Lapidary - a hobby for those who take a shine to things
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40243)
United States
September 23, 2020 11:56am CST
Hi friends,
Seeing as later today I will (hopefully) be selling my dad's old lapidary equipment, I thought I would tell you about it.
Lapidary is the art of taking a rock as you find it - and turning it into a shiny polished, and shaped cabochon or "cab" ready to be displayed as a specimen, or worn as jewelry. This all takes place on a series of saws, and grinding "wheels" that are embedded in industrial diamond. (Diamond, being the hardest substance can polish other hard materials)
I remember my dad using these machines as a youngster. It was a hobby he was very good at and enjoyed a lot. So it's a little bitter sweet - but I'm happy to get mom a bit of money out of the deal and very happy to free up space in the garage. Dad had moved the stuff here but hadn't used any of it in years.
There is a smaller polishing unit I know how to use, that I will keep until I decide to sell or not. I do know how to use the polishing wheels, but not the saws.
Photo is mine, of the polishing wheels
11 people like this
9 responses
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
25 Sep 20
Happily we sold it for more than we had hoped
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (183027)
• United States
23 Sep 20
I hope you find a buyer. It seems like enough people would be into that, it wouldn't be very hard to find one.
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
25 Sep 20
Happily it sold right away for more than we had hoped
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@much2say (56635)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Sep 20
@FayeHazel That's wonderful you have those treasures from your dad . . . they must be so beautiful! Maybe one day I'll still try it . . . but the real deal machines would probably do a much better job!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
30 Sep 20
@much2say Thanks, and yes, he was very, very good at lapidary He would do odd shapes and sizes.
Once you learn the basics of the machines you get so much more freedom with what the real machines can do.
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
25 Sep 20
Ah yes, they are large and heavy machines - oh yes. I have so many of dad's finished works. They are treasured to me, now. I hope you do get a small unit, it can be a lot of fun
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@DianneN (247184)
• United States
1 Oct 20
@FayeHazel That's awesome!!! Good for you!
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
30 Sep 20
Thanks! It sold quickly and for more than what I was expecting. There were 5 large pieces of equipment out of the garage. Yay!
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I hope you can sell this with a good profit.@thelme55 (77162)
• Germany
25 Sep 20
@FayeHazel I am glad about that. Have a nice weekend.
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
25 Sep 20
Cool! I'm happy it is useful new knowledge
I'm happy to say it sold for what we wished :-)
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
25 Sep 20
Nice! What are his favorites? I hope that nephew enjoyed the collection
@1creekgirl (41925)
• United States
23 Sep 20
That's a good memory of your dad and hopefully, your mom will get some money from the sale.
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
25 Sep 20
Thanks! It is a fun memory. We got more than what we hoped :-)
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
25 Sep 20
Oh that's cool ! We actually got more than we had hoped. :-) Australian opal and Chrysoprase were 2 of dad's favorites... indeed Australia produces some lovely gems
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