My independent study centers on developing new metal-smithing techniques, particularly in incorporating a range of raw opals into my work.
I was gifted a bag of hand-mined raw opals from Australia in April of 2025. When I was deciding on my independent study topic this year, I was reminded of these stones, but the only way I could incorporate them effectively was to learn how to cut them. I learned about the Gem and Mineral Society through my job at Metalmorphosis Jewelry Studio. Through this organization, I was able to learn basic lapidary skills and eventually cut my opals.
In addition to stone cutting, I learned the technique of prong setting. I chose to incorporate both a raw and a cut stone as a way of alluding to my process.
Lapidary
This is a piece of agate I was given to cut as practice before I cut any of my own. Most of the first-cut process was not documented, but these are pictures of the almost-final polish before I removed the stone from the dowel.
