Lapidaries Take the Floor
Our lapidary readers talk shop
by June Culp Zeitner

Among all hobbyists, lapidaries are some of the most fiercely devoted to their chosen pastime. In a recent survey we sent out, not only did we receive more answers than for any other survey, but the answers were more positive, more explicit, and more optimistic, showing pride and satisfaction with personal accomplishments.

Since the surveys were directed to lapidary clubs, it is not surprising that 82 percent of the responding readers said they are lapidaries. It was notable, however, that 10 percent of those lapidaries wrote that two people in their families had also taken up the hobby. And it is clear that these hobbyists are not content to stand still, or to rest on their laurels; 85 percent plan to improve their workshops by purchasing new machinery, and a whopping 92 percent say they are eager to learn new techniques.

We started off by determining what kind of lapidary work the surveyed readers do, what machines they own, how they learned their skills, and their personal experiences and opinions about the state of the hobby. The skill level is wide-ranging, with most describing themselves as intermediate, while 26 percent describing themselves as advanced. Only 18 people checked beginner; nine checked master. Some couldn't decide!

Drusy dendritic agate cut by Greg Genovese, courtesy of Bill Heher. Photo © Lee-Carraher

The most admired lapidary techniques today are faceting, carving, and intarsia - in that order. Other techniques with numerous votes were cabbing and sphere making.

Among our respondents, we counted a pretty even split between facetors and carvers, with 37 percent calling themselves facetors, and 32 percent carvers; of course, many chose both. Carvers and sphere makers were next, with a few mentioning intarsia, channel, and polishing slabs, nodules, thundereggs, and specific gems. In terms of material, more lapidaries specialize in opal than any other single material, while other specialists named their preferences for jade, quartz, agate, fire agate, jasper, beryl, or tourmaline.

Given our respondents' stated interest in learning new techniques, I paid close attention to the answers to the question “What type of lapidary would you like to learn?” Intarsia took the lead, closely followed by carving and faceting. There were some votes by ambitious cutters who want to learn the mystery of internal carving and others who hope to learn OMF [Optically Magnified Facets] techniques.

From skills desired to skills achieved, we asked how our respondents learned their craft. “Practice!” was the predictable response. A good number took classes, roughly half of which were sponsored by clubs. A few of those who took classes went out of their way to mention their teachers, with Bud Peterson, Jerry Call, Ray Kissinger, Henry Underhill, and Olive Colhour singled out for such praise. Many answered that they learned with the help of books and magazines, including the Lapidary Journal.

TOOL TIME. We also wanted to know how well-equipped the studios of our respondents are; as a rule, they seemed to take pride in their facilities, making sure that they had the right equipment. I was frankly surprised at the answer for the tumbler question; I guess I thought tumblers were old hat since I began using one in 1950, but fully 69 percent of the lapidaries surveyed have tumblers, and most of their tumblers are the newer vibratory style, although a surprising number have both types of tumblers.

As for saws - what kinds, how many, and which were used the most - 6" faceter's saws came first, closely followed by 10" trim saws, then 12" and 14" saws, then 18" saws, with 24" saws bringing up the rear. Most respondents had more than one saw, and the combination tended to be a 4" or 6" facetors and a 10" or 12" slab or trim saw. Several readers mentioned the mini-blades used on Foredom or Dremel tools, while others mentioned diamond band saws, scroll saws, tilt table band saws, wire saws, diamond hole saws, core drills, and ring saws. Saw owners often listed the specific manufacturer, with Lortone, Beacon Star, Star Diamond, Highland Park, Raytech, Covington, Graves, Maxant, Johnson Brothers, and Diamond Pacific all singled out for mention.

For grinding, about half of the lapidaries are now turning to diamond wheels, as opposed to the time-honored silicon carbide work horses of the hobby. Genie was the brand mentioned the most, with Pixie, Lapcraft, Crystalite, Titan, Galaxy, Graves, and Contempo also getting mentions. Convex carving wheels are the pride of a few. Those who specified silicon carbide wheels often mentioned that they had two 8" or 10" wheels, 100 and 220 grit. Several mentioned Raytech as their chosen manufacturer.

After grinding comes the sanding and polishing. A little over half still use silicon carbide sanders, sometimes disc, sometimes wide belt sanders, some use Bull Wheels. Most listed more than one buff with leather, at 32 percent, being the most popular, followed by felt, with 23 percent, and then a tie between cotton and muslin. A few respondents mentioned the wood-spool polisher. Those such as Genie use diamond all the way.

When I asked about the three favorite polishes, I correctly forecast that the old standbys tin oxide and cerium oxide would be listed, and was only surprised by diamond. Runners up were Linde A, alumina, rouge, Rapid Polish, chrome oxide, Zam, and Fabulustre.

Cut stones are an indispensible part of finished jewelry, like the particolored tourmaline in this pin by Ann Marie Montecuollo. Photo © Lee-Carraher

RECENT ADDITIONS. Since there is a generous supply of new machines and tools on the market, I asked “What is your newest piece of equipment?” One frank answer, “Nothing new. Everything I have is at least 15 years old,” was in the minority; over 80 percent of the lapidaries own something they consider new. New faceting machines formed the only pattern; beyond that there was no consensus. Surveyed readers have recently acquired such equipment as diamond slab saws, an All-U-Need cabber, a diamond drill, a bead mill, a gem lathe, a Cab-Master, a new replacement for dop sticks, and a Cab-Mate bezel table. There were many tempting items for modern lapidaries but one person admitted to buying a Slab Grabber, and even I have one of those.

Although a wide majority of respondents (71 percent) own flexible shaft machines, fixed shaft carving machines stand in the workshops of only a very small minority. “No,” one answered wistfully, “but it's next on my list.” Of the carving machines, Facetron proved the most popular, followed by Graves. Other manufacturers acquired by the facetors in this survey are Raytech, Ultra, Sapphire, Lee, Facette, American Faceter, MDR, Gem Master, Prismatic, MOR, and Covington.

For the most part, readers feel that they chose wisely in choosing their equipment. When asked about major troubles that have plagued their lapidary equipment, “None” and “very few” were the most common answers. In fact, a clue to these positive answers was “I keep all my equipment in top shape and never let a trouble get major.” Another answered: “I am a machinist. I made most of my own equipment and take care of it.”

However, true to human nature, there were inevitably a few complaints: My tumbler is too noisy. My old combination unit got rusted out. The motor for my grinders burned out too soon. I have had three saw blades bend. Don't know why I have so many bad bearings. The top won't stay on my tumbler. The springs are always breaking on my vibratory tumbler. Why do my trim saw blades wear out so fast? My new pump failed and my motor burned out. The sensor needle on my faceting machine jumped out of position. The rheostat for my flexible shaft machine malfunctioned. I can't find the right kind of new drive belts. The switch won't work on my nearly new saw.

As far as specialized equipment, it turned out that the most popular investment was an extra sander - a wet belt, a wide belt, or a diamond belt sander. However, these sanders were just one vote ahead of a three-way tie between gem drills, sphere machines, and automatic cabbers. Bead mills, OMF facetors, lathes, and sandblasters each had their proponents, as did the ring saw, diamond wire saw, engraving machine, overhead lap, fixed shaft carving machines, vibrating flat lap, cabochon crown attachment, hole saw, scroll saw, core drill, swing lap, and coolant recirculation system.

On the subject of coolants, what's new there? More lapidaries than ever (35 percent) are using water-based coolants, especially for small saws. Some new saws are designed to use water as a coolant, and several replies named choices of water additives needed by some saws: Dia-cut, Tool Cool, and Lube Cool. One advanced lapidary gave the nod to Dia-Laser as a slab saw that uses water as a coolant.

Of those who have 14” or larger slab saws, most still use oil (most respondents merely replied, “oil”). As far as specifics, the old standard Almag seems as popular as ever, but others like Pella Oil, Roc-Oil, and Lubri-Kool were also mentioned by name. A couple of readers answered “antifreeze,” which was somewhat alarming, as antifreeze has been reported as causing respiratory problems; for those readers out there using antifreeze as a coolant, please use caution!

Given both the satisfaction and complaints with their existing machines, what kind of equipment would our lapidaries purchase if they were given their choice and unlimited funds? The respondents' wish list was populated by names such as Genie, Pixie, Titan, slab saw, faceting machine, casting equipment, sandblaster, compressor, ring saw, band saw, gem lathe, gem drill, wet belt sander, diamond wire saw, vibrating tumbler, trim saw, electric dop pot, automatic cabber, core drill, horizontal grinder, and engraving tools. A few answered that they had little or no equipment of their own because their clubs had fully equipped shops.

Howard Friedler demonstrating the use of a Foredom tool in carving quartz. Photo © Lee-Carraher.

AGATE! When I asked our respondents to name their favorite lapidary material, I received a predictably long and varied list. Agate won the race, edging out opal by only one vote, followed by a three-way tie between jasper, jade, and amethyst, and then a cluster of peridot, garnet, turquoise, chrysoprase, beryl, quartz, malachite, lapis, tourmaline, and fire agate. Some people listed more than one favorite. A few answers were general, like the one who loved “anything drusy.”

A simple yes or no answered the next question, “Have you ever entered your work in competition?” Only nine percent of the replies checked “yes.”

The question, “What lapidary technique troubles you most?” was less specific, and triggered less specific answers. About a third of the answers had something to do with faceting - polishing large facets, choosing the right lap and polish, not understanding the stone, transfer, poor instructions. Many others find it difficult to get a good polish for certain stones, such as rhodonite, some jaspers, or nephrite, or for certain techniques, such as grooves, deep cuts in carvings, or undercutting of rocks (mineral mixtures.)

Among other topics that readers expressed an interest in learning more about were channel inlay, intarsia, new cuts for both faceting and cabbing materials, the work of accomplished hobbyists, safety, evaluating their work for the purpose of swaps, gifts, auctions, consignment sales, etc., faceting software, and the explosion of Internet sites on the jewelry industry and craft. Readers would like to see all these topics covered in the pages of Lapidary Journal, although one dear reader said LJ is “just right the way it is.”

There were numerous requests for more shop helps, but the respondents were willing to give as well as receive, as proved by the next section of the survey, which gave them a chance to submit a shop help of their own. (See sidebar for a selection of tips from different parts of the country.)

Where to go for more information! Bob's Rock Shop The Eclectic Lapidary Cutting & Polishing of Gemstones Orchid Discussion Group and Message Archive Lapidary Digest: send an e-mail to lapidary@mindspring.com with the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject and body of message. LJ Discussion Forums Faceter's Digest Mailing List: e-mail the list administrator faceters@ix.netcom.com for more information

POP QUIZ. The last part of the survey was a quiz. This is where the truth would be told: were those who called themselves beginners at the outset of the survey merely being modest, and were those who checked master not quite there? One respondent declined our invitation to tackle the quiz, saying, “I'm a hands-on lapidary, not a quiz expert.” Among all the responses, there was one perfect paper, from a lapidary from Baltimore, who said his wife was also a lapidary, and who called himself “advanced.” Well, if he's unwilling to do it himself, I'll promote him to master! Try the test if you like, then read the answers below. Some of the answers were quite interesting. The average on the 40 questions was 29 correct - very good considering some questions were tricky.

The respondents weren't short on opinions, and didn't limit themselves to the provided framework, instead making notes in the margins or the on the backs of the pages. (We like our readers this way - interested!) Here's a sampling:

“I have enjoyed the Lapidary Journal since I was a hobbyist and continue to recommend it to others. I now own a jewelry store in Disney Village in Orlando. What is troubling me is the lack of new persons in our field. I hope young people have a chance to consider gem cutting as a career. Us old dudes are dying off.”

“I apologize. I can't fill out much of this because I am brand-new to the lapidary world. I started by making glass bead jewelry and am expanding by learning lapidary and metal techniques and want to learn to design unique pieces.”

“I got interested in lapidary by attending a show. That was long ago. Now all shows look alike, too commercial, too many finished products, not enough variety. Taped programs. Too many little shows. We need bigger ones which include all our allied interests.”

“Thank you for the opportunity to fill out this survey. I haven't taken a test for years and years, so I do hope I did well.” For the record - you did! May we also take this opportunity to thank all the readers who took the time to fill out the survey.

"I use a simple 3/16 dowel rod to cut to 2-1/2" lengths for finish work with diamond paste. I shape and reshape the dowel with a flat metal file to get desired shapes. I use the dowel in the Flex shaft chuck. It permits a good grip and true spin in the handpiece." - California

"Diatomaceous earth is a good polish or pre-polish for some silicon dioxides, such as opal. Use a wet slurry on medium hard felt - 300-500 rpm." - Unstated

"For a good polish, try leather with the rough side fastened to a convex head over rubber face with wire. Do not cement leather to the head!" - Illinois

"Do not use aluminum-filled glues for inlay work to hide an inexact cut. The stones will not stay in place." - Colorado

"I use a Black and Decker heat gun for mounting gemstones on dop sticks." - Massachussetts

"Vinegar really helps in polishing facets, expecially in the case of carbonates or other soft materials." - New York

"Polish obsidian at low speed (600 rpm) on leather with cerium oxide using moderate pressure, but do not overheat." - Washington

"Spray diamond on Ultralap will work for polishing hard-to-polish materials such as corundum." - Unstated

"I use baking soda in my tumbler to help clean stones at the end of the last cycle. I also use it to clean stones I have just removed from my saw." - California

"I put my facet patterns in plastic sheet protectors and put them in a binder which lies flat. This keeps them clean and dry when in use. A maple butcher block is my work bench creating a solid, smooth work area." - Illinois

"Be very careful about contamination during polishing. Keep wheels clean with a Tide solution. Be patient in all phases." - California

"Linde A on a muslin buff is an excellent polish combination for jade." - North Carolina

"Cerium oxide is a better tumbler polish than most compounds which come with the tumbler, and you only need half as much." - Florida

"If you have a nut, bolt, or screw which you cannot loosen in your shop, saturate it with hydrogen peroxide and wait 30 minutes." - Nevada

"Some stones are improved in color by soaking them in bleach, but after bleaching is completed they must be neutralized with soda or they will tarnish the mounting in a hurry." - Maryland