The beginning of the end perhaps?

I probably should start this blog with an explanation as to what Jaka Gems is and what it means to me.

I have been surrounded by rocks in various forms for as long as I can remember. My Grandfather started a business some 50 years ago selling rocks, minerals, crystals, fossils and all other related goods. He continued with the hobby until the day he died. I have collected rocks, mainly mineral specimens, for many many years and have quite a large collection at home, and ended up with most of the stock from the shop when my grandparents passed away.

But my real passion lies with Lapidary:


lap·i·dar·y  (lp-dr)

n. pl. lap·i·dar·ies

1. One who cuts, polishes, or engraves gems.

2. A dealer in precious or semiprecious stones.

adj.

1. Of or relating to precious stones or the art of working with them.

2.  a. Engraved in stone.

     b. Marked by conciseness, precision, or refinement of expression: lapidary prose.

     c. Sharply or finely delineated: a face with lapidary features.

I have been cutting stones and cabochons for more than 10 years, a skill that I have picked up from various people, not least of which is my Mum, whom I regard as one of the best opal cutters you will come across. I was a member of the Diamond Valley Gem Club for a number of years (located in Greensborough - a North Eastern suburb of Melbourne) until I moved house. Diamond Valley is where I learnt to do things properly, even trying my hand at some silversmithing. These days I am a member of the Ballarat and District Gem club, but rarely have the time to get there.

It is a pleasure to turn a rough piece of rock into a polished piece of art, and it is one of the most relaxing activities I have ever come across. It is something I have been able to lose myself in, and I quite often lose track of time in the process, something which my wife is none to pleased about.........

It was mid September this year (2012) that I decided that I would share this passion with others and start a small hobby business. My wife said to me that she had thought about it previously and that it should be called Jaka Gems (Jaka coming from our two first names JAmes and KAte), and thus my little venture was born! I started out by creating a facebook page (www.facebook.com/jakagems) and it has now grown into an online store via Storenvy (www.jakagems.storenvy.com). It has been suggested by a couple of people that I should start a blog that goes hand in hand with these sites, so here it is!

This is, and most probably always will be, a part time thing. Purely a hobby that I am hoping to share with others (and perhaps make a little bit of pocket money on the side!). Through this blog I will be sharing with you some of the pieces that I cut and some of the experiences that I have. I will also try and impart some of knowledge about stones that I have learnt over the years.

Here is a bit of a taste of what I do:

This is a small Rhodochrosite cabochon that I cut for my 3 year old daughters birthday on the weekend just gone. Rhodochosite is a mineral found worldwide (this particular piece originates from Broken Hill in New South Wales) and is quite soft in nature. High quality specimens can be blood red and very stunning. The bail on this piece is a sterling silver pinch bail, I simpy drilled a small hole through the cabochon to attach the bail.

 

Update 12/11/2012 - I cut a few more Rhodochrosite cabochons this afternoon and have attached similar bails, the bails on these are slightly bigger, as are the cabs. Rhodochrosite is one of my favorite materials to cut. It is soft which makes it easier, but still takes a really nice shine, which in my experience is uncommon for softer materials.

If what you read above interests you, feel free to follow my blog, or to checkout either of my facebook page or my Storenvy store. You can also contact me via my email address: jakagems@hotmail.com

Also feel free to comment!

Until next time,

James