Lapidary Notes on iPhone: Rough Assessment, Cutting Plans & Polishing Sequence Records

Lapidary work converts rough mineral material into finished cabochons, faceted gems, and carved stones. The decisions made at rough assessment — how to orient the stone to preserve color, where to place the table to avoid inclusions, what yield to expect — determine everything that follows. The grit sequence and polishing media that worked on one material may not work on another. Nemos gives lapidaries a place to capture these decisions and observations before they're overwritten by the next project.

Why Lapidaries Need Structured Notes

Lapidary skill is accumulated knowledge about how specific materials behave under specific conditions. A material that polishes beautifully on a leather lap with cerium oxide may require a tin lap with oxide for consistent results. A particular rough lot with unusual fracture patterns may require a modified approach. Without notes, each encounter with an unfamiliar material starts from scratch; with notes, it builds on prior experience.

What to Capture in Nemos

Rough Stone Assessment When evaluating rough material: - Material identification (species, variety, locality if known) - Weight and approximate dimensions - Color saturation and distribution - Transparency assessment - Fracture planes and cleavage planes (orientation noted) - Inclusions or voids visible - Surface weathering condition - Cutting plan: orientation, shape, expected yield estimate

Rough assessment is where the cutting plan is formed. Document it before the first wheel touches the stone.

Cutting Plan Decisions Record the specific orientation decisions: - Table direction relative to crystal axes (for faceted work) or dome direction (for cabs) - Why a specific orientation was chosen (color, inclusion avoidance, cleavage avoidance) - Expected shape and dimensions after preform - Any special orientation requirements (asterism direction, chatoyancy band orientation)

Cutting plan notes explain decisions that will be invisible in the finished stone.

Grinding and Polishing Sequence For each material worked: - Grit sequence: coarse to fine, specific sizes used - Time at each grit and wheel type (diamond, silicon carbide, etc.) - Lapping film vs. wheel preference for this material - Pre-polish and polish media: compound type, lap type, speed - Any anomalies at each stage (undercutting, chipping, surface scratches that required backtracking)

Grit sequence notes are the technical recipe for each material. A sequence that works reliably becomes a reference for future work with the same material.

Machine Setup Parameters For each machine session: - Machine type and lap speed (RPM or surface speed) - Water or oil coolant used - Lap condition (new, conditioned, worn) - Pressure approach (light, medium, heavy at each stage) - Any machine-specific notes (this wheel cuts faster on the inner track, etc.)

Machine notes calibrate your process to your specific equipment — not generic recommendations.

Finished Stone Records After completion: - Final dimensions and weight - Quality assessment: polish quality, symmetry, color representation - Any compromises made from original plan and why - Photo attached (for high-value or significant stones)

Finished stone records close the loop — comparing outcome to cutting plan reveals what the plan predicted accurately and what it didn't.

Material Reference Library

Over time, accumulate a note per material type — labradorite, chrysoprase, malachite, opal, rhodonite — with your working grit sequence, polishing approach, and any material-specific considerations. This library is more useful than generic references because it's calibrated to your equipment and working style.

FAQ

Can Nemos work offline in a dusty lapidary workshop? Yes. Full offline functionality. Nemos works well in a workshop environment — take notes between sessions rather than during wet grinding.

How do I capture photos of rough orientation before cutting? Attach a photo of the rough stone with a pen mark showing the planned table orientation to the assessment note. This visual record is invaluable if a job is paused and resumed.

Is Nemos useful for tracking inventory of rough material? Yes — create a note per rough stone or lot with a description, weight, and source. Tags for material type and intended shape keep the inventory navigable.

How do I organize notes across many active cutting projects? Title notes by material, shape, and date started. Tags by project status (rough, in-progress, complete) keep the active queue visible.

What about documentation for high-value stones destined for sale? For finished stones intended for sale, the assessment and cutting plan notes create provenance documentation that adds value for buyers.

Why is this better than just working from experience? Experience is invaluable. Notes make experience transferable — to yourself months later when you return to an unfamiliar material, and to apprentices or students learning alongside you.

Related Reading

• /blog/gemologist-notes-iphone — stone identification, treatment assessment, and grading documentation
• /blog/goldsmith-notes-iphone — jewelry fabrication and stone setting documentation
• /blog/ceramicist-notes-iphone — material behavior and firing documentation patterns
• /blog/materials-engineer-notes-iphone — material characterization and processing documentation

Sources

• Lapidary cutting techniques: The Complete Lapidary Handbook (Gemstone Press)
• Gemstone material properties: GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat.org crystallographic references

Download Nemos free on the App Store.