Intro to Lapidary: Stone Cutting, Cabochons & Polishing

Beginner lapidary class! Cut, shape & polish stones with diamond saws and cab tools. Stones, eyewear & aprons included.

Date & Time

Thursday, April 30, 2026
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM EDT
(Students are welcome to stay after class for questions, community discussion, and additional lapidary conversation.)

Location

MakeIt Labs
Lapidary Section – Basement Level
25 Crown St
Nashua, NH 03060

About This Event

Curious about cutting and polishing your own stones? This hands-on beginner class is the perfect introduction to the world of lapidary.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of transforming rough stone into polished pieces using professional lapidary equipment, including diamond saws, grinding wheels, and polishing wheels.

This class is designed for complete beginners—no prior experience is necessary.

What You'll Learn

• How to safely use lapidary diamond saws
• How to trim rough stone into workable pieces
• Basic shaping techniques
• How to grind smooth forms and curves
• Cabochon (cab) creation basics
• Progressive sanding and polishing methods
• Intro to selecting stones for future projects
• Common tools used in home lapidary setups

Included With Your Ticket

• Stones provided for practice
• Protective eyewear
• Aprons
• Guided instruction
• Access to the lapidary workspace during class

Instructor

Your instructor is an experienced lapidary enthusiast who has been teaching and working with stone cutting and cabbing for years. This course is structured specifically to help new students build confidence quickly in a safe and welcoming environment.

Bonus After-Class Discussion

Students are invited to stay afterward for an informal discussion covering:

• Upcoming rockhounding and mine field trips
• Where to find rough material
• Recommended beginner tools
• How to continue learning lapidary after class
• Next steps for becoming more involved in the maker community

Ticket Pricing

Ticket TypePriceMakeIt Pro Member $23.18 (includes $3.18 fee)

MakeIt Hobbyist Member $28.52 (includes $3.52 fee)

Non-Member $33.85 (includes $3.85 fee)

What to Bring

• Closed-toe shoes recommended
• Comfortable clothing
• Optional notebook for tips and tool recommendations

Accessibility / Notes

MakeIt Labs is New Hampshire’s community makerspace with classes and workshops across many disciplines. Parking is available onsite.