Lapidary studio with shop and classes

Jewelers and designers who outsource cutting, collectors, tourists and locals buying stones, and hobbyists paying for classes or bench time.

Commission cutting fees, sales of finished stones and rough material, and class or bench rental fees, which add steadier income alongside custom work.

• Advanced faceting and cabochon cutting
• Teaching and explaining technique
• Basic retail and bookkeeping
• Knowledge of gem materials and sourcing rough

• Local business license and zoning for a workshop or retail space, check with your city or county
• Sales tax registration with your state for stones and supplies you sell
• General liability insurance, plus coverage for customers' stones and for students using equipment
• Dust and slurry management, ventilation and waste water rules, check local requirements
• Rent is a fixed cost, so confirm you have steady commission or class demand before signing a lease
• Workers' compensation once you hire help

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the unit, cutting and polishing stations, and stock. Rent is a fixed cost, so confirm steady commission or class demand before signing a lease.

Check local business license and zoning for a workshop or retail space with your city or county, and sales tax registration with your state. Also check insurance, dust and slurry management, ventilation and waste water rules.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on commissions, finished stone sales and class numbers. Estimates suggest a minimum of around 30 hours a week to run the studio.