Lapidary is the cutting and polishing of colored stones. The person who does the actual work is called a lapidary or a lapidist. Professional lapidaries flourished in Assyria, Babylonia, and Egypt more than 6,000 years ago.
Colored stones may be cut in several ways. Different machines and techniques are used, depending on the type of stone being cut. For example, lapidaries cut some stones in a style called cabochon, with a rounded top and a flat bottom. Many gems, such as diamonds, are cut so they have numerous flat, polished facets (surfaces). Lapidary also includes the carving and engraving of gems.
Professional lapidaries have traditionally kept their methods secret. During the 1920’s in the United States, several men who collected gems as a hobby decided to learn how to cut and polish their own stones. They built equipment and developed cutting and polishing techniques by trial and error. Amateur lapidary art soon became a popular hobby. Today, there are many amateur lapidary clubs, some of which have groups for teen-agers. However, most diamond cutting is done by professionals because of the special machines and methods involved.
