Rock
Cutting
Because rocks ain’t gonna cut themselves
Many of the lapidary arts begin with the need to cut the rock into usable sizes and we can teach you about the various types of rocks and the best methods of using them. Rock saws are highly variable in both size and lapidary purpose. The two styles of saws most commonly used in the lapidary hobbies are trim saws and slab saws. Trim saws are primarily used to cut small rocks in preparation for tumbling, or trimming flat slabs into jewelry shaped preforms. Slab saws are used to cut slices off of rocks either to use the slice for lapidary or to create a specimen from the now-exposed face of the rock.
Rock Tumbling Articles
RTH Members are a cut above the lapidary hobbies. Check out these ten amazing home built rock saws and start planning yours.
Every lapidary shop needs a decent rock saw or three. This part one article will give you a great overview of what you should look for in a good trim saw and why. 
It’s no fun hauling home big rocks with no way to cut them. This part two will teach you the basic components of a well built slab saw and help you understand why they are important.
This timeless, information-packed article was first stickied in the RTH Forum in 2012 and has helped countless new lapidary artists over the yearsRock Cutting Forum Topics
The following is an expanding list of tutorials and instructional rock cutting threads on the Rock Tumbling Hobby Forum.
If you find a helpful and educational thread in the Rock Cutting Board on the forum, and you think it should be featured here, please respond in the thread and bring it to our attention, thanks!
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