Biography

Michael O’Neill is a gemologist, lapidary artisan and jeweler. His journey into the colorful world of gemstones began as a child while hiking in the mountain ranges of the Pacific Northwest. He was smitten with stones from the moment he picked up his first quartz crystal in the Cascade Mountain range.  Michael pursued his interest in gemstones through the Canadian Gemmological Association, obtaining his FCGmA, as well as the Registered Gemologist Appraiser credential through the International School of Gemology. Michael also holds the AJP designation from the Gemological Institute of America. From Gemology, he turned to lapidary, which filled a desire to both create and appreciate high quality gemstones as an art medium. Naturally, the fine details of jewelry fabrication drew Michael to the craft of metalsmithing and stone setting. In order to share his passion for high quality gemstones, Michael created Lapidary Artisans, LLC, a boutique gem cutting studio that serves private clients, jewelers, and miners. He specializes in Oregon Sunstone, often traveling to the mines in Southeast Oregon to mine and procure rough. Michael enjoys the entire process of mining, fashioning stones, hand fabricating jewelry and setting the finished stones.