"In the ordinary pattern of a lapidary's bench the handle turns in a horizontal plane, where W is the driving-wheel turned by the handle A, and working the pulley P by means of a strap. The pulley is fixed on a vertical spindle, which carries M the disk for slitting or the leaden lap for roughing or polishing. The upper end of this spindle is conical, and rotates in a socket drilled in a horizontal arm of iron which projects from a vertical wooden rod D. A block of wood C fits on to the end of an iron support termed the gim-peg or germ-peg. This support is used to steady the operator's arm when grinding the edges of small stones, and the wooden block, which is fixed by a wedge, is employed for cutting facets at any desired angle, the stone being cemented to the end of a stik S, which is fixed at the requisite angle in one of the holes or notches made in the sides of the socket C." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Lapidary's Mill

"In the ordinary pattern of a lapidary's bench the handle turns in a horizontal plane, where W is the…

An illustration of an elderly man sitting of a horse and another man helping steady him.

Elderly Man Sitting on Horse with Man Steadying Him

An illustration of an elderly man sitting of a horse and another man helping steady him.