In the summer of 1974, a New York jeweler asked then 13-year-old Douglas Turet if he could engrave and polish a series of root-like lines in a piece of Montana Agate to frame a gold and Diamond sculpture he'd created. The challenges and complexities of that experience evolved into a series of flowing, curvilinear lapidary experiments Doug described as "landscaping with light, color and inclusions, rather than dirt, rocks and plants."

In 1988, the abstract, flowing lines and undulating surfaces of Lightscapes Gem Carvings gained their first large-scale audiences and rave reviews at the February AGTA gem show in Tucson, AZ. The following year, when AJM Magazine introduced the art of modern gem carving to American jewelers in its November issue cover story "A Color Storm", Douglas Turet was one of only three carvers featured and interviewed (along with Michael Dyber and Bart Curren).

In some pieces, the goal is to get light to reflect off of - or refract through - some characteristic of the material chosen. In others, it is to inspire a soothing or otherwise sensual experience, in ways that cannot be conveyed through traditional faceting or cabochon cutting techniques. And in others, a mixture of lapidary disciplines or thought processes occurs. Although the moods and textures vary, each and every piece remains unique, and each is signed and dated.

The Lightscapes tradition continues today, as you and your customers will soon discover. We're sure you'll enjoy them as much as we have!

Please note: from time to time, some of the links above will become active, and others inactive. This is because not all materials are always available in the qualities desired, and it just doesn't make sense to us to invest the same levels of thought, inspiration, time and effort into materials unlikely to carry those energies forward.