Equipment
Slab saw Large saw used to cut slices of rough rock into slabs
Trim saw Small saw used to trim basic shapes from slabs
Lapidary machine Machine that spins and water-lubricates grinding wheels, flat laps, and/or polishing wheels/laps that are used to shape and polish stones
Grinding wheel Abrasive wheel oriented vertically in a lapidary machine; stone is ground against the wheel's circumference; wheels come in a progression of grits
Flat lap Abrasive disk oriented horizontally or vertically in a lapidary machine; stone is ground against the flat side of the disk; disks come in a progression of grits
Polishing wheel/lap Felt or leather wheel or flat lap that is charged with lapidary polish; used to shine stone
Combination machine/unit Any combination of lapidary devices in one unit (e.g., a trim saw with grinding and polishing wheels)
Terminology
Rough Rock, stone, or gem that is raw, uncut, and unpolished
Slab Large slice of rough rock
Cabochon (cab) Stone that is cut and polished into a smooth dome; base can be any shape
Preform Basic outline of a cabochon; cut from a slab
Lap Both an abrasive lapidary disk and the verb for shaping a stone
Dop stick Dowel or rod that holds stone during lapping and polishing
Dopping wax Hard wax that holds stone on a dop stick
Dop pot Electric container that warms dopping wax
Lapidary polish A type of fine abrasive used with a felt or leather polishing wheel or lap to bring out the final shine on a stone; examples include cerium oxide and tin oxide