lapidary
Artisan of gems
Lapidary relates to the cutting, polishing, and engraving of precious stones.
A lapidary is a person who works with gems, or the art itself.
As an adjective, lapidary describes the precise, polished quality of such work—extended to writing that is carefully crafted and elegantly concise: lapidary prose, a lapidary style.
The word suggests something chiseled to perfection, with no wasted effort.
Dividing via sharp edge
- facetingCutting angled surfaces
- polishingSmoothing by friction
- cabochonDomed, unfaceted gemstone
- carvingShaping by cutting away
engraving · inlay · etching · tumbling · grinding · setting · mounting · cleaving
Crystallized carbon gemstone
- rubyPrecious red gemstone
- sapphireBlue precious corundum
- emeraldGreen precious beryl
- amethystPurple semiprecious quartz
opal · jade · garnet · topaz · turquoise · aquamarine · citrine · peridot
Smooth, refined, accomplished
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
- refinedPurified or cultured
- preciseExactly correct, no error
- chiseledSharply cut, well-defined
succinct · incisive · concise · meticulous · crisp · pithy · terse · laconic
Closed curve shape
- pendantSuspended jewelry ornament
- broochDecorative fastening ornament
- necklaceNeck-worn ornament
- braceletOrnamental wrist band
earrings · tiara · cufflinks · locket · amulet · cameo · intaglio · signet ring
Pocket-sized detail viewer
- wheelRotating circular frame
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- abrasiveRough enough to erode
- tumblerFlat-bottomed drinking vessel
polisher · lap · chisel · graver · burnisher · mandrel · calipers · refractometer
One who facets stones
- stonecutterOne who shapes rock
- jewelerGem and metal artisan
- engraverOne who incises designs
- goldsmithPrecious metal artisan
silversmith · craftsman · gemologist · setter · polisher · carver · appraiser · master craftsman
cutting
Dividing via sharp edge
carving · engraving · inlay · etching · tumbling · grinding · setting · mounting · cleaving · blocking
diamond
Crystallized carbon gemstone
amethyst · opal · jade · garnet · topaz · turquoise · aquamarine · citrine · peridot · moonstone
polished
Smooth, refined, accomplished
chiseled · succinct · incisive · concise · meticulous · crisp · pithy · terse · laconic · measured
ring
Closed curve shape
bracelet · earrings · tiara · cufflinks · locket · amulet · cameo · intaglio · signet ring · cocktail ring
loupe
Pocket-sized detail viewer
tumbler · polisher · lap · chisel · graver · burnisher · mandrel · calipers · refractometer · spectroscope
gem cutter
One who facets stones
- stonecutterOne who shapes rock
- jewelerGem and metal artisan
- engraverOne who incises designs
goldsmith · silversmith · craftsman · gemologist · setter · polisher · carver · appraiser · master craftsman
- craftspeoplepotter, weaver, blacksmith, artisan, potters
- artisan craftshandmade goods, fine jewelry, artisan crafts, handcrafted furniture, watchmaking
- craftsmenblacksmith, carpenter, cobbler, mason, weaver
- gemstone-derived termsruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, amber, amethyst
- fine craftsfiligree, cloisonne, enamelwork, lacework, marquetry
- gem craftsgem cutting, faceting, cabochon, gem setting, jewelry design