 |
 |
|
|
||
|
||
|
| Recent Archives |
Established in 1947, Lapidary Journal has been the authority on what's current in the gem and jewelry world for over half a century. The vast library of issues that have been created over the years is like a diary -- a record to what was going on in the industry at any given moment. Just as it's fun to read old entries in your personal journal, we at Lapidary Journal thought it would be a good time to begin reminiscing on topics past, to see what has changed over time and what has remained the same. Starting with the June 1954 issue, each month we will take a look back to an issue 50 years old. If readers are interested in receiving photocopies of these or any past articles, please send us an e-mail with the subject line of "reprints." The January/February 1955 issue was 6-1/2" x 9-3/4", unlike today's dimensions of 8-1/4" x 10-3/4". It was not until 1960 that the size changed for the first time. It was a bi-monthly magazine and the newsstand price was $0.50 per copy. A Gemstone Map of the United States
Forty-four members selected the state or states they wanted to create, and individually acquired their own stone, cut it, shaped it, and polished it. To ensure that all the pieces would fit together properly, the club purchased a plastic jigsaw toy map to use as a template. When all of the completed pieces were turned in, the final fit was made. The completed map was cast in a plastic backing and a mahogany frame made by another club member and then placed in a carrying case also made by a club member. It was exhibited at the club's 10th annual show, in October, 1954.
The Liberty Bell intarsia was actually not the first TSL group project published in LJ. An intarsia of the group's Indian logo was published in February, 1977.
More highlights from our archives coming next month from the January/February 1955 Lapidary Journal. |
Index of Past Issues | Buy Back Issues Online
|
________________________________________________________________ Feature Stories & Artist Profiles | Step-by-Step Projects & Workshops | Technique Articles | Business Articles | New Products | News, Conferences, & Deadlines | Take our Reader Survey
Articles & Workshops | Bead Fest | Jewelry Classes | Show Calendar | Search for Products & Suppliers | Classified Ad Deals | Advertising Rates & Information | Media Reviews | Store - Books & Back Issues | Contact Us | Links | Site Map
About Us | Subscribe to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist | Subscription Customer Service/Account Lookup Contact
us. |
In 1954, the San Fernando Valley Mineral & Gem Society, Inc., participated
in a joint effort project, creating a gemstone map of the United States. A different
member was responsible for each state (48 states at that time, as Hawaii and
Alaska didn't become states until 1959).
This
kind of collaborative lapidary spirit thrives today. In the July 2003 issue,
Lapidary Journal ran an article called "Liberty
Bell Intarsia" by Frank Warner. Members of the Tuscarora Lapidary Society
(TSL) of Media, PA, created a 10" x 14" representation of the Liberty
Bell, using 10 materials. It was done much in the same jigsaw puzzle way that
the map of the 48 states was, but with a modern twist to it. A member visited
the bell, took photos, made sketches, and then painted a watercolor image of
the bell. That painting was scanned, and then broken down into the different
color patterns to be assigned to be cut, shaped, and polished; therefore making
thier own electronic jigsaw puzzle template.
