So what you see here is a rough sketch of the tree. The plan is to do a type of carving where the drawn portions are actually raised up in positive relief. Technically, it is most similar to a traditional cameo carving, but there is one difference. In a traditional cameo type of carving, the background is flattened in order to highlight the detail in the carving. In this case, there will be a bit of detail in the background as well to help tell the story.

A Surprisingly Simple Trick

But before we get into that idea, I wanted to share a bit of a trick that I learned, especially when dealing with positive relief carvings with hard stones.

When you’re working with hardstones, like agate, or quartz, or granite, etc, carving in a water stream is a great idea. It cools the rock and your diamond burrs, keeps the dust down, and helps wash away the grime that is produced as your carving. But there is a problem. In a lot of cases the design that is drawn on can get washed off.

“But if you use a permanent marker/pencil/a light etching that won’t happen.”

Hahahahahahahahahaha Umm. Sorry. Yes it will. Over time, even permanent marker will fade because of the nature of the process. And a light etching on a hard stone won’t always show when you need it too. So one of my carving friends showed me this technique. And it’s so simple.

White out. Or correction fluid. This stuff is great for staying on the rock and showing you were to carve, and where not to carve. And at the end, it can be easily sanded or ground off.

The Next Steps….

So now that the basic outline is done, I’ll be using my rotary tool to remove some of the areas outside of the white out to create the positive relief. I’ll do the outside first, and then move on to the inner areas to provide the illusion of the branches.

Then it’s on to the detail work.

Until next time everyone!

Our biological ancestors, evidence now shows, were creating stone tools, including flint knapped materials approximately 700,000 years before previously thought. While working an archaeological site in the vicinity of Lake Turkana in northwestern Kenya found evidence for stone tools that were dated to approximately 3.3 million years ago. This time frame indicated that it wasn’t our most recent ancestors that learned to use and create tools, but that the idea of bringing rocks together to create something useful in their lives. For perspective, the previous oldest known evidence of stone-tool use were considered the material from the Oldowan sites located in Gona Ethiopia, which was dated back to roughly 2.6 million years ago.

And while this discovery is extremely significant for our understanding of tool usage as a whole, it is also important for the history of lapidary in general. Why? Because many of the techniques that are used for the creation of decorative stonework started here, at this time. Millions of years ago in Africa, far away from what most people see as the start of the evidence for the lapidary arts.

A World Perspective

While doing the research for this piece, I noticed something that was quite disturbing, but unsurprising. A quick internet search gave me plenty of information on the history of lapidary, provided that you were willing to focus around Europe and Northern Africa. It wasn’t until the seventh page of search results that I saw anything focused on other regions of the world.

A novice researcher might think by these results for the search “history of lapidary” that gemstone carving and stone carving spread out from this area and migrated to the rest of the world. And while lapidary writings and techniques did evolve and migrate through these areas, they are not the only places and times that produced decorative stone material.

Simply put, the lapidary arts are a world wide phenomenon. Evidence of lapidary techniques in the historical and archaeological record exist from the Americas, Asia, Australia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and yes, Europe. Nearly everywhere that humans existed, so did the lapidary arts.

So in this article, I’ll be focusing on the history of lapidary arts in Eastern and Southeastern Asia. Please note that this is not exhaustive. It should be used only as a brief primer; as a launching pad for those who require more information. In subsequent articles, I’ll be focusing on other geographical areas, such as Africa, the Americas, and northern Russia for example. I’ll also be doing a bit of a deep dive into the European areas as well as time permits.

And if you are wondering why I’m starting with this geographical region, the answer is relatively simple. The people who taught me the stone and gemstone carving techniques that I use hail from this part of the world.

Lapidary Arts in Eastern and Southeastern Asia

The countries that make up the area collectively known as Eastern and Southeast Asia have a long history of the lapidary arts. Stone carvings that were primarily decorative in nature were found dating back to between 14,000 and 26,000 years ago from Leang Bulu Bettue, in Sulawesi, Indonesia The material found consisted of two small stone plaquettes that had figurative imagery.

Cambodia – A Rich History of Stone Art

Indeed, if one would turn their attention to the country of Cambodia, one would see a rich and varied history of both large scale and small scale stone carving. Some of the oldest stone carvings actually date back to the 1st through the 6th centuries AD during the Funan kingdom. Over the centuries, stone carvings of various sizes were created as the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism started to co-exist in the region throughout the 1st to 12th centuries, and inspired highly detailed stone carvings that ranged in size from small personal statues that could fit in the palm of the hand, to temple sized depictions of deities in the temples.

The skill and artistry found in Cambodian stone carving and lapidary arts throughout it’s history is something that truly deserves it’s own discussion. There is so much more than what I can cover here. And while many examples were lost to modern era conflict in the area, a re-learning and re-discovery of the techniques is proving that stone carving in Cambodia is here to stay.

But if you want to talk about highly detailed gemstone carving or small stone carving that has a long and extremely detailed history in the area, the countries of China, Japan, and Korea need to be mentioned. Again, it should be noted that each of these countries have strong history in lapidary arts that date back thousands of years. The discussion here is merely a few highlights.

Korea – Delicate and Natural Details Carved in Amethyst

Korea has long been know for their intricate and lifelike carving of the amethysts. The deposits found around the Eonyang area in South Gyeongsang Province in South Korea are used to create some truly beautiful and detailed carvings. The Korean style of carving is truly unique, consisting of a highly raised backed cabochon, which allow for much better light reflections. This tradition of intricate, yet natural carving was first seen during the Silla Dynasty (57 BC to 935 AD), and even during that time, highly intricate carvings were seen.

While other carving styles in the area focused primarily on impressive detail, carvings from Korea also show a certain reverence for the natural ebb and flow of life. In many cases the carving represents a conversation between the sculptor and material, with a more rough or rustic feel to them. It’s a dynamic balance that is truly beautiful to see.

China and Mongolia -- Thousands of Years of Beauty and Detail

In the area currently occupied by the countries of China and Mongolia, decorative jade carving was first seen during the Xinglongwa time period, or 6200-5200 BCE. Materials found include jade pendants, small jade axes, chisels that were likely used for ritual purposes based on their sizes. Carvings made from nephrite were also found near Liaoning at the Chahai site, and small hanging jade specimens were found in the Zhejiang province dating back to the Hemudu culture from around 5000 BCE.

Evidence indicates that Neolithic carvers in this area used quartz sand, string saws, and bamboo drills to create their intricate and highly detailed carvings. It was certainly a long and arduous process. But speaking from experience, the results can be truly stunning.

Japanese Stone Art – A Matter of Perspective

In Japan, the earliest evidence of gemstone carving is seen at the Mimitori site in Kagoshima. It was in the form of a carved shale figuring dating back 24,000 years ago. Other examples from Japanese history of stone carving include pierced beads, or magatama from the Jomon Period (10,000-300 BCE), and highly polished ritual stone objects first seen during the Kofun Period (3rd - 6th centuries CE).

Over the years, a number of uniquely Japanese carving techniques were developed. While it should be noted that many of Asian regions share the mechanical techniques, a few are decidedly Japanese in origin and technique. One of the most interesting (at least in my opinion) is the Yukan technique, which is part of the Koshu crystal carving tradition. It starts with a piece of rough gemstone, which is cut and carved down from a single piece into the final result. The process in chain like in nature, and each step is a continuation of the last with different sizes of iron wheels with sand abrasives and saw blades being used to create more detail. The grinding tools are kept stationary, and the gemstone itself is moved in full rotation around the disk. It is a wonderfully intuitive process, but the artist needs to have a firm, but flexible idea in mind, and be open to adaptation as needed.

The Next Steps

Well, I’ve rambled on long enough, I believe. I am including links to my reference material, and I strongly encourage you to check them out for further information and insight. Also, if you like this article, please let me know in the comments. I am planning on doing other very brief primer articles like this for other areas, but I am undecided as to which to do next.

Please feel free to share and subscribe as you wish.

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Thank you for reading, and as always, happy carving!

References Consulted

https://kogeijapan.com/locale/en_US/koshusuishokisekizaiku/#:~:text=Koshu%20crystal%20and%20precious%20stones,suisho%20kiseki%20zaiku）-%20KOGEI%20JAPAN

https://heritageofjapan.wordpress.com/pacing-the-paleolithic-path/paleolithic-art-in-japan/

https://www.hillpublisher.com/UpFile/202412/20241213100718.pdf

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305440304000421#:~:text=Introduction,12%5D%2C%20%5B27%5D.

https://ijkh.khistory.org/upload/pdf/ijkh-19-1-1.pdf

https://www.ijkaa.org/v.8/0/2/124

https://www.mindat.org/locentry-87356.html

https://www.gia.edu/doc/SP20-chinese-jade-carving-evolution.pdf

https://owlcation.com/humanities/khmer-stone-carvings

https://losangeles.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/hzjl/culture_1/acc/200404/t20040401_5421960.htm#:~:text=The%20second%20was%20a%20small%20hanging%20jade,jade%20objects%20were%20produced%204,000%20years%20ago.

https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2015/05/20/scientists-discover-worlds-oldest-stone-tools/#:~:text=Sonia%20Harmand%20and%20Jason%20Lewis,to%20create%20a%20new%20technology.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-03-17/portable-artworks-found-for-first-time-in-southeast-asia/12046794

Types of Lapidary Arts

Generally speaking, modern lapidary falls into a few basic categories, depending on who you are talking too. Here are the divisions that I like:

• Tumbling

• Cabbing

• Carving

• Engraving

• Faceting

Tumbling

Have you ever picked up a stone out of a river bed? If you have, there is a very good chance that the stone itself felt smooth and rounded to the touch. It may even have a polished look or feel to it. This comes from the rock being tumbled and beaten by other rocks and the water itself as it exists in the river bed.

Well, at some point, a lapidarist (someone who practices lapidary, also called a lapidary… yeah, it can get confusing. Wait until I go into the actual etymology of the word and the history in a later post. It’s pretty wild.) wanted to get the same effect. So they took some stones, put them into a container with an abrasive, and mimicked what the river did over time.

Tumbling can act as the gateway point to the other subcategories. It’s pretty easy to do, relatively cheap (most tumblers range in price between $30 and $500), and for the resultant rocks can be used in multiple different projects. For many it’s a great introduction.

However, there are some drawbacks to rock tumbling. First, it can be messy. The grit slurry used as the abrasive can get into absolutely everything. Be fully prepared to dedicate a set of clothes, a section of your yard or garage, or basement to being permanently embedded with grime. Second, it can take a good amount of time. If you’re looking for something with a quick turn around time, this is probably not the best choice.

Can you make money tumbling rocks? Yes and no. Tumbling rocks is a fantastic way to get material to use in other pieces, but if you want to make any type of income from tumbled rocks themselves, you’d have to deal with quantities that are just not economically feasible for most individuals.

However, the next category may be a more pragmatic choice in that regard.

Cabbing or Cabochon Cutting

Cabochon cutting, or what is more commonly known as cabbing is one of the easiest ways to learn about lapidary. It is the art of making cabochons. Cabochons, are stones or gemstones that have been ground and polished into rounded shapes, with one side that is usually flat. They can be used in pendants, earrings, rings, and in mosaic artwork to name a few. It is also an ancient art, with examples of cabochons. existing from ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Egyptian artifacts to name a few.

Next to tumbling, cabbing is one of the most straightforward techniques to learn. It simply takes a series of grinding abrasives, water to cool the stone, if needed, patience and time. The trick for cabbing is to not rush things, and to allow the grinding wheel and stone to work together to get the shape and final polish that is desired.

Just like anything else, the equipment needed for cabbing can range in price. Most cabbing machines, which have successively finer grits on the multiple grinding wheels start around $200 for basic models, and top out at around $1500 for the more expensive ones. However, there are ways to reduce the initial cost to around $100 if money is an issue. The low cost versions, however, don’t often last as long, and will require more effort on the part of the lapidarist.

Is cabbing a good way to make money? It can be. It depends on the quality of the stone used, and the skill of the lapidarist. Some pieces of jewelry made with cabochons. can easily be sold for hundreds of dollars to the right customer. Or, you can use a quantity model if you have the time and inclination. For most people, cabbing starts as a hobby, and they accidentally stumble into the business side of things later.

Cabbing is honestly a very fun, relaxing and relatively inexpensive way to create something beautiful out of small stones, and I highly recommend it to all who want to give it a try.

Carving

Gemstone or small stone carving involves the use of tools and materials to carve small stones or gemstones into recognizable 3D objects. They final object can be just about anything. Examples from history range from scarab beetles and frogs, to dragons and abstract art. The main characteristics is that they are three dimensional, relatively small, and very detailed.

The tools used in gemstone or small stone carving in modern times consist primarily of a rotatory tool, diamond or carbide tipped burrs depending on the stone being carved, possibly a wet saw, and polishing equipment and compounds for finishing the project.

This art can be a little daunting to undertake, especially for the beginner. That being said, I strongly encourage people to try it out if they are so inclined. It is so much fun to create something using these techniques. It’s one of the best ways to use your imagination and create something truly unique.

As far as the overall financial cost of carving, it can vary widely. It depends partly on whether it is done as a hobby for fun, as a business endeavor, or a mixture of both. But generally speaking the equipment needed will cost roughly between $200 and $500 for decent quality. That being said, there are cheaper options available if so desired.

A lot of the cost comes not in equipment, but in materials and time. Rough gemstones, which can often be bought in bulk range in price widely depending on the individual stone or mineral, amount purchased, and their shipping origin. There is also the cost of handling and ship, which can be significant. A hobbyist can usually get what they need by exploring their surrounding area, or buying a few rough pieces. If you want to do lapidary carving as a business, you’re looking on spending between $10 and $300 per pound of material. Each piece can take anywhere from a few hours or a few days to complete.

All that being said, a gemstone carving, completed by a skilled artist can fetch anywhere from $10 to close the $600 dollars depending on the detail and material used. Perhaps even more.

Engraving

Stone engraving is the art of creating the illusion of a three dimensional image on a two dimensional surface. You see it every day in various types of jewelry and artwork. Traditional cameos, or intaglio are two common examples of engraving.

Cameos are considered a type of positive relief engraving; it is formed by pushing away, or engraving out the area around your image to create a raised finished project. Intaglio engraving occurs when you carve into the gemstone, so that the image itself creates a negative relief compared to the surrounding stone.

Another type of engraving is known as reverse intaglio, or Essex Crystal. It is when a very detailed image is carved into the flat back of a transparent crystal, such as quartz, and then painted with oils to create a three dimensional image when viewed from the opposite side. It requires specialized tools, brushes, and sealing materials, and was very popular in the Victorian Era.

When it comes to equipment used in engraving, there are two main routes that one can take. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.

The first is to use more traditional hand tools, such as hammer and chisels, gravers, burins, files, and abrasive material. The benefits of a more traditional method is that the overall cost of materials and equipment is somewhat reduced. Also, there are less moving parts to break, and the equipment itself can last for decades if well maintained. However, using traditional hand tools for engraving takes significantly longer per piece, and can cause stress injuries over time. It is also difficult, but not impossible to get the same basic product over multiple instances.

The second set of methods used for engraving is to use more modern tools, such as machine driven rotatory tools, laser etching, or acid. Advantages of these methods include a reduction in overall time per piece, the ability to replicate designs relatively easily, and less wear and tear on your body during the production process. However, the overall convenience does come at a cost. Quality mechanized engraving equipment is markedly more expensive. In most cases you should be prepared to spend somewhere between $200 and $1000 on your set up, depending on the brands and quality desired. Also, the overall cost of maintenance and repair can be daunting to say the least. For example to maintain a mid-ranged quality laser engraver costs about 3% of the initial cost per year to maintain.

So, if your engraver costs about $600, you’ll have to spend at least $18 per year just to keep things running smoothly. And that cost doesn’t include repairs if something goes wrong.

Engraving, much like carving does take a bit of time, and patience to learn. It’s not very beginner friendly, and can be frustrating. However, with time, effort and lots of patience it can become quite rewarding. And once you get the hang of it, it can be quite fun!

As far as making money with engraving, it can be done. However, if you want to make a business out of engraving, its best to focus on quality rather than quantity. A quality engraved gemstone can sell anywhere from $30 up to $450, or $500.

Faceting

When it comes to lapidary work, most people think of faceting, or gem cutting. And it’s not surprising. A skilled lapidarist can create some truly beautiful specimens.

I like to think of faceting like a game of chess. Hear me out. The actual act of creating a facet in a gemstone is relatively simple. You simply position the gemstone at a particular angle to the grinding surface and grind away material until you get the size and shape that you want for that facet. One facet would be akin to one piece on the chessboard moving.

But chess isn’t played with just one piece. The same is true when faceting a gemstone. Each facet you create has it’s own part to play, it’s own “move” to make. The complexity comes in when you combine multiple facets on one gemstone. How each facet interacts with each other, and the light coming into the gemstone is essential for a great piece.

And it’s not only the size and shapes of the facets that need to be taken into consideration. Often the gemstone type, it’s clarity, and any inclusions need to be accounted for. Many lapidarist today use computer programs to help them design faceting diagrams. These diagrams then act as guides for creating a faceted gemstone.

I won’t lie to you. The equipment for faceting can be rather pricey. The initial cost can range between $200 and $2500 depending on the quality and brand desired. Then the cost of materials, such as rough gemstones, abrasives, lubricants, dopping materials, and polishing compounds can cost in the hundreds of dollars as well. For many beginning lapidarist, faceting might not be the first step to take.

Does that mean you shouldn’t give it a try? Absolutely not! In the beginning, the best course of action is to use the “try before you buy” approach, in my opinion. Go take a class at your local rock shop. Adopt a wild lapidarist. Attend the next meeting of a local rock and gem group, or lapidary group. They are often called “guilds” and are fantastic ways to get to learn techniques, talk shop and learn some great things about rocks in general. Then, if you feel this is something you want to do, make the investment, and start practicing.

Now, considering the kind of financial and time commitment that is needed for faceting, you might be surprised that you can still make a fair bit of money at it. Truth is, by the piece, faceting is one of the most cost effective ways to make money doing something that you love. Imagine working on an emerald for about four days, and being able to sell it to a jewelry maker for close to $10,000 per carat. The average is much lower than that, usually around $10 to $20 per carat, but it has been known to happen.

So What Now?

If this article has peaked your interest in lapidary, here’s what I want you to do. Three simple things:

Find a lapidary group in your area. Go to one of the meetings and just have fun. Trust me, we’re always looking for new converts.

Comment below which topic you’d like me to explore next. Right now under consideration is the history of lapidary, a deeper dive into engraving, and tips and tricks to choosing the ultimate small stone for carving.

And finally, please come over and check out my shop Tengri Treasures (www.tengritreasures.com). There you’ll find my original bead work, copper smithing, and yes a few lapidary pieces for purchase.

Art.

Faith.

Creating.

And while I spent many years keeping things private, sharing only once in a while, I am realizing that if I want to make a real difference in the world around me, and to have my business Tengri’s Treasures grow to match my vision, staying in the shadows is no longer an option.

A Place to Share

So I’m using Substack as a place to share. I’ll be sharing progress on various projects for Tengri’s Treasures, insights into carving and lapidary work, reactions to science in the news, and yes, even the occasional writings on my pagan faith.

I’ll be posting at least once a week, but will be aiming for more than that. The plan is to have both video and written blog posts.

Paid subscriptions will get more perks, of course. I will do my best to make sure the quality and consistency does not reduce. That’s my promise to you.

Will Your Join Me?

I won’t promise you the world, or even the moon. But what I will promise is that I will make every effort possible to make these posts insightful, enjoyable, and something that you look forward to. All that I ask is that you join me, at least for a little while.

Sincerely,

Laura

Tengri’s Treasures