Agate, Bloodstone, Corundum: Small-scale Semi-precious Stonecutting

This course will cover the fundamentals of cutting small semi-precious stones to create adornment, small objects, and tools. We will focus on transforming rough stones such as quartz, chalcedony, jasper, and some corundum using lapidary tools such as stone saws, cutting wheels, flat laps, and small flex-shaft carving burrs.

Students who commit to all in-person classes and campus studio independent work sessions can expect to finish cutting at least one cabochon (smooth round or oval domed stone) and one alternate stone project, such as a bullet-shaped stones for an agate burnishing tool, or a flat ‘buff’ shaped stone carved with a stone stamp or signet-like design.

We will not cover complex faceting of stones, stone setting, or fine-metalsmithing in this 2-credit course. A separate introductory 4-credit stone-setting course titled “Capturing Gems: Metalsmithing Techniques for Setting Stones” will be offered in the second half of the 2022 summer term.