Our handicraft

techniques of precious stone engravings

Our main tool is a small lathe with a horizontally lying shaft. This shaft can be put on with different tools in form of slices, balls, cones and needles. Boards contain lots of those small tools. An electric motor makes 3000 up to 5000 revolutions per minute. Both hands lead the precious stone to this fixed spindle. This requires highest precision and deep knowledge of the stones' characterics.


work at the engraving


The rotating tools are continuously coated with powder containing diamond dust and are additionally oiled. The tool is kept cool and simultaneously covered with a rough surface, because the diamond parts penetrate the weak iron mass of the tools while engraving.
In addition to those traditional iron tools, we use also tools containing diamond ingredients.
Flexible lathes are used for bigger objects.
The polishing is made with wood, leather or other soft materials in combination with water and special polishing pastes.


Some elements of the finished engraving are polished with a special powder.


Some elements of the finished engraving are polished with a special powder.


A cameo is cut in its future form with a diamond cutting slice.



Procedure of polishing of a citrin at the horizontally rotating polishing slice (alloy of zinc and lead). The finished stone can be discovered in the category "unique jewelry".


A citrin is cemented for treatment.


 

This description may only give a reduced view to the art of engraving.

We would be delighted to welcome you here if you have any other question about the techniques and products.
You may even try yourself !

If you want to be invited to the next exhibition, please make use of our contact page.
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Historical development

Stone engraving, also called glyptic (ancient Greek), not only relates to cutting cameo (stones engraved with relief), but also to production of smaller items of decoration and adornment.

 

The oldest engravings are hollow cylinders covered with symbols and figures, used as amulets or seals. They were found in the areas once inhabited by the Sumer, Babylon and Assyrians.

 

The first seals ever made were with simple scratches, ever since the 4th millineum B.C. First stone engraving showing figures were the famous Scarab in Egypt.


The ancient Greek used to professionalize the art of stone engraving. So did the Romans. During the Middle Ages the further development of stone engraving came to a halt. During Renaissance period Italy rediscovered this ancient art. Today, this art of engraving is considered to be at fairly high level of development and technology, combining creativity and a tight link to our clientel. Worldwide, the center today is in Idar-Oberstein, Germany and its region.