Are You a Lapidary Expert?

Lapidary is the practice of shaping stones, minerals, or gemstones into decorative items such as cabochons, engraved gems, and faceted designs. The earliest known lapidary work occurred during the Stone Age. The early Egyptians developed cutting and jewelry fashioning methods for lapis lazuli, turquoise, and amethyst. Lapidary was also a significant tradition in early Mesoamerica, where lapidary products were used as status symbols, for offerings, and during burials. There are three broad categories of lapidary arts: tumbling, cabochon cutting, and faceting. Polishing is done with resin- or metal-bonded emery, silicon carbide, aluminium oxide, or diamond dust in successively decreasing particle sizes until a polish is achieved. Stones can contain asbestos, silica, lead, talc, and other hazardous ingredients. Safety precautions include wearing a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health approved respirator with replaceable cartridges and dust filters. There are lapidary clubs throughout the world. In the United States, societies include the American Gem Society.