[Jewelry making - Article 00001] - Re: [Orchid] Is lapidary hard on the hands?

[coralnut]

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David,

    Maybe Gerry or a couple other lapidarys will respond as well. My
    answer is; it can be hard on the hands depending on what sizes,
    shapes, types and number of stones are being cut and how it is done. 
     I no longer cut a lot of stones ...maybe 30 or 40 a week but do
    virtually all of them by hand.  I don't dop because most of them are
    freeforms in the 20x30mm size.  If I do cut any smaller
    geometric/calibrated stones I dop them. There is a big difference
    between dopping and not dopping.  Cutting geometric shapes in
    calibrated sizes on a dop requires very specific and repetitive hand
    movements that can tire one's hand out in a few hours.  Freeform
    work allows more freedom in movement and less strain on the wrist and
    fingers. On the other hand, cutting without dopping makes a real mess
    of one's fingernails and tips of the fingers.  In freeform cutting,
    the fingers are often used to 'gauge' the relation of the stone to
    the wheel...thus there is always a high loss of skin and nails. 

    Stone repair is not so bad and it is not normally necesary to recut
    the entire stone. Usually just a touch up of the shoulders and
    crown....a few minutes on each wheel is all that is needed. 

    Many machines have 'pre-forming' devices that take a lot of the work
    out of cutting the geometry and initial crown work. I never use one
    but have heard they work well on geometric/calibrated stones.  They
    are not good (IMHO) for freeforms though. 

    Don't know if your stone repair includes faceting - which is not all
    that stressful.  There is hand movement but not nearly as much as
    cabbing. Usually the hand is held rigid and the arm moves the stone
    on the lap. 

    I suspect he could get away with a stone now and then with no
    damage. If he has to do many stones throughout the day however, this
    could be a problem. I think a big question is, has your employee cut
    stones previously?  If he has experience, he might already know how
    to mitigate damage to his hands. Otherwise, he could do some damage
    in the learning process. 

    In any event, I would suggest you get him a 6" all diamond unit like
    a Genie or something to try.  These machines are smooth and a stone
    can be cut quickly with practice. They are not necessarily meant for
    high production but then it does not sound as if that is what you
    intend anyway. 

    Hope this helps.  Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in
    SOFL where simple elegance IS fine jewelry! dcdietz AT attbi.com



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