VLMS Courses:

Please Note - in order for to take classes you must be a Club Member so our liability insurance covers you

Beginner's Lapidary: Check Back - Course starting soon (March 2012)
Provides the basis of skill sets, safety and shop usage for lapidary work and is the pre-requisite for all other lapidary courses. Participants will be given knowledge of equipment types, usage, safety requirements, rock selection and preparation, and lapidary skills required to complete cabochons. This is primarily a hands on course and you must have reasonable hand strength and coordination. You will complete a basic oval shaped cabochon, a free form cabochon, and a more complex cabochon such as a heart. Children above the age of 8 are permitted as long as a parent is taking the course with them.

Course materials and tools are provided. Course Fee - $20.00 Course duration 8 hours in 2 hour sessions.

Advanced Lapidary:
Building on the skills learned in the Beginner's Lapidary course, participants will select a group project to work on such as intarsia, a lapidary object d' art, or other topic using more challenging methods and materials. Typically this course will involve use of a flat lap, standard arbours, and other lapidary tools. Participants should be proficient in the lapidary arts before attempting this course as the course is intended to challenge and build techniques.

There may be a fee for course materials depending on the project selected. Course Fee - $20.00 Course duration 8 hours in 2 hour sessions and workshop time.

Opal Lapidary:
The Opal course explores one of the most popular materials. Participants will learn how to grade and select opal, treat common issues, maximize yield and display of colours. You will produce a triplet (material provided), a singlet, and a doublet. You must be proficient in basic lapidary skills for this course and taken beginner's lapidary.

Course materials are provided for a triplet, for the other cuts you can either provide material or purchase from club members. Course Fee - $20.00 Course duration 8 hours in 2 hour sessions.

Beginner's Silversmithing: Check Back - Course starting soon (Jan 2012)
Provides the basis of skill sets, safety and shop usage for silversmithing work. Participants will be given knowledge of equipment types, usage, safety requirements, soldering, and basic silversmithing methods. This is primarily a hands on course and you must have reasonable hand strength and coordination. You will complete a basic silver ring and a bezel set pendant for a cabochon.

There will be a materials fee covering the cost of silver (approx. $45) - Course tools and manual are provided - Course Fee - $20.00 Course duration 8 hours in 2 hour sessions. Beginner's Lapidary is not required but recommended.

Course Schedule:

Beginner's Lapidary - Check Back - Course starting soon (March 2012)
Opal Lapidary - Check Back - Course starting soon (March 2012)
Advanced Lapidary - Schedule will be set when we get enough requests
Silversmithing - Course starting soon (March 2012)

If you are interested in these courses or workshops and want more details please email us! Email the VLMS