What it is

Beginning Lapidary: Cabochon Cutting is a one-session, hands-on cabochon class taught at NW Rockhounds in Seattle. The class description says it teaches “how to turn a rough stone/slab into a beautiful shaped and polished cabochon ready to be set in jewelry or for your display case.” Students learn the stone-cutting tools and equipment and cut provided Brazilian agate into a calibrated oval. NW Rockhounds’ Classes page says its Education Center offers “Beginning and Advanced Cabochon Cutting, Gemstone Faceting, Sand Casting” and silversmithing, and that “Qualified students can also access Open Studio time.”

Who it’s for

Adults (18+) with no experience who want to cut their first cabochon, and Seattle-area people who want access to the shop’s open lapidary studio. This class is one of the requirements for that studio.

Why it’s listed

It’s run by the business itself, a Seattle rock shop opened in 2015 by Lanny and Juliet Kittleson. The Classes page links to the shop’s own Eventbrite organizer page, and the event page shows the date, time, instructor, price and class size. It’s the first Seattle-area lapidary workshop on Lapidary Plaza.

Official URL

https://www.nwrockhounds.com/classes-and-events

Nov 15, 2026 class (ticket page, linked from the Classes page): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beginning-lapidary-cabochon-cutting-tickets-2003173154830

NW Rockhounds organizer page (all dates): https://www.eventbrite.com/o/nw-rockhounds-8548669715

Home: https://www.nwrockhounds.com/

Contact and hours: https://www.nwrockhounds.com/contact

(First-party site and the shop’s own Eventbrite listings checked 2026-10-14. Every cited URL returned HTTP 200 to curl with a Chrome user agent.)

Location

According to the ticket page, the class meets at NW Rockhounds, 2720 NE 115th Suite A, Seattle, WA 98125, in an upstairs classroom. The shop has just moved to 9804 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (grand reopening Oct 17, 2026). Check the class address in the pre-class email. Phone 206-364-1440. Education center email: [email protected].

This is a workshop. NW Rockhounds also runs a retail rock shop.

Notes

Date checked: Sunday, Nov 15, 2026, 11:00 AM–2:30 PM PT (3 hours 30 minutes), instructor Carly VDH. The listing shows “InStock.” The same organizer page lists other dates, and search results showed Oct 18, 22, 24 and 29 and Nov 12, 2026.
Price: “$100 supplies included.” Eventbrite’s checkout total is $119.62.
Class size: “limited to 4 students.” Ages 18 and up.
What to expect: the class is loud (earplugs provided), and masks are required for one cutting stage (provided).
Refunds: “Cancellations made 7 days or more in advance of the event date will receive a refund.” Tickets can’t be transferred to another class or to store credit.
Address caveat: the home page announces the move to 9804 Lake City Way NE, but the ticket page still lists 2720 NE 115th Suite A for the class.
The shop also offers cutting services (from $1.50 an inch), polishing (from $75 an hour) and appraisals.
Photo: the NW Rockhounds og:image (NW_Rockhounds_Vector.png, served at 2500 × 1294), resized to 1500 × 776 and flattened onto white.
Not affiliated with Lapidary Plaza. No booking, ticket purchase or contact was made.

FAQ

Q: What will I make in the NW Rockhounds beginning lapidary class?
A: A calibrated oval cabochon cut and polished from provided Brazilian agate.

Q: When is the next class?
A: One listed date is Sunday, Nov 15, 2026, 11 AM–2:30 PM PT. Check the NW Rockhounds Eventbrite page for other dates.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: $100 with supplies included ($119.62 with Eventbrite fees, checked 2026-10-14).

Q: Do I need experience?
A: No. It’s a beginner class for ages 18+, with at most 4 students.

Q: Why take this class?
A: You need it to use NW Rockhounds’ open lapidary studio.