Club offers stone polishing classes

JEWELRY AND LAPIDARY CLUB

Greg Meyers was first introduced to lapidary over 50 years ago while he was in the Air Force. However, his interest in lapidary was truly ignited 13 years ago, when he joined the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society located at the Crater Rock Museum in Medford, Oregon. It was at this time that he also took silversmithing classes.

One of the reasons Meyers moved to Leisure World seven years ago was the presence of a lapidary studio. Four years ago, after becoming active in the Jewelry and Lapidary Club, he became a supervisor and lapidary instructor. He is also responsible for maintaining the lapidary equipment.

While here at Leisure World, Meyers has developed his silversmithing skills and has been mounting his polished stones in silver pendants. He has also participated in the Leisure World arts and crafts shows selling his jewelry. Some of his pieces are on display in the display case in front of the Jewelry and Lapidary Club in Clubhouse 4.

Lapidary is the process of cutting, shaping and polishing stones on a cabbing machine. With a little practice it takes about a half an hour to create a polished stone. Meyers offers ongoing classes that are about two hours long starting at 1 p.m. on Monday afternoons and Fridays at 9 a.m. All supplies and equipment are provided for a nominal fee of $5, which also includes a stone to work on. Reservations are not required. Anyone who would like more information can drop by the studio in Clubhouse 4 on Monday afternoons or Friday mornings while Meyers is supervising.

Meyers gets great satisfaction from polishing stones and being able to create something beautiful. The Jewelry and Lapidary studio has much more to offer than just lapidary. People are invited to explore their options Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

—Jan Friedland