Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy cutting stones.
When I returned from Australia in 1985, I lived in a two-bedroom apartment. Since I didn’t have room for much lapidary, my options were limited. All I had was a compact 6-inch cabbing machine that needed a home. I didn’t have to worry about slabbing or trimming because at the time I was only cutting opal that I’d brought home from Australia. I soon joined my local lapidary club where I had access to everything else, which is a story for another article.
I had a small closet I wasn’t using that was just right for my glorious lapidary “studio”. I found a cheap, crappy desk set (you can find a small work table on Amazon) that just fit the space and sturdy enough to hold my cabbing machine, a Diamond Gem by Raytech Shaw (which is no longer made).
However, you don’t have to limit yourself to what I had. There are choices aplenty. Here are a couple of cabbing machine suggestions for apartment living: start with a flat lap such as an Ameritool or a High-Tech. Both are affordable, high quality units with plenty of accessories. Plus, I know the Ameritool has a small trim saw. Flat laps are compact and 4-inch trim saws are small. Both are easy to clean and maintain. I have an Ameritool system, but there are others such as High Tech that are also good machines. (There isn’t a huge difference in price between the 6-inch and 8-inch models of either machine. I bought the 8-inch Ameritool plus several additional laps.)
Cabbing is the place to start as a beginner, but if you have some experience or want to try something new while you enjoy apartment life, you can try faceting or carving. Both are great choices for apartments and small spaces. While faceting is ideal if you’re cramped for space, it’s the priciest to get into and the learning curve is steep. Taking classes is highly recommended. On the other, hand carving is actually the more affordable choice overall, but it is very messy. Today, my basement studio space has schmutz all over the place. Besides, I’m totally disorganized. Faceting and carving will have their own posts, so watch out for them.
I don’t recommend tumbling because it can be noisy for both you and your neighbors.
Now I suppose if you’re going to start making rock dust in your shiny new flat, you’re going to need rocks to grind on and make shiny. That means buying rough. The obvious places are rock shops, gem and mineral shows and online.
It might be a bit of a drive but you can find a rock and mineral shop or a show within a couple of hours drive. Just consider it a day trip adventure. If you’re new to the hobby or you’ve never been inside a rock shop, you’re in for an experience. Of course, you’ll find all sort of rocks in about any size you could want. But you’ll also find tools and equipment placed there to seduce you into the dark world of rockhounding.
The same goes for gem and mineral shows where you’ll find everything from micro-crystals and fossils to slabs and cabs to beads and jewelry. Vendors galore. Many of these shows are put on by rock and mineral organizations, so you’ll find various exhibits; seminars on faceting, cabochon cutting, silversmithing and jewelry making; plus information about the organization.
There are plenty of online businesses that sell slabs. Many rock shops have online storefronts. Kingsley North Lapidary Supply and Fire Mountain Gems & Beads are two of the larger brick and mortar dealers with an online presence, that sell good quality rough and slabs. Both eBay and Etsy are great websites to find all kinds of vendors who sell both slabs and smaller rough material. And, of course, there are small businesses or individuals who are cutters themselves and want to sell off material they’ve accumulated over time. As with any online purchase, it’s buyer beware, most people are honest, but there are always the unscrupulous few.
Ever hear of urban rockhounding? Neither have I. I just made it up. I think. It’s kind of thinking out of the box, but try looking in second hand shops or places like Goodwill or Salvation Army stores. You’d be surprised at what you might find: agate or jasper pieces that were once coasters, rocks that were once ornamental decorations. Just another lapidary adventure to see what you can find.
Since space is at a premium in an apartment, buy slabs and pieces or parcels of small rough. Don’t bother with a rock to worry about slabbing. Slabs and small pieces are comparatively more expensive than bigger rough, but not outrageously so.
You don’t need much space to enjoy this hobby. You can even take in on vacation in an RV or travel trailer.