So where are the stonecutters?

[GenesisGems]

I get bored looking at my own stones all the time. Show me something I haven't seen! I'll start.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122723801/ocean-jasper-drusy-handcut-designer?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122005377/marra-mamba-tigereye-handcut-designer?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122537350/chrysoprase-handcut-designer-cabochon-gg?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122418521/pink-peruvian-opal-handcut-designer?

[GKJdesigns]

Yes, where *are* the stonecutters?! Nice work, Paul - I really like your unusual and free-form stones. I also see some faceted stones in your store. Do you facet as well?

I cut opal almost exclusively and use in it my jewelry. I don't sell loose stones although that may change some day. I'll have to keep your work in mind!

Here's a 1.5 carat Australian black opal that I cut: http://kirchbergerjewelry.com/temp/Black%20Opal.jpg

[GenesisGems]

Gary,

Nice opal! I have not cut much, other than pink and blue Peruvian.

I stopped faceting a few years ago, but I still have plenty of stones available if you are looking for something in particular. I did not list many at this point on ETSY, I save those for the gem shows I do. I don't think Etsy is a good market for the more expensive stones, but I could be wrong.

I checked out your shop. You do really nice work!
I'm only into metal work for about 2 years at this point; and very sporadicly at that.

Still waiting to see the other cutters on this site!

Paul

[Former_Member]

Sorry, I've been hiding in the basement with my machines....

[GenesisGems]

You have to come out of the basement sometime! :)

[SheriEthnicJewelry]

Wow your stones are so beautiful
Have a good luck
Sheri

[StoneTemple]

Good news for me, my work schedual has changed from 1 day off a week to 3 and 4 day weekends (12 hour shifts now), so I am now getting a little cutting done, woo hoo!
Soon I may even list some new stones in the shop, something that has not happened in a long time :D

[Former_Member]

Hello all!
Just joined this team & didn't see a thread for new member intro or anything, so I'll say hey here! :)
My husband's the "stone man" and I dabble. We do cabs, but really enjoy do carving & bead making the most! Our shop (second Etsy shop, have had the first one almost 6 years) will hopefully be open soon and we plan on focusing on all original, one of a kind, as completely handmade as possible pieces.
The shop not being open yet, I can't give any links to it to show work, but here is a link to our Facebook page where I've been posting photos & albums to lead up to opening the new shop! :)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elksong-Jewelry/110631042888

Glad to see there's other folks working their own stone on Etsy & not just a bunch of mass-produced, made-in-China stuff! ;)

[Former_Member]

Crap, typo...meant to say "really enjoy DOING carving & bead making the most!" :/

[GKJdesigns]

I really like your designs, Cherie. The few that I saw on FB looked like you put a lot of thought (and work!) into them. Very nice, and so unique! Looking forward to seeing the new shop...

[Former_Member]

Thanks Gary! Your pieces are stunning, I especially like this one...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100926867/rubellite-tourmaline-sterling-silver

...love metal with character! :)

[Former_Member]

Another cutter here!! :) Two of my current favorites:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/124858772/phenomenal-gem-dinosaur-bone-cabochon

https://www.etsy.com/listing/124863105/hells-canyon-herringbone-wood-cabochon

[GKJdesigns]

Those are great examples of cutting, Ryan. In addition to their artistic appeal, I find them fascinating because of their stories. I mean, how cool is it to wear a part of a dinosaur that is also a beautiful stone?! Or the most unusual piece of petrified wood?

I admire the way that you've told the stories i your listings. I think that's great marketing. After reading yours I've decided to work up a paragraph about the source and formation of Australian opal. A customer taking pride in a stone or piece of jewelry often looks forward to paying a compliment with the fascinating details behind the stone.

[StoneTemple]

Ditto what Gary said, great cutting and descriptions Ryan.
I keep think I should try to find some of that Herringbone wood.

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone,

I just took time out from listing stones for my shop reopening to join this team. I am looking forward to having fellow lapidaries to talk to about our particular craft.

In response to Paul's request to see something new, please check out the Maine Banded Argillite I have listed in my shop, Mainely Agates. It is a metamorphised mudstone I collected on the Penobscot River not far from Mt. Katahdin in Maine. It was blasted out of the river bed when they built Ripogenus Dam. I'm pretty sure you haven't seen that. I haven't figured out how to post the photo here yet.

Paul, the drusy Ocean Jasper listed in your shop is outstanding. I love working with Ocean Jasper also.

[StoneTemple]

Hi Lance
Welcome to the team!
I like the shapes you've cut that Argillite in.
As fas as posting pictures like Ryan did above, you go to your item page, copy the url and paste it here. Or so I've read, never done it before but it makes sense.
Another option is to get a free Flickr account to post your photos on, the free account will only show your last 200 photos. Anyway, again after posting a photo, just click to view it and copy and paste the url like this...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stonetemplelapidary/8530745531/in/photostream
Cheers, Mark

[StoneTemple]

Might as well try my own advice to see if it works...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/125508544/deep-rose-agate-9-x-13-bullet-cabochon?
It works!

[GenesisGems]

Welcome Lance. Look forward to seeing your work!

Mark, I see you have opened another shop. I have not decided whether to open another shop or just a new section in mine.

I have LOTS OF DESTASH!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the tip Mark. I will open a Flickr account first chance.

[Former_Member]

New to the team.
Just washed a 20 pound batch of fresh cut Owyhee Jaspers from last fall. Nothing new yet polished or tumbled to show off.

But I love these and they were from last year rock club show, a guy from Green River area sold me a nice wedged end cut.....got seven good usable slabs.

I prefer bash and tumble, or slab and tumble.....I just don't have time anymore to sit at the Genie like I should. I honestly admire those folks who have retired and have un limited time and space for their rock passion.
Mickey

https://www.etsy.com/listing/117068913/black-mountain-petrified-wood-slabbs

[GenesisGems]

Just a couple from the new section of my shop.

Muuuch more to list!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125963394/cadys-mountain-jasper-lapidary-slab-gg

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126079458/cats-eye-opal-lapidary-rough-gg

[StoneTemple]

Hi Mickey
Welcome to the team!
Owyhee can be a great jasper, hope you got some good ones.
Paul, yes, the other shop is for a friend of mines stones, I wanted to keep it seperate from my goodies. I've been thinking of destashing some of my material as well, I know I'll never get around to cutting most of it.

[Former_Member]

""""Those are great examples of cutting, Ryan. In addition to their artistic appeal, I find them fascinating because of their stories. I mean, how cool is it to wear a part of a dinosaur that is also a beautiful stone?! Or the most unusual piece of petrified wood?

I admire the way that you've told the stories i your listings. I think that's great marketing. After reading yours I've decided to work up a paragraph about the source and formation of Australian opal. A customer taking pride in a stone or piece of jewelry often looks forward to paying a compliment with the fascinating details behind the stone.""""""


Thank you both, I appreciate the compliments. I like to tell stories of things. I personally like to know as much about stuff as I can find out and I find it comforting that customers cannot buy from me without really knowing what they are getting. Too many people just list a stone, say a few words and give measurements- if that. I take a lot of pride in my work and I'm glad to hear that it shows. Thanks for taking a look, you two. :)

[ChrissiLynnDesigns]

Howdy! Been busy with life and other things.

I'm happy to see all the new faces! Thanks for stopping by and joining our little team.

My stonecutting lately has been put on hold, but hope to resume in the near future...I have currently been working on my jewelry designs, and admiring all of the wonderful stone cutters here.

[JanCramer]

I am thinking of listing some stones auction style on facebook. I have more than I can wrap right now. They are all handmade in our studio (Garage).....LOL.
If you are interested please send me a friend request on facebook....it is janice.cramer.14@facebook.com. I have montana moss, agua nueve agate, sonora sunset, etc....once there is some interest I will start posting. Jan :)