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Gemstone engraving - the high school of gemstone processing

The engraver is the stonemason of the gemstone. He creates on a small scale what the stone sculptor creates on a large scale: three-dimensional objects made of gemstones. It is not for nothing that the profession of stone engraver is a separate apprenticeship in Germany, as it requires even more qualifications and many other tools that are not found in traditional stone cutting.

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was the creator of what is probably the most famous marble sculpture in the world, the David, and a quote is attributed to him that still describes the work of both stone sculptors and engravers today: Michelangelo when asked how he had created this unique work of art: "The David was in the block of marble from the beginning. I only removed what was not part of it".

The engraver must already be able to see the finished figure in the rough stones, otherwise he cannot create the work of art. The famous quote is said to have been made in the 16th century and the same procedure is still used today. The engraver selects a stone that is suitable in terms of size, pattern and structure or is inspired by a stone and recognizes what is inscribed in the stone.

The first step is then not very different from cutting cabochons. The first outer layers of the stone are removed with a saw in order to be able to assess the underlying colors and patterns, then a rough outline of the engraving to be produced is worked out.

The final step is the precise finishing of the engraving with many special tools for the various surface structures. The final step is polishing, if a polished object is desired. However, matt surfaces are often used for engravings in order to better show the structures.

Selected Dumortierite rough stone with brown crust and marked figure

The figure is roughly sawn out with a diamond saw. The rough shape becomes visible.

The finished polished figure after numerous work steps and finishing with fine diamond tools.


Gemstone engravings have now become very expensive, as hardly anyone still completes the long training to become an engraver and the "old hands" are gradually retiring.

Gemstone engravings for resellers in the wholesale store