Jaipur has a justified reputation for being a jewellery powerhouse. A prominent gemstone exporter, the Rajasthan capital is also famous for the exquisite art of Lapidary. This is the craft of shaping stones, minerals and gemstones into decorative pieces and faceted designs. Master artisans, or lapidarists, combine traditional craftsmanship with modern creations.

Gemstone carving in India has a rich heritage dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. According to archaeologists, trade in Lapidary goods between Africa and India can be traced to the first millennium CE.

Today, the artists shape and refine gemstones using a progressive abrasion technique. It includes three categories: tumbling, cabochon-cutting and faceting. While technology helps hone the final result, a gem-cutter cuts and shapes raw stones using diamond-embedded tools. They refine the stone using shaping wheels, creating facets and polishing them in a barrel with water and a grinding/polishing medium. The intricate details are checked with a magnifying glass, and the gems are polished with special wheels and compounds.

This industry has welcomed modern advancements like computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing. Other modern conveniences inclyde mechanical tools and using the Mohs scale of hardness. These innovations have allowed the artists to create novel and imaginative designs.

One of the most notable Lapidary pieces in history, the seal of Mauryan emperor Ashoka stands out. The masterpiece, crafted from a single piece of rock crystal, showcases a majestic lion atop a pedestal. Scholars estimate it to have been made in the 3rd Century BCE, when Lapidary was flourishing

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