What is a lapidary? A stone lapidary is a skilled artisan who works with various types of stones, often precious or semi-precious, to cut, polish, and shape them into finished products such as gemstones, jewelry, and decorative objects. Our work involves both artistic and technical skills to bring out the natural beauty and value of the stone. At Argent Forge and Stone, we strive to maintain the true substance of a stone by completing the lapidary process ourselves, transforming an interest rock into the beautiful artwork it was meant to be.

Lapidary services that we offer include:

Stone Cutting

• Gemstone Cutting: The lapidary cuts rough gemstones into specific shapes, such as round, oval, emerald cut, or other designs, depending on the stone's characteristics and the desired end result.

• Cabochon Cutting: This is a common technique where stones are polished and shaped into smooth, rounded forms, without facets. These stones are often used in rings, pendants, or brooches.

• Faceted Cutting: Involves cutting gemstones into multi-faceted shapes to enhance their sparkle. This is most commonly used for diamonds and other precious stones.

Polishing and Finishing

• Polishing: After cutting, stones are polished to a smooth, reflective surface to bring out their brilliance and clarity.

• Buffing: This process involves polishing stones to a high sheen using specialized tools, often with a polishing compound.

Custom Jewelry Creation

• Lapidaries often work with jewelers to design and create custom jewelry pieces, using their stone cutting and shaping skills to set stones in rings, necklaces, earrings, and more. At Argent Forge and Stone, we are our own jewelers, crafting our pieces from rough stone to forever keepsakes. 

Repairs and Restoration

• Stone Repair: A lapidary can repair chipped or damaged gemstones or stones in jewelry. This may involve re-polishing, recutting, or replacing stones.

• Restoration: For older jewelry or family heirlooms, a lapidary may restore the original luster or reshape stones that have worn down over time.

Engraving

• Some lapidaries also offer engraving services, where they etch or carve designs, symbols, or text into stones, often for use in memorial stones, rings, or keepsakes.

Beading and Cabochon Setting

• Lapidaries can create cabochons (polished but uncut stones) for use in beading projects or settings in jewelry. These stones are often mounted in a bezel or prong setting, or wire wrapped with quality materials.

Stone Sourcing

• They may also assist with sourcing specific types of stones, whether it’s rough material for cutting or more rare and valuable gemstones.

Specialized Stones

• Working with a variety of stones, from semi-precious stones like amethyst, turquoise, and opal, to precious stones like diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. A lapidary must know the unique properties of each type of stone and how to best work with them.

A lapidary’s work requires precision, patience, and a deep understanding of stone properties and the tools involved in the cutting and shaping process. Whether it’s creating a beautiful gemstone or restoring an antique piece, the services of a stone lapidary can greatly enhance the beauty and value of the stone.