1. You can start classes at any time of the month and learn at your own pace.
2. The cabochon class is a prerequsite for all other classes, except the beading classes.
3. The silver fabrication class is a prerequisite for the casting and channel work classes.
4. In addition to membership, there is a fee of $4.00 per class for adults, and $1.00 for juniors.

Cabochon cutting and polishing - considered the most important course in lapidary crafts because this is where you learn the process of shaping and polishing a cabochon. The society has a large, well-equipped shop and our instructors will teach you everything you need to cut and polish beautiful cabochons. Material for you start with is available at the shop for no cost, and you can quickly find local supplies (stores, shows, fellow students) to get material from the modest to the magnificent.

What You Need to Bring to Class

• About 5 or 6 wooden dowels. The dowels should be about 4 inches long and be in assorted diameters from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch. Dixieline has a good supply of dowels.

• An apron, preferably waterproof. You can buy very nice waterproof aprons from jewelers supply companies like Rio Grande, however, an old raincoat or rain poncho works pretty well.

• Some rocks or slabs if you have them. If you are new to cab cutting, don't bring especially nice or expensive material as you want to make your mistakes on inexpensive material. There is usually a supply of practice material available in the shop.

• Your SDMG membership card.

• Money to pay for the class fees.

Rock carving - relies on the skills you learn in cabochon class. Although artisans create extraordinary designs with cabochons, carving is a field where you are limited only by your imagination.

Silver fabrication and casting - once they have finished polishing a beautiful stone, many students want to go on and set their stone as a unique piece of custom made jewelry.

Faceting - the basics of faceting are much easier than most people think, and with a little experience, students can create gorgeous cut stones. Like the other classes, faceting is not only a fascinating art, but a way that you can create beautiful work that very few people would ever see, let alone possess.

Beading and bead stringing - beading is another very old craft which in the past few years has really taken off in terms of creative possibilities. Large and small companies all over the world now produce an extraordinary variety of beads which artisans are using in more and more exciting designs and applications. If you think beads are just for grannies, you should check out a book called The New Beadwork (Harry Abrams, 1992, hardcover) which will give you an idea of just some of the things that are currently going on in this exciting art form.