Tacy Jones - Jewelry

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Rocks are fascinating!  I have been a rockhound for 40 years. Twelve years ago my husband and I acquired some old Lapidary equipment, rocksaws, sanders, etc., and began to work with the rock we had collected and stored in our barn for decades.  Rocks are cut into slices with a 14 inch diamond rock saw.  The rock community call these slabs.  After identifying particularly nice patterns and/or color in the slab, the slab is cut, using a 6 inch trim saw.  I have a tabletop cabbing machine that has six 8 inch wheels of increasingly finer diamond grit.  On this machine I create a stone pendant of sorts, called a cabachon. 
In the past three years I have begun to learn silverwork.  I now set stone cabachons of my own creation in silver, making necklaces, earrings, and rings. 
It is important for folks who see my jewelry to understand that each piece has been created from rough rock and silver sheet and wire.  In fact, the stone in many of my jewelry creations was sourced by me.  Yes, I still enjoy hunting for beautiful stones.  I also spend time going to rock shows in Oregon and Arizona, where I purchase rough precious and semi precious stone found around the world.
I am a retired teacher and will always enjoy education.  When I display my artwork you will be able to see the rough rock from which I created the piece.
Enjoy!