EXPLORING A Lapidary Renaissance
Rock&Gem Magazine|June 2023
Digital Shift Evolves Lapidary Arts
MARK OROS
EXPLORING A Lapidary Renaissance

Look around you. Do you see what is happening? There is a resurgence in the lapidary arts taking place in the United States. Everything in the rock and gem world is evolving quietly, quickly and with quality. The combination of changes occurring now may in the future be called a lapidary renaissance.

Exactly what are the lapidary arts? Succinctly put, lapidary arts are the activities involved with shaping stones, minerals and gems into decorative items such as cabochons and faceted gems.

ACCESS = GROWTH 

I have been playing and working in the lapidary world for the past ten years. I facet, cab and carve gemstones, sell rough materials to other lapidary artists, teach faceting and carving, along with selling ULTRA TEC faceting machines. From 1988 to 2000, I worked as a researcher and developer on the National Science Foundation project that kickstarted the birth of the internet. I am seeing parallels between the amazing digital communications paradigm shift and the lapidary arts' evolution. In fact, the internet is the main catalyst driving the current renaissance of lapidary arts. The other major factors propelling lapidary arts forward are design software, new equipment and materials and the ability for people to work from home - a unique opportunity for growth in our industry.

Esta historia es de la edición June 2023 de Rock&Gem Magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June 2023 de Rock&Gem Magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE ROCK&GEM MAGAZINEVer todo
This News is for the Birds
Rock&Gem Magazine

This News is for the Birds

The amazing range of the would-be birds!

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE
Rock&Gem Magazine

CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE

California magnesite plasma agate is a kaleidoscope of minerals. Much like its neighbor from Clear Creek, it contains chalcedony, serpentine, jadeite and chromite.

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL
Rock&Gem Magazine

HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL

Even though Mother Nature creates almost unbounded types and numbers of beautiful materials for cabbing, often I struggle to find a slab that will work for the project that I want to do.

time-read
2 minutos  |
July 2024
PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149
Rock&Gem Magazine

PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149

I am frequently asked what my favorite gemstone designs are and where to find them. After my trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I updated my list of favorites to include gemstone designer, Phan Thanh Trung.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Copper Minerals: My Favorite
Rock&Gem Magazine

Copper Minerals: My Favorite

I have lived in the “Copper State” of Arizona for 65 years so it should not surprise readers that copper minerals are among my favorites to collect.

time-read
4 minutos  |
July 2024
OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE
Rock&Gem Magazine

OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE

The widely acclaimed, 2023 Hollywood biographical movie Oppenheimer recently won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Cillian Murphy).

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones
Rock&Gem Magazine

Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones

Why do you believe what you believe? Are your beliefs true because you choose to believe them? Whether it is religion, science or the metaphysical, your belief and faith make it real to you in mind, body and soul.

time-read
7 minutos  |
July 2024
Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age
Rock&Gem Magazine

Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age

Rhode Island may be 22nd out of 30 states in miles of total coastline but when you compare coastline length to land acres, it ranks second only to Maryland.

time-read
4 minutos  |
July 2024
Black Range Amethyst
Rock&Gem Magazine

Black Range Amethyst

Amethyst in Southwest New Mexico

time-read
7 minutos  |
July 2024
EQUINE Bling!
Rock&Gem Magazine

EQUINE Bling!

How an Oklahoma Saddle Maker Uses Moissanite, Gold, Silver Turquoise tc to Adorn Saddles Jewelry

time-read
4 minutos  |
July 2024