Who I am

I am the founder of The Lapidary Office, a stay-at-home parent, and a passionate lapidary artist specializing in precision gemstone faceting.

My professional life started in the construction world at the age of 15. I gained deep, hands-on experience in essential building trades, including framing, drywall, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. This history instilled in me an unwavering focus on structural integrity, meticulous measurement, and the demanding patience required for complex, detail-oriented work.

The transition from the construction site to the lapidary bench happened shortly after my daughter was born. While visiting my father, he introduced me to the art of faceting. We cut gems side-by-side in his lab, and after just 16 hours of cutting, I was completely hooked.

Since 2018, I've channeled that obsession and my lifelong dedication to precision into this business. Lapidary is the perfect marriage of my skills, applying the same rigorous standards of quality and detail I learned in construction to the microscopic scale of a custom-faceted gemstone.

What I do

My daily focus is a balance of precision work and family management.

On the business front, I am responsible for every step of the process. My primary work is the faceting of custom gemstones, maximizing brilliance through meticulous cutting and polishing. I also handle cabbing (shaping and polishing cabochon-style gems), manage all photography to accurately represent the quality of the stones, and oversee the entire logistics chain, including shipping and effective online advertising.

Beyond the workbench, I am a devoted husband and dedicated father to a wonderful girl. This means my day also includes maintaining our home, managing the never-ending list of repairs, and providing the constant support and structure my family needs. Ultimately, I apply the same dedication to detail and structural integrity whether I’m finishing a gemstone, fixing a faucet, or simply navigating the beautiful complexities of fatherhood.

Why I do it

My passion for gem cutting is rooted in a fundamental choice we made for our family. When my wife became pregnant, we knew we wanted one of us to stay home with our baby. After comparing paychecks, I conceded that my career in construction was the one to set aside. Though it meant a significant shift, it became the foundation for this business to start.

The unexpected gift of that career change was discovering my passion for lapidary. Once I began cutting gems, I found that the meticulous focus and patience I learned in construction translated perfectly to the workbench.

Today, my greatest satisfaction comes from the sentimental connection I build with my clients and their projects. Knowing that the precision I put into every facet will be a lasting heirloom—a representation of a family milestone, a cherished memory, or a symbol of love—is why I continue to turn rough stone into brilliance. My work is not just about cutting gems; it's about helping to create something beautiful and meaningful that lasts..

My Shop

Workshop workspace with a black ergonomic chair, a workbench with tools and equipment, shelves with various supplies, and a garage door.

Welcome to my faceting station. This is where I meticulously dop, transfer, and cut rough material into brilliant finished gemstones. I use Laps from Hyper Edge and Gear loose. my machine is made from parts salvaged and modified from old ULTRA TEC faceting Machines.

Workstation with baking equipment, including a dough sheeter, a heat sealer, a laminated towel, shelves with various tools, and decorative plates in plastic sleeves on the wall.

My dedicated cabbing station handles all rough material preparation, including slabbing, trimming, and preforming. Key equipment features a 10-inch Covington Engineering slab saw, a 4-inch trim saw, and a 6-inch Cab King.

Scientific laboratory workspace with a microscope, lab scales, chemicals, a clipboard, and a gem refractometer on a glass countertop.

My Lab and Shipping station is where the finished gemstones are inspected, packaged, and prepared for shipping.

A small photography studio setup with a reflective backdrop and a camera on a tripod, focusing on a dark cloth-covered object on a white pedestal, connected to a power source.

This is my Photography and Videography Station. All visual content is captured in this professional 40-inch light box to ensure the highest quality representation of the finished gemstones. i acquired everything you see here on Amazon

What I produce

A close-up of a faceted, clear gemstone, a Montana sapphire, resting on a dark textured surface.
A small, oval, Amethyst gemstone resting on a gray textured surface.
Close-up of a large, faceted bi color Citrine gemstone on a dark fabric background.
A large clear faceted Brazilian quartz egg with a rounded top and flat base featuring frosted facets of hearts , resting on a black surface.
Close-up of a blood orange Citrine faceted gemstone against a textured gray background.
A clear, precision faceted Topaz on a gray textured surface.
A pink, round, faceted Montana Sapphire gemstone on a black textured surface.
Two raspberry , oval-shaped rhodolite garnets placed on a textured gray surface.
A large, faceted, cushion-cut Prasiolite gemstone resting on dark fabric background.
Arizona Peridot and Rhodolite garnet gemstone pairs arranged together nicely like Christmas ornaments.

Contact me today for your free consultation!

TXT/Phone (602) 492-2147

Email: ian@thelapidaryoffice.com

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