Lapidary Processes

Rough Rock is cut into slabs 

We have a 10" and 18" saw to cut slabs from rough rock

Mark the areas of the slab which you wish to use and polish.  Notice that different parts of the stone look different so sometimes stones are hard to identify

Slabs are cut into general small shapes before grinding

Trimming allows the significant pattern to be centered in stone

Points and edges are cut down to avoid shaping by grinding

Wax is melted and stones are heated

Dowels are stuck to back of stones with melted wax so that dowels provide handles for the grinding process

Stones can now be handled and polished without grinding down your fingers

Our large cabbing machine has six wheels with different grits to go from start to finish

Sometimes a smaller polisher is used if we need a flat surface.  Here the wheels need to be changed six times.