Leisure Skills - Lapidary Arts

Background

The term “lapidary” refers to a person who cuts and polishes precious or semiprecious stones. Used as an adjective to modify “arts”, it refers to techniques used to transform raw materials such as precious and semiprecious gemstones and minerals, gold, and silver into objects of art - primarily jewelry. Lapidary comes from the word “lap”, a circular rotating disk coated with abrasive used in grinding rough irregularly shaped stones into smooth geometric shapes used for adornment. Although the techniques are as old as recorded history, modern technology and equipment has transformed tasks previously requiring months of meticulous work into a few hours of leisure recreation. Members of the Pendleton District Gem and Mineral Society operate a lapidary workshop on campus and will provide personalized instruction.

Course Objective

To gain an appreciation of the lapidary arts and to acquire the leisure skills necessary to complete several lapidary arts projects.

Course Objectives

Learn to cut, shape, and polish gemstones and other materials: Cabochon Cuttingand Glass Fusing.
Design and fabricate your own rings, bracelets, pendants, etc.: Wire Craft, Silversmithing, Precious Metals Clay