Lapidary Art
Lapidary art consists of shaping and cutting gemstones in order to reveal their natural beauty.
Lapidary artists possess in-depth knowledge of the chemical and physical properties specific to each gemstone family and are able to use various transformation techniques in order to preserve a maximum weight while at the same time highlighting the brilliance and colours of each gemstone.
For each technique covered, students will learn to recognize the physical and chemical properties of different materials in order to transform their rough stones in the best possible way.
The ultimate goal of this program is to enable each student to become autonomous and equipped with the necessary knowledge to evaluate and anticipate how gemstone materials will react in order to advise future clients.
By the end of the program, students will have acquired an understanding of various transformation techniques: multi-form stone cutting, faceting, sculpture, engraving, and assembling, as well as the complete polishing process.
After completing the Lapidary Art program at the École de joaillerie de Montréal, students will receive a diploma that is well recognized within the jewellery industry.
** In the situation of abandon, reimbursement conditions apply. Please see the Registration section.
Registrations winter 2023
From November 29th, leave a message in the voice mail box or by email, with your name, phone number and the course you are interested in, and we will call you back in order of contact. Calls and emails received before the registration start time will not be considered.
Please contact us from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm to finalize your registration.
Phone number : 514-281-9922, extension 201
Email : ejm-info@bellnet.ca
* In the situation of abandon, reimbursement conditions apply. Please see the Registration section.
OUR LAPIDARY ART INSTRUCTORS
YVES ST-PIERRE
Yves Saint-Pierre began his training in 1975 at the École de joaillerie et de métaux d’art de Montréal, and apprenticed stone cutting and polishing with Daniel Ungerson. His work includes a number of lamps, sculptures and ornaments created with his hand cut stones. He is now one of the very few lapidary artists in Quebec. He teaches at the École de joaillerie de Montréal since 1994 and has taken part in numerous exhibitions throughout Canada and abroad.
CHRISTIANE MORIN
An enthusiastic collector for over 30 years, Christiane has been acquiring, through the course of her travels, gemstones from all around the world. Noticing the poor quality of their cut, she began learning lapidary art with Yves St-Pierre and benefited from the wise advice of the late Stephen Kotlowski, master lapidary. For more than ten years now, she has been cutting stones professionally for her international clientele and renowned private collections.
COURSES
| Length | Course | Objectives | Cost | Cost of materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 h | Lapidary Art, level 1 with Yves St-Pierre |
Students will be introduced to the techniques of cutting and polishing stones into flat and domed cabochons. They will learn to shape opaque gems to reveal their ornamental features, using the water wheel and diamond saw in a safe manner. | $ 310 | ± $ 30 |
Prerequisites: None
| Length | Course | Objectives | Cost | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 h | Faceting, level 1 with Christiane Morin |
Learning faceting techniques. Participants will become familiar with the faceting machine and its components (dops, laps, angles, position, pole, cheater, etc) so that they can handle the various elements safely and confidently. They will learn the appropriate terms for the different parts of a cut stone. | $ 390 | ± $ 50 |
Prerequisites: None
| Length | Course | Objectives | Cost | Cost of materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 h | Lapidary Art, level 2 with Yves St-Pierre |
Deepening of the basic knowledge in lapidary art: participants will learn how to shape gemstones using the different structures of the stones: cleavage planes and directional colours. Freehand faceting of semi-transparent and transparent stones. Notions of light reflection will be discussed. Introduction to stone drilling. | $ 310 | ± $ 30 |
Prerequisites: Lapidary Art, level 1
| Length | Course | Objectives | Cost | Cost of materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 h | Faceting, level 2 with Christiane Morin |
Deepening of faceting techniques. Understanding of refractive indices and critical angles, as well as the journey of light through stone. Participants will learn how to calculate different ratios and maximize the colour of the stone, and the basics of maintaining a faceting machine will be covered. | $ 390 | +/- $ 50 |
Prerequisites: Faceting, level 1
| Length | Course | Objectives | Cost | Cost of materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 h | Faceting, level 3 with Christiane Morin |
To maximise the beauty of a gemstone it is sometimes necessary to consider re-cutting or restoring it. In this workshop participants will learn how to evaluate the angles of the pavilion and crown, how to choose the type of design according to the stone and how to close a window. The principle of repairing a chip on the crown or table will be discussed. A theoretical part will allow the right choice to be made as to whether to buy a rough stone or a faceted stone that would benefit from being re-cut. Through exercises, the students will observe a few stones and will be able to better distinguish the possibilities of cutting or re-cutting. | $ 390 | ± $ 50 |
Prerequisites: Faceting, level 2
| Length | Course | Objectives | Cost | Cost of materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 h | Engraving and small sculptures with Yves St-Pierre |
Teaching the different ways of engraving and carving using the different diamond points. Learn how to choose the tools according to the desired shapes. Learn the different steps to follow for a good final result. | $ 150 | To come |
Prerequisites: Lapidary Art, level 1
| Length | Course | Objectives | Cost | Cost of materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14h | Marquetry and assembly with Yves St-Pierre |
In this workshop, students will learn about the different assembly techniques. They will make doublets, triplets and marquetry pieces. It differs from mosaic by the precision of the size of the pieces which are well joined. There will be a presentation of different adhesives and their particularities. |
$ 215 | +/-60$ |
Prerequisites: Lapidary Art, level 1
| Length | Course | Objectives | Cost | Cost of materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 h | Tool making with Yves St-Pierre |
Theoretical courses to help students make the right choice when buying a rough stone or a faceted stone that would benefit from being recut. By means of exercises, students will observe a few stones and will be able to better distinguish the possibilities of cutting or re-cutting. | $ 215 | To come |
Prerequisites: To have followed the workshop “Lapidary art, level 1”.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL ANY COURSE
WHICH DOESN’T REACH THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS, ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE.
MATERIAL COSTS MAY VARY ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT PRICE OF METAL.