Lapidary is the art and craft of transforming rough stones, minerals, and fossils into polished, decorative pieces. This can include cutting and shaping gemstones, grinding and polishing cabochons, wire-wrapping stones, creating silver or metal settings, carving, inlay work, and designing custom jewelry. Lapidary combines geology, craftsmanship, and creativity—celebrating the natural beauty of the materials while enhancing them through skillful shaping and finishing.

Many KYANA members are skilled lapidaries and silversmiths who transform stones, minerals, and fossils into unique works of jewelry. The pieces below showcase some of the handcrafted creations made by our members.

Bruce Chang has created this barrette of copper with a nickel and chromium wire.

Bruce Chang has created an ensemble of jewelry with this necklace, turquoise silver ring, copper wire earrings, copper barrette and copper-brass hair pin.

Sterling silver earrings made from 24 gauge silver sheet. Brushed and polished triangles have soldered posts. This is the finished product from Shevvy Baker’s earring drawing for “Design Challenge Triangle” in the November 2008 issue of Lapidary Journal–Jewelry Artist magazine.

Shevvy Baker created this silver–copper–pearl necklace.

Ellen Christian created this emerald–diamond ring.

Long-time member and instructor Allen Jewell made this Biggs jasper bolo set in sterling silver. Learn more about Allen at this web page.

Allen Jewell created this necklace. Thanks to owner Sherry Lindle for allowing it to be photographed.

Fossil pin created by Betty Hansel – polished half of a fossil ammonite from Madagascar, Upper Jurassic. Peyote stitch with seed beads.

Betty Hansel created this necklace with a Mississippian-age crinoid calyx on matrix from Crawfordsville, Indiana. Peyote stitch with seed beads.

Charlie Oldham’s wire-wrapped, polished half of a fossil ammonite from Madagascar, Upper Jurassic. Wire is 14K gold filled, bail not complete.

Charlie Oldham created this wire-wrapped Montana picture agate in 14K gold-filled wire.

Pendant of quartz variety citrine in a brilliant cut by Rick and Linda.

Pendant of quartz variety rock crystal in a brilliant cut by Rick and Linda.

Necklace and earring set – carved pink coral beads strung with white and black freshwater pearls with 14K gold-filled findings and beads. Created by Charlie Oldham.

Necklace with banded rhodochrosite from Argentina, strung with seed beads and freshwater pearls. Created by Betty Hansel.

Necklace of “old” (circa 1950) crazy lace agate from Mexico, with seed beads, strung with fossil limestone from Italy and freshwater pearls. Created by Betty Hansel.

Amethyst necklace and earring set. Created by Sandy.

Bruce Chang has fashioned this set of copper wire earrings with enamel.

Bruce Chang created this copper and brass wire hair pin.

Another piece of jewelry created by Bruce Chang – a turquoise silver ring.