What it is

Introduction to Lapidary: Cutting and Carving Stones is a dated, hands-on beginner lapidary class at BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network), a community maker center on Bainbridge Island, Washington, with studios that include Jewelry & Fine Metals. The official registration page says students will “cut and polish cabochons (gemstones) in this introduction to the art of stone cutting” and “use various cutting and polishing equipment to cut and carve stones.” Students may bring their own stones to ask about or try cutting. It is a class, not a retail shop and not a membership gem club.

Who it’s for

Beginners age 14 and up in the Kitsap Peninsula and Seattle area (BARN is a short trip from the Bainbridge Island ferry) who want a multi-day studio introduction to cabochon cutting. It also suits anyone who wants to go on to use BARN’s lapidary equipment on their own.

Why it’s listed

It’s a lapidary-primary class with a first-party registration page that shows dates, times, member and guest prices, a materials fee, the instructor and the studio address. BARN’s Jewelry & Fine Metals calendar also runs regular Focused Open Studio: Lapidary sessions and follow-on lapidary series classes, so it’s an ongoing lapidary program, not a one-off.

Official URL

https://create.bainbridgebarn.org/event/introduction-to-lapidary-cutting-and-carving-stones-183011/register

Jewelry & Fine Metals studio: https://bainbridgebarn.org/studios/jewelry/
Visit / address: https://bainbridgebarn.org/visit/
BARN home: https://bainbridgebarn.org/

(All checked 2026-10-28 and returned HTTP 200 to curl with a Chrome user agent.)

Location

BARN, 8890 Three Tree Lane NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Phone 206-842-4475, email [email protected]. BARN’s Visit page gives directions from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal, about 1.6 miles north on SR 305, then Madison Avenue North and NE New Brooklyn Road to Three Tree Lane.

This is a workshop (community maker-center class). It is not a club listing and not a store.

Notes

Session on the check date: starts Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m., ends Thursday, November 12, 2026, 3:00 p.m. The page also lists a later Introduction to Lapidary session on December 12, 2026.
Price: $393 member registration / $481 guest registration. A $40 materials fee is included and covers all you’ll need. Bring a towel. Safety glasses, magnifiers and ear protection are available in the studio, or you can bring your own. Tuition assistance is linked from the page.
Level and next steps: “Beginner and beyond.” This class is the prerequisite for intermediate lapidary classes. Once you finish it, you can attend Focused Open Studio: Lapidary to use the equipment independently. Related events on the check date included Lapidary Series: Intarsia (November 7, 2026) and Lapidary Clinic: Inlay (November 8, 2026).
Instructor: Karin Luvaas, a Bainbridge Island artist and jeweler, GIA Graduate Gemologist and Jewelers of America Bench Jeweler Technician.
Class policies: ages 14+. Wear closed-toe shoes and natural-fiber clothing, tie back long hair, and don’t wear dangling jewelry. There’s a 15–30 minute lunch break, and there are no nearby restaurants (a refrigerator and microwave are on the lower level).
Washington already has workshop listings for Schack Art Center (Everett), NW Rockhounds (Seattle) and The Evergreen State College (Olympia). This is a different Bainbridge Island maker-center class.
Not affiliated with Lapidary Plaza. Nothing was bought, and no email or form was used.

FAQ

Q: When is the next Introduction to Lapidary class at BARN?
A: On the check date, the listed session ran November 10–12, 2026, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with another session listed for December 12, 2026. Check the registration page for current dates.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: $393 for BARN members or $481 for guests. A $40 materials fee is included.

Q: Do I need experience?
A: No. The level is “Beginner and beyond,” and this class is the prerequisite for BARN’s intermediate lapidary classes.

Q: Will I cut a real stone?
A: Yes. You cut and polish cabochons on BARN’s cutting and polishing equipment, and you can bring your own stones to try.

Q: Can I use the lapidary equipment on my own afterward?
A: Yes. After this class you can attend BARN’s Focused Open Studio: Lapidary sessions to use the equipment independently.