From our Hands

Cabochon Cutting

 – a cabochon is a stone which has been cut with a dome on top and is often oval in shape. This style of cut is used for opaque and patterned stones such as agate, opal, petrified wood etc. The result is a smooth, highly polished gemstone for the use in Jewellery or as an ornament.

Carving

– the easiest mineral to carve is talc, which is actually a soft rock. A cheap set of wood working tools and fine sandpaper is all you need and can be purchased at the Clubroom.

enameling

– this is the art of melting coloured ground glass enamel powder onto metal surfaces as with beads for necklaces or earrings, or bowls or dishes. The patterns and designs you can create are limitless and the library has several books with designs to get you started

FACETING

– a faceted stone has a series of well-organized flat polished faces (facets). This style of cut is used with transparent gemstones such as sapphire, ruby, quartz, emerald, amethyst etc., and brings out the full natural brilliance and sparkle of these gems

jewellery making

– here you are taught how to hand make silver rings, chains, pendants, bracelets, Brooches, etc. – with or without gemstones that you may have cut and polished yourself

lead lighting

– is the process of cutting clear or coloured glass (smooth or patterned) into smaller pieces, placing lead in between, soldering together then puttying and applying patina and polish to create a particular design which allows light to pass through