How Is Jade Carved?

Cutting the Jade

• 1

  Place the gemstone in a shallow tray on a flat surface.

• 2

  Fill the tray with water until the jade is fully covered.

• 3

  Wear safety goggles before you begin.

• 4

  Cut around the outline, using the diamond cutter wheel.

• 5

  Attach a cylinder-shaped drill bit to a mini grinder. The bit will give the jade shape and some detail.

• 6

  Immerse the bit into the water. On slow speed, grind away the remainder of the jade outside the outline.

• 7

  Exchange the drill bit for a smaller or finer one to work on detailed areas of the design.

• 8

  Stop and check the depth and angle of the jade regularly as the desired shape begins to appear.

Smoothing and Polishing

• 9

  Rub some olive oil over the jade to show up surface flaws.

• 10

  Rub the jade with a selection of between 200- to 1200-grit grade of sandpaper. This will remove and smooth imperfections. Wet the sandpaper and keep it wet as the friction heats up the stone.

• 11

  Polish by buffing with leather or paper disks from the grinder's accessories kit. If this is not available, use a piece of wet 1200-grit sandpaper to give the jade an attractive shine.

• 12

  Wash the jade in clean, soapy water. Dry it with a soft, clean cloth and buff to a shine.