Lapidary Techniques

Many things can be done to a Lake Superior agate in order to make it more beautiful and attractive. This process is called “lapidary”.

Here, we will explore the different ways that a Lake Superior agate can be treated.

First, there is mineral oil. Mineral oil fills the microscopic cracks in the actual agate, and makes it shinier and more vibrant.

Secondly, there is tumbling. Tumbling is when you take the agates and put them into a container filled with fine particles of rock, called grit. The container rotates and slowly polishes the agate. This can take up to a few weeks to complete.

Thirdly, there are slabs. Slabs are pieces of agate cut into slices by diamond saws, and they are very versatile.

After that, there is cabochonning. This is when you take a slab and polish it into an oval. These are very attractive, and are often found in jewelry.

Then, there is face polishing. This is when a portion of the agate is selected for polishing, and the rest is left rough. This creates a very natural look to the agate.

Next, there are marbles. This is when a Lake Superior agate is cut, and then polished into a sphere. This is extremely difficult, and quite uncommon.

Finally, there is carving. This is when you take a lake superior agate and carve it with a diamond knife. This is considered the most difficult form of lapidary procedures, and is done extremely rarely.

In conclusion, these are the ways that a Lake Superior agate can be treated by lapidary.