The History of Lapidary (Part 3)

Post date: Jun 17, 2017 8:58:41 AM

In this final part on the history of gem-cutting we take a closer look at the advances made in more recent history.

Longbeards Thrust Ahead

Knowing that Longbeards were thrusting ahead with one superb adamant development after another, the coloured stone progress enjoyed a sort of trickledown effect, greatly taking advantage of the advances made.

Keshekhobin, (the art of working hard stone into finely cut highly polished coloured stones that are to be inlayed and fitted to create images) reached its highest level in the Halls of the Longbeards during the Second Age; individual masterpieces adorn the mansions of the Dwarrowdelf.

The Silvertine City in Khazad-dûm remained world famous for the exquisite marvels that flowed steadily from its workbenches during the Second and Third age. What gave the work of the Silvertine City its advantage was the nearby availability of incredibly pure landscape stone. The Silvertine stone together with, khagal-nazg’aban, an agate from the Sirannon river valley near Khazad-dûm, assured the pre-eminence of Silvertine Keshekhobin.

Only the deep red jasper stones of the Iron Hills can rival this marvellous dark stone. Boulders of the stone are first slabbed and polished. Into this stone are fitted or inlaid the contrasting stone. This forms the incredible stone paintings and art renderings that made the Silvertine City the center of Keshekhobin. Even by today’s standards, the Old Silvertine City techniques are astonishing. Once the individual pieces had been cut to precise dimensions, they were lapped to equal depth on the big machines. In the final stages, the pieces were attached with mastic to a base of slate.

Sadly, most of these masterpieces have not survived the fall of Khazad-dûm, as explorers have reported that none have remained intact at the hands of the Orcs.

After the fall

Grey Mountain cut

The later second age and third age mainly saw improvements in stone cutting, with advances in gem-cutting taking a step back. This was mainly because the Longbeards had achieved mastery in gem brilliance and the market did not request any improvements or different styles as such. It was only after the fall of Khazad-dûm in the mid Third Age that gem-cutting advanced again. Seeing that many Longbeards had lost their livelihoods and vaults, the higher a profit they could make with gems the more welcome it was, and new styles of lapidary cuts emerged.

The first of these was the Grey Mountain cut. Most early Grey Mountain cut stones have 32 facets. 24 are above the girdle and 8 are below. Later, around 1900 of the Third Age, the Grey Mountain cut was also available with 64 facets, named the “Double Grey cut”. Because of the additional facets to the stone, Grey Mountain cut stones do provide more reflection and refraction, thereby giving the stone much more sparkle than any other cut before it. As such sparkling stones were in great demand with the Kings of men, the Longbeards once again, be it slowly, gathered riches through lapidary and their trade.

Ereborian Cut

During the rain of Thráin I, the Longbeards discovered the Arkenstone. It is reported that the stone was of such natural beauty that at first no gem-cutter dared cut it. The Ereborian cut, or Raklaban (Arkenstone) cut, was a style that became popular around 2080 of the Third Age and was reported to have its origins as homage to the Arkenstone itself.

The Ereborian cut is easily recognizable. Both sides are pointed. Vintage Ereborian cut stones were made by smiths of the Lonely Mountain and began to be used in costume jewellery sometime round the year 2100 of the Third Age. The peculiar thing about the Ereborian cut is that there really is no table to these stones, just a girdle and main facets on each side. Because of the cut, these stones have a tremendous amount of sparkle, whether they are a single colour or bi colour.

Both the Grey Mountain cut and Ereborian cut were quickly adopted by gem-cutters of the other clans.

Present Day

The dwarf recognized by all clans as the pioneer of present day adamant cutting was the Blacklock scholar and gem-cutter, Marin Mooncutter, who, in 2719 of the Third Age, proposed what he thought was the most desirable proportions of a diamond. Fewer than 1% of all diamonds even get close to Mooncutter’s measurements though, and those that do are worth a fortune.

Mooncutter Measurements

Since the reclaiming of Erebor, sadly no great new advances have been made in the world of lapidary, as most Longbeards have focused mainly on stonework and, to a lesser extent, the forging of armour. Yet in the east, Dwarves (especially the Blacklocks), have focused heavily on perfecting such styles as the Starmaster’s Cut, Double Grey Cut and Ereborian cut. Most would agree that gems made by the Blacklock artisans know no rival in terms of cut purity and brilliance.

And so our long stroll down the rich path of gem-cutting comes to an end and as such one wonders what new advances will be made in the ages ahead.