in place has been the latest development before the end of the second millennium. It has...
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Channel Inlay Bracelet

Channel Inlay Bracelet

My first bracelet inlaid with mother of My pearl, petrified palm, dino bone, agate,lapis,turquoise,abalone, sonoran sunrise, (denver)granite, and tigers eye...
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Lapis ring repair

Lapis ring repair

Cutting, fitting and polishing a replacement Lapis Lazuli inlay for a ring repair job
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Cabochon Stone Full Bezel Setting

Cabochon Stone Full Bezel Setting

One of the most basic designs in stone setting is "Bezel Setting". It is so rudimentary in its concept. It...
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Ameritool Inc. Universal Grinder

Ameritool Inc. Universal Grinder

This short video demonstrates how to setup your Ameritool Inc. Universal Grinder. This short demo covers the basic assembly of...
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The New MJSA/WGC White Gold Color Index

Have you ever noticed how white gold varies in color? Many folks think white gold is the same color as...
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Bead Stone Setting – Bead It!

Bench Jewelers often use different methods to accomplish the same work. I believe the end results are what is important,...
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Abalone

Abalone

Luis Moreno demonstrates how to work with an Abalone
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The Beauty that is Iolite

The Beauty that is Iolite

You may never have heard of iolite. It isn't a household word, but it is an attractive indigo colored gemstone....
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Ameritool 4 inch Lapidary and Glass Saw

Ameritool 4 inch Lapidary and Glass Saw

This short video demonstrates how to setup your Ameritool Inc. 4
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Emerald Restoration

Emerald Restoration

Orienting a damaged emerald for maximum recovery in recutting
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Horn

Horn

Luis Moreno demonstrates how to work with a horn
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CAD Craft In Ron Litolff’s Ring

CAD Craft In Ron Litolff’s Ring

To create a new ring to showcase the beauty of a customer's sentimental diamonds, Knoxville, Tennesseebased jeweler Ron Litolff of...
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Inlaid pendant with Black Onyx & MOP

Inlaid pendant with Black Onyx & MOP

Stylised Harpsichord keyboard Pendant is inlaid with black Onyx and Mother of Pearl keys
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How to Drill Sea Glass

How to Drill Sea Glass

This short 2 minute video explains the basics of drilling sea glass with a Dremel drill and drill press. Liliana...
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Custom Garnet replacement

Custom Garnet replacement

A 25 carat Tanzanian Garnet is faceted to replace a broken stone
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Cabochon Cutting and Setting: Schitterend Sieraad

Cabochon Cutting and Setting: Schitterend Sieraad

This film has been made for the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, as part of an exhibition about...
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How to use  rolling mills

How to use rolling mills

How to use a rolling mills
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3.6 carat Tsavorite Garnet

3.6 carat Tsavorite Garnet

Cutting a tsavorite gem from a 13.6 carat rough
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