Gray Wilcox ’26 has always been captivated by the hidden beauty of gemstones. Her fascination began in first grade when she discovered a fact book about gems and crystals. She was mesmerized by the idea that raw stones could be transformed into precise, geometric jewels. “I immediately asked my mom for a lapidary kit,” Gray laughs. “Understandably, she said no. I wouldn’t have given myself power tools at that age either.”

Undeterred, Gray immersed herself in the world of stones. She collected crystals, followed gem cutters online, and saved images of stones she dreamed of shaping one day. But it wasn’t until Pomfret’s independent study program that she could finally turn fascination into hands-on practice.

This fall, Gray pursued lapidary as her independent study. She purchased a beginner faceting machine and connected with Allen Petersen, a GIA Graduate Gemologist and IGS Certified Professional Gemologist at Middle Earth Lapidary in North Granby, Connecticut. In a field that is both niche and aging, finding a mentor was rare — and lucky. Petersen not only taught her foundational techniques but also gifted her tools and stones from his personal collection, including materials almost impossible to find today.

Gray spent hours in the loft of Chick Cole Studio, learning both basic and advanced cuts. Some days she meticulously mapped out a design before approaching her faceting machine; other days she experimented, understanding the personality of each stone. Her study extended beyond the studio, as she explored natural and lab-grown crystals and even stones engineered for industrial purposes, such as synthetic sapphire used in fighter jets.

As her confidence grew, Gray tackled a raspberry rhodolite garnet from Tanzania — a gift from Petersen. She is carefully shaping it to fit a sterling silver bezel ring. Upcoming projects include a signet ring for a friend and a piece of jewelry for her mother, which she’ll pursue during a winter-term continuation of her studies.

"I love taking something that looks like a pebble or a piece of glass and cutting it into something that could be set into a piece of jewelry," says Gray. "I love watching the stone change slowly. It takes a lot of patience and practice. You can't rush it."

For Gray, lapidary is more than just a hobby. With each patient cut, she preserves not only the beauty of the stone but also the tradition of a craft few still practice.
 

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