In primeval times, men made tools out of stone by hitting one stone against another.
They scratched out symbols and primitive scribblings on cavern walls.
So they learned that some stones are harder than others and they can mark the softer stones.
From there they started learning the rocks might be fragmented and this led straight to bruting (which is the shaping of a stone through rubbing against another harder mineral).
Bruting was a particularly slow task and was employed for centuries and slowly better techniques were introduced.
Stones found in streams and streams were smooth and polished because of the continuous running water.
Which led to occupy making a paste of water and sand to shine stones.
By three thousand BC the abilities developed by man led on to the making of seals out of serpentine.
The gemcutters made seals that were formed to form a flat side with a raised handle on the back.
These were valued highly as they were made totally for the individual owner.
Seeing extraordinarily ancient items proves how old the history of lapidary truly is.
Although by today's standards they're rather primitive but the principals are just the same today as they were then.
The Chinese used materials like jade and serpentine (a jade look-alike), they called it yu.
It seemed to be an extremely holy stone to the Aztecs and the Maoris of New Zealand also.
There were several complicated carvings produced by the people of ancient Mexico.
Jade was favored among carvers although it was tough to work with, not only because of the colours but the different cultures wanted them for their beauty and enchanting purposes also.
The early Chinese, Japanese Grecian and Mycenaean, India and Scotland gemcutters found quartz a great mineral to use.
Because of the attention grabbing colors, crystalline quartzes like carnelian, sardonyx, agate, amethyst were extremely popular.
Amber was actually the earliest gem to be made into jewellery because of its lightness, color and also it was simply drilled into.
It was also abundant.
Amber was discovered especially in necklaces from the Orient, Morocco, Afghanistan and the Baltic countries.
Turquoise is another traditional stone which has been used as early as the Egyptian dynasties.
It was ground into a powder form which was employed as a blue eye shade.
The Mexicans, Persians and Tibetans used turquoise considerably as it had been a cherished gem.
For the Germanic folks it was a betrothal stone.
It also was well-liked by the American Indians.
Turquoise is a soft stone and thus was quickly polished with sand and water.
This stone is still well-liked today.
The history of lapidary as you can see goes back in time.
Even in India around 2300 BC gem cutting was practiced.
They utilized the more notable gems like rubies, sapphires, spinel, emeralds and garnets.
They were polished with a natural point; Rubies were left in their natural shape as they were most appreciated by the Indians.
There's so much history of lapidary that has not been covered here.
But there's a lot of info online and books available that you will not be disappointed in becoming more knowledgeable about lapidary.
They scratched out symbols and primitive scribblings on cavern walls.
So they learned that some stones are harder than others and they can mark the softer stones.
From there they started learning the rocks might be fragmented and this led straight to bruting (which is the shaping of a stone through rubbing against another harder mineral).
Bruting was a particularly slow task and was employed for centuries and slowly better techniques were introduced.
Stones found in streams and streams were smooth and polished because of the continuous running water.
Which led to occupy making a paste of water and sand to shine stones.
By three thousand BC the abilities developed by man led on to the making of seals out of serpentine.
The gemcutters made seals that were formed to form a flat side with a raised handle on the back.
These were valued highly as they were made totally for the individual owner.
Seeing extraordinarily ancient items proves how old the history of lapidary truly is.
Although by today's standards they're rather primitive but the principals are just the same today as they were then.
The Chinese used materials like jade and serpentine (a jade look-alike), they called it yu.
It seemed to be an extremely holy stone to the Aztecs and the Maoris of New Zealand also.
There were several complicated carvings produced by the people of ancient Mexico.
Jade was favored among carvers although it was tough to work with, not only because of the colours but the different cultures wanted them for their beauty and enchanting purposes also.
The early Chinese, Japanese Grecian and Mycenaean, India and Scotland gemcutters found quartz a great mineral to use.
Because of the attention grabbing colors, crystalline quartzes like carnelian, sardonyx, agate, amethyst were extremely popular.
Amber was actually the earliest gem to be made into jewellery because of its lightness, color and also it was simply drilled into.
It was also abundant.
Amber was discovered especially in necklaces from the Orient, Morocco, Afghanistan and the Baltic countries.
Turquoise is another traditional stone which has been used as early as the Egyptian dynasties.
It was ground into a powder form which was employed as a blue eye shade.
The Mexicans, Persians and Tibetans used turquoise considerably as it had been a cherished gem.
For the Germanic folks it was a betrothal stone.
It also was well-liked by the American Indians.
Turquoise is a soft stone and thus was quickly polished with sand and water.
This stone is still well-liked today.
The history of lapidary as you can see goes back in time.
Even in India around 2300 BC gem cutting was practiced.
They utilized the more notable gems like rubies, sapphires, spinel, emeralds and garnets.
They were polished with a natural point; Rubies were left in their natural shape as they were most appreciated by the Indians.
There's so much history of lapidary that has not been covered here.
But there's a lot of info online and books available that you will not be disappointed in becoming more knowledgeable about lapidary.
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