Toowoomba Lapidary Club fears ancient craft is a 'dying art' after 60 years.
Toowoomba Lapidary Club has marked 60 years of gem cutting and polishing, but members warn the ancient craft faces extinction as younger generations lose interest.
For six decades, the Toowoomba Lapidary Club has been enamoured all things gemstones, and as members gathered to celebrate the milestone they’re hopeful to see a new generation of people carry on their passion.
The club has brought like-minded people together since 1965 to pick, cut, polish and display beautiful gems either on their own or as an exquisite piece of jewellery.
Teacher and trainer at the Toowoomba Lapidary Club, David Radke, said he started as a child but has seen less young people engage with gems.
“It’s an ancient art that’s dying,” Mr Radke said.
“A lot of the lapidary clubs at the moment, they’re mainly older members and they’re getting older as the years go by.”
Mr Radke said the cost of living has played a role in fluctuating memberships for both younger and older people.
“This is just something else you’ve got to find money for,” he said.
“Sometimes it keeps you sane being able to do something, like a lot of things we need something as a hobby to relax and take our mind off things.”
Club administrator Beverley Radke said they have engaged with young children at shows like Gemboree but are limited.
“We do have fossicking for younger children at gem shows and when we’re at other community facing activities,” Ms Radke said.
Ms Radke said their insurance policies dictate what age they can introduce children to the craft.
“Partly for accident and public liability, because we have machinery that they are needing to use to cut,” she said.
“They need to be of a certain size and physical and mental growth to be able to understand what they’re doing and operate the machinery safely.”
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Originally published as Toowoomba Lapidary Club fears ancient craft is a 'dying art' after 60 years.
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