Have you ever wondered how that beautiful smooth stone in the ring
on your finger was created? It is formed by skilled hands and a discerning
eye through the lapidary techniques of cutting, shaping, and
polishing. On Friday, May 8th at 11:00am PST, Jewelry & Metal
Arts instructor Alexis Pavlantos invites you into her studio for Basics to
Lapidary, a virtual workshop demonstrating how to use lapidary tools
and techniques to create a basic cabochon—a non-faceted gemstone—by
starting with just a rough specimen.

The event will be open to the public and
can be joined via Facebook live stream @AcademyArtJEM. Contact jencho@academyart.edu with
any questions.

About the Instructor:

Alexis Pavlantos grew up in the
mineral heartlands of Tijeras, New Mexico. The daughter of a gemologist and
goldsmith, she was immersed in jewelry and rock culture at a young age. With
this acquired, or even hereditary passion for creating, she continued her
studies at University of New Mexico, where she obtained her BFA in sculpture.
After graduation, she moved to the Bay Area in order to pursue a career in the
arts. With limited space to create and a background in metalsmithing acquired
by childhood knowledge of her mother’s practice, she decided to combine the two
worlds making wearable art. Alexis makes all of her jewelry by hand
in Oakland, CA.