A LAPIDARY is a person who is skilled in the art of cutting and polishing precious stones, such as gems. A LAPIDARY is also known as a gem cutter or a lapidarist. The term 'LAPIDARY' comes from the Latin word for stone, lapis. Gem cutters use specialized tools to shape and polish the stones to create beautiful pieces of jewelry. They may also be involved in the design process, creating unique cuts and shapes for the stones.