Stones most commonly used for inlay are strongly colored opaque stones such as black onyx, lapis lazuli, turquoise, tigereye,etc. The finest intarsias and mosaics were traditionally of Italian origin, but intarsia has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years with the fine work of artists such as Jim Kaufmann and Nicolai Medvedev. They differ in that cameos are raised portraits, while intaglios are carved down into the surface of the material. Both typically take advantage of different colored layers of material. Sculpture G emstones can be carved, like other materials, into almost any form, limited only by the talents of the sculptor.
Carving is accomplished with a variety of diamond-impregnated steel bits,saws, and grindstones.
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