The Art of Gem Carving

Since antiquity, gemstones have been engraved using the same methods. Follow the process from start to finish in this short video from the Getty Museum.
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[@pipshepherd845]

2009 vs 500 - the greek only had a sharp pointy thing. props to him for major skill.

[@dynamicworlds1]

1manuscriptman a bit belated, but I'd love to see a souce for the types of tools they used if you have any links

[@penelopepie5978]

Pip Shepherd

[@SlowSlowSloth]

2009 vs -500*

[@lovelylychee2255]

Actually I was about to ask, I’m a bit confused how someone could hand carve something so small on something likely very tough...???? What kind of hand tools? Do you know of any videos that explain? Or even any articles?? I’m very curious

[@julietfischer5056]

Gloria - Some of the hand tools probably resembled the ones in the video, but were worked by hand. The Greeks had their methods of securing small projects for polishing, carving, engraving, and so on. Artisans could spend days or weeks working, leaving beautiful results.

[@1337fraggzb00N]

The older gem has even more details. What an amazing piece of art 😮

[@coal9205]

"Heating the gem further intensifies the colour" *fucking places it under a camp fire*

[@frankiejlindseyjr3468]

Lol right but that won't work under qurts or obsidian

[@iamnoone348]

Just imagine how the original was made without the modern tools we have.

[@saqi3586]

They didn't have modern tools But they had much more time and patience

[@prizmarvalschi1319]

The narrator sounds like she's forcing herself to have this voice

[@hase2944]

Prizmar Valschi it ends in a painful tone

[@prizmarvalschi1319]

Gun to her back

[@ilovespidernoir]

this. this should be the top comment.

[@prizmarvalschi1319]

@@ilovespidernoir I'm so sorry for eating your species with my McDonald's meal

[@frankjustice2344]

"LeviOsa"

[@RobertOcarina]

This work needs an incredible skill. I wonder how ancient people could carve stones in that fine details without the tools we are using now???

[@IceDragon978]

With patience and elbow grease.

[@christieemerson5564]

I know! Amazing isn't it!

[@christieemerson5564]

Sadly we will never know. It must have been tiring!

[@MrSister127]

Aliens probably

[@morganolfursson2560]

What tells you they didn't have those tools . All you know about ancient history is what people want you to know. How about the Piri Reis map or the Zeno map ? There , enjoy this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJitZnRjiKl_b5Y

[@zer0deaths862]

The stone work capabilities of ancient civilizations never cease to amaze me. 👍

[@PixieTrailSprite]

Both are amazing--old tech and new tech.

[@amrutamahajan9627]

I just want to thank everyone who makes this channel possible. You're giving out amazing content. Thank you SO much.

[@curlyhairdudeify]

The original has finer details like the hair, muscles, and face.

[@gekiryudojo]

+Bacchanalia The original is far more detailed the modern work looks ham fisted in comparison

[@curlyhairdudeify]

+gekiryudojo and you see how it is being made; electricity, power tools, diamond drills, and back then you had no one of that.

[@gekiryudojo]

+Bacchanalia but they had Magic! (Just kidding!)

[@Epig420]

I mean they spend a lifetime perfecting their craft from a very early age we dont really have the environment that fosters a gem carving prodigy where they carve gems 24/7 since age 7

[@curlyhairdudeify]

General Statement: I possess four intaglios from my private collection (Ancient Carving Quality); 1. Ganymede, 2. Medusa, 3. Ares, and a 4. Centurion. They all are aquamarine cabochons with natural inclusions as it is to be expected in natural gems. They are exquisite if anyone is interested; Instagram, email, Paypal, all between the United States, sign upon receiving....

[@JavenarchX]

wow... this really opened my eyes to the techniques involved

[@nunyabiznes33]

And despite all the power tools, the original seem far more detailed! Amazing artifact.

[@toborexperiment]

no, it's just the light. Chavdar is capable of that and much more. Look for Olithica

[@astrofroot6843]

Bro i can't even draw a circle.

[@morganolfursson2560]

you should brag about it .

[@kimbleangus7321]

Circles and ellipsis' are fairly hard to draw in the first place. Now if you couldn't draw a square on the other hand...

[@joe3869]

UniquelyBodie this joke is old

[@Mrsa66789]

if you do landmark they teach you actually

[@deweys]

Keep trying! You can do it

[@AmberRedmond123892]

glad to see everyone else is here, 11 years later.

[@kirstenrichards8558]

When you think of the time and effort that went into creating the ancient carved jewel,it makes it all the more impressive.Amazing.

[@davidrennie1362]

My hats off to both carvers.

[@dlwatib]

The modern gemstone still doesn't have the intensity of color of the original. I'm guessing there was an additional secret for enhancing the color, now lost.

[@iamnoone348]

Maybe it's the particular material itself.

[@modeldaughters]

I haven't done much with carnelian but a lot with clear to slightly creamy agate and it definitely darkens after working or cutting. A surface phenomenon that I believe to be an actual super thin patina (oxidization or interaction with other gasses in the normal air). It's not minor and the examples I've noticed with were only a few years from time of working so perhaps the old ones get even more color. And this can't just be rubbed off, even with solvent. Sunlight will fade some colors as well. Worst I've ever seen this with was black skin and tan skin agate (from India and from Montana in the cases I witnessed). This does not _seem_ to be single penetrating as much as on cut faces but then perhaps the tan skins were black skins? The ones I've worked were pretty similar on the inside.

[@TheThreatenedSwan]

dlwatib Or maybe the best artifacts survive because they are more valuable

[@silva3186]

Would you know anything about carnelian arrowheads? I have a arrowhead confirmed to be carnelian but it was found in the Rocky Mountains.

[@aleksandersuur9475]

The big secret is to to find a better rock to begin with.

[@greeksalad4783]

Lots of love and craftsmanship goes into one tiny gem. Now that's what you call dedication.

[@krisj9139]

How can the old one be more detailed than the new one. Wouldn’t it be better tools today?? The old one is much better in all ways how is that possible?

[@starandfox601]

simple.the person who made it took more time,probably looked at real life subjects and could see what they were doing. the more a artist is able to look at a subject the better a piece will be and when they look at a real sunject it will be even better.cause 80% of art is looking at things.

[@krisj9139]

star and fox that dosent explain the details on the original.. it is so detailed that a CNC can hardly do the same thing without magnifying glass

[@KingOfHearts901]

The Greek original was carved by a master. He probably spent his entire life carving gemstones from a very young age. Technology is not a substitute for skill.

[@julietfischer5056]

Kristian Johansson - Practice. Unlike the modern re-creator, the ancient artisan (as KingOfHearts pointed out) spent decades carving gemstones. He had tools that he could probably identify blindfolded and knew all the ways to use them to get the effects he wanted.

[@katerinapatiniotis5598]

Kris J Laziness.

[@laurasshow16]

Thanks! As a student of archeology I can say this was enlightening

[@rex198]

The ultimate draw it again challenge

[@idkp.9507]

So beautiful! Beautiful beautiful beautiful!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@paullantuch2205]

Hi Tchavdar, nice to see your wonderful hands!

[@exploreyourweb]

Wow, that is beautiful.

[@flamecranium7787]

i want a goddamn carved gem

[@robertg786]

FlameCranium Go to the country's where there are archeological ruins, did one up, and then smuggle it out of the country....or just go to a museum and steal one. Of course you could just by a dremel and make one. LOL

[@arcadianmuzique6593]

i agree with flamecranium

[@safeinmyheart1]

I want a goddamn carved gem, too.

[@anatoly86]

Ebay sells them. Or if you are feeling inspired you can try your hand at making one.

[@silenceoverbullshit8560]

Watch your mouth boy

[@WendyBrandesJewelry]

Thank you for sharing! So many people don't know what is involved with gem carving.

[@susanhepburn6040]

Fascinating! Thank you very much.

[@ZombieWolfe]

her voice is so soothing.

[@CyleThomas]

I would love to know where he got his burr set, and more about the tools. I've been looking around but cannot find one that carves beads like that. So many questions.

[@daryush55]

Cyle Thomas likewise. My finest tips are nowhere near as small as the ones the carver in the video was using. Would love to get some real micro tips.

[@nickb2208]

He most likely had that commissioned by a custom Smith.

[@_GOD_HAND_]

They are for sale from jewelry suppliers, like Rio Grande or Contenti. They sell micro-burrs down to 0.1 mm diameter.

[@candred]

The muscles look more realistic on the original.

[@MinuteMirror]

Both are realistic, the copier just made a leaner body and the original looks like a body out of JJBA

[@matthewpopp1054]

Was this narrated by Jacqueline Kennedy?

[@kyarimaresuki]

I miss these types of videos on this channel.

[@sandroac34]

That beautiful voice of the announcer! I fell in love!

[@rebbekahcannons9805]

I had rock polishing kit when I was younger.weeks of it going through various tumblers and alot of mess, it had nothing on the skill and results of this but it reminded me of that kit :D

[@FunSkipping]

Weird how the copy has LESS detail than the one from ancient times. Imagine how skilled that dude must have been to make that back then.

[@lass-inangeles7564]

A real treat! Thank you!!

[@andyschwartz8808]

2500 years and Epimenes still got it

[@streetDAOC]

Omg the original is amazing . It even shows muscle striations

[@2degucitas]

i though i was the only one using rusty nail water

[@2degucitas]

+dojufitz is it a carved jem?

[@kanduyog1182]

never knew you could engrave gemstones

[@iamnoone348]

A lot of ancient Asian jewelry from China, Japan and Korea have carved/engraved gemstones such as jade.

[@joeferguson2187]

how did they see that fine detail back then when working that small? they must have eaten their carrots and broccoli.

[@hensonlaura]

Aside from the beauty of the carvings, the tiny Greek lettering is truly amazing.

[@katerinapatiniotis5598]

Random Female It's Russian derived from the Cyrillic alphabet taught by two Greek monks Cyrillos and Methodios using the Greek alphabet to create the alphabet the Russians and other Slavs use with many variations.

[@FilmerOfBobcats]

This is fascinating!!! I have long wanted to learn how to do it! Can you recommend any further videos or books?

[@Q2SA]

Turn the video speed up to 1.25 and she sounds normal.

[@rs-tarxvfz]

Lmao, She is trying to be overdramatic for a shitty stone.

[@destinyruiz7666]

If you go one more she sounds like she is running out of breath while talking fast

[@azramaliha]

In love with these

[@Zapa-pd6sw]

THAT ANCIENT SPIRIT WAS AWESOME ARTIST..!! I wonder how he bullied us "oiii grandchild, you using powertools and cost you alot of money?? i just use knives, stones and a hammer huaahahahahah"

[@nephrite_house]

its new information for me about gemcarving👍👍

[@thebakeddonut2038]

ALL THAT WOOD JUST FOR ONE LITTLE PIECE OF FREAKIN ROCK!?

[@kronek88]

He heated his home

[@isaiahdaniels5643]

How else do you make a hot fire? Generally speaking wood is the cheapest and most readily available combustible

[@alexlawson4173]

I thought human corpses was the most readily available combustible.

[@sinlokemp]

Your comment makes no sense 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@bernardpopp541]

A Supreme waste of Everything!!!

[@Gottaculat]

Plot twist: You can now see that gem you just watched being crafted in the Getty Museum's display case. The perfect heist is the one where no one thinks anything is missing. XD I jest. Seriously though, don't be a criminal. Impressive work, btw. :)

[@isher__]

Man, they had dremel tools thousands of years ago? Amazing!

[@huskyfluffy]

Lovely!

[@TheSafetyhit]

Far more interested as to how the ancients did it.

[@neoarcadezr]

Wow thats so much work and it's neat too

[@SilverWatcher.]

The ancient one looked way more appealing to the eye.

[@toborexperiment]

just the photo light... the new one is better

[@choulilfairly]

i want leaning intaglio gem that's so wonderful process

[@denisha190]

@TerminalFrost, I totally agree! Its amazing that with all our modern technology we still can't reproduce the amazing work that the ancient world managed to create with much more primitive tools, the Parthenon is another good example. That's not to say this artist isn't amazing though because he most definitely is :)

[@kittykat248100]

the original was thicker

[@annamariasoprano9102]

Beautifully done and explained. Thank you!

[@raminiran4187]

Please tell me the name of this artist

[@dojufitz]

Chavdar Chushev

[@SSDD422]

I think that the real beauty lies in seeing that the ancient Greek gem is carved in greater detail than the modern reproduction.

[@OneBlueFroggy]

Must have been ancient technology that we know nothing about, but think we're so much smarter than the old civilizations.

[@jeanetteyork2582]

I always wondered how the Myceneans and Cretans did their fine seals and other carvings in stone. Thank you for this video!

[@arealassassin]

Yea... Myceneans had Dremels lol!

[@SuburbAllied]

For a different experience with this clip, slow it down to 0.25 speed. The you also achieving the right feeling for the true phase this kind of work really have.

[@nelsonx5326]

Nailed it.

[@fredmac1000]

Thank you for your video,,🙏🙏🌷🌷

[@aungmin2314]

i like gems plus art.

[@darrengosling2465]

Unbelievable work

[@reand5972]

Many thanks

[@DoughnutBoardingBros]

Bobby Duke probably got inspired from this video

[@bondfool]

Anyone else feel like they’re being read a bedtime story?

[@theressamurphy2996]

The speakers' voice sounds like Jackie Kennedy Onassis voice

[@2degucitas]

I want this scarab

[@alvinxie559]

perfect art !! Hello Sir. How to make solution of iron compounds? how much time you put into solution compounds? is make colour darker? what for you burn? thank you

[@TheFineLine920]

Impressive & Besutiful!

[@stel1000]

Why you show us the modern tools and not the ancient tools and how they used it ?

[@BacchusGlass]

Does anyone know what type of burrs he is using? They don’t seem to be diamond and I can’t seem to find “copper burrs”

[@brennogrossi6594]

Did you have found any answers for this question? Cuz i ve the same problem 4 years later

[@BacchusGlass]

Answer was never found! Someone told me that they do their own burs! But how….. I just don’t know.

[@TheRocinka]

Incredible video. Thanks a lot!

[@hollysue6618]

That was awesome!

[@existentialopal721]

3:53 correct me if I’m wrong but that ‘stone’ looks more like tortoiseshell than that of a gem.

[@suvendudraws.]

Beautiful

[@brodiegoclowski6833]

this meant a lot to me!!!!!!!!

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Very nice, I got inspired.

[@ponykitous]

What kind of tool are they and what are they called

[@weatlyjustweatly133]

The shit i watch at 3am

[@giorgosgalanos9888]

Search here in KZbin for "Pylos Combat Agate". A beautiful scene with unreal detail.

[@issyvert]

I came to the comments to read relatable ones about how the ladies voice is wierd af

[@Yomika14xyukina44]

Mia Roof same

[@TonyMarinou82]

Magari I came here to say the exact same thing

[@Kaasbaas045]

She sounds like one of those annoying toothpaste lady commercials

[@robertg786]

Mia Roof She's a Brit. Google it.

[@remusomega]

She's still weird for a Brit. Google it..

[@ingridye9509]

thx for sharing

[@nelsonferreira-aulasdearte]

Wonderful!

[@MrBrownnn696]

That's so cool I wanna learn

[@coreymerrill3257]

I have mixed feelings. The carver is undoubtedly tallented . they did a wonderfull job. The origonal however, has tons of details that are not seen in the new carving. The sandle strap, the knee and textures on it and some fine details in the body shape and in the hair...so while its well done( i couldn't do even half that well).it looks unfinished when side by side with the greek stone.

[@ahmedeldidi861]

Wow you are brofisionl artist 👍👍👏

[@bbbam709]

This voice could send me sleep😴

[@nightmareinaction629]

Tried to make a little desing with a center punch and a hammer with a big rock first thing I got was a price coming towards me hitting my face and hurt like shitb

[@TEKKKNO]

Its flintstone ? Im always wondering how ancient civilisations making this type of art

[@duelenigma7732]

brilliant video , thank you . retired jeweller Vancouver Canada

[@Yshtola.]

-what gem u got bro? -the young man adjusting sandal -bruh..

[@Elena-and-Levi-rico]

I went from watching Play-Doh to this

[@tinafinly4793]

TY!!!

[@blipblip88]

"..modern tools are slightly different." uh... yeah! Anyone know of any videos demonstrating early methods of stone carving?

[@johngallagher9151]

I would love to carve that for myself out of some chalcedony I have. But because mine will be smaller due to having to take out cracks, I'll probably just carve the scarab and something easier than that guy on the flat part.