Just an ordinary-looking coconut geode… until the saw got ahold of it! 🤯 That dark blue banding tucked inside is downright ridiculous. This is why I never get tired of cutting rocks. You’re always one cut away from your next favorite! 💎💦

Would you have guessed THAT was hiding in there?! 👀

Today's polished results for Pairs set for Earrings and heart shape

I had some lapis rough I bought in chile when travelling for work. I'm starting to get a bit more confident with lapidary work so I finally decided to make the stone.

I'll try to find a jeweller to have it set in a ring before Christmas. That'll be a nice present I think.

The stone isn't 100% perfect but I'm still pretty proud, and I managed to make the dimensions quite close to 16x12mm.

Saturday night rock party and no one here actually knows for sure what this is. Any idea?

Finished this one today. What would some pay for something like this? I think this is one of the lower end ones i have

Took two of the slabs I had left over and had them polished on one side for display and a gift

I’ve been browsing marketplace for a used flat lap and amazingly I have yet to find a single machine within 25mi of Seattle. Is this really just that niche of a hobby? I was thinking It wouldn’t be terrible to buy new because it likely holds resale value, now I’m second guessing myself.

Looking for opinions on what to do lapidary wise with this 9"x9"x2" slab of a phlogopite/fuchsite vein running through marble.

I am interested in starting to cut some of the stones I find and maybe even make jewelry (I live next to a creek filled with jasper). Does anyone have any advice and what to use and safety considerations? My partner already has a woodworking setup in the shed with safety gear, so I have a good space for my work.

Been sitting on some gem silica long enough. That wagon is holding per near 200 lbs.

Howaya folks!

I’m only getting started in lapidary, but I’ve been having great craic shaping and polishing a few stones lately, including a heart in blue apatite, which I’m not ashamed to say I’m fairly happy with.

The rest are practice pieces a serpentine, amazonite, moss agate and one last stone that’s still a work in progress but more traditional cab.
Nothing fancy, just me getting used to the wheels and burrs and trying not to make a hames of things.

No big questions, but any advice for beginners would be appreciated!

Delighted to finally post here. Cheers for taking a look.

My Wife made this ring with my first piece.I just started lapidary and made these from some raw chunks. They turned out way better than I expected. She is currently working on the other two. Hope to post those soon.

I was blessed to get my hands on this Beaver arbor from Lortone Inc. I can't locate a model number and haven't had much luck finding this exact model online. It has not been plugged in yet but the wheels spin freely with no grinding sounds from the bearings. I'm totaling new to cabbing and would greatly appreciate any information on bringing this unit back into working order. Thanks in advance. I've been wanting something like this for years now after tumbling and making some jewelery.

I have tried over and over and over again. Even with all the incredible advice I’ve been given and I just can’t do it. 😖
Is there a chance I can hire someone for a reasonable price to drill some holes for me?
I have a drill press, diamond bits- solid bits and hollow bits, I have a water basin and a water drip. I am flat out exhausted now from trying.
Is there anyone who has the technique nailed down who would be willing to hire out and drill some holes for me? Thank you.

I am completely mesmerized by the pattern in this freshly polished piece. The contrast between the brilliant turquoise areas and the dark, metallic matrix makes it look like an aerial map of a desert oasis. Another day of hand-cutting that reminds me why I love being a lapidary artist. Hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I do!

Finished it a few days ago, Cabs Lace Agate pieces

Test cuts from a new spot! The patterns carry through, and the rock quality is great! The white/purple on the first one is translucent, as is the green rock. The last rock is translucent also, it cracked but I’m blaming the dull, tile saw blade.