Bolos are a versatile, gender-neutral alternative to neck ties and traditional necklaces. There are a multitude of ways to customize a stone bolo including different shapes, sizes, colors and tip types.
Leora will demonstrate and guide you through the entire process of using trim saws, grinding wheels and cabbing machines to transform a slab or uncut stone into a finished cabochon that's ready to be featured on your bolo. Once your stone is cut and polished, you'll mount it onto a stainless steel slide with a leather cord. To complete the customization of your bolo, you'll have an assortment of metal tips to choose from.
You may find a stone while we are exploring the Yuba river on day one, or you are welcome to bring a sentimental stone of your own. We will also provide beautiful slabs and stones to choose from. Every stone is different, and it’s not guaranteed that your stone will work out, but we will guide you through the lapidary process.
We will provide protective aprons, but please wear clothing that you can get messy. We recommend bringing glasses if you wear them and trimming long fingernails.
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LEORA CORONEL
Leora Coronel has spent much of her adult life working as a jeweler, evolving from early experimental work into a refined practice rooted in metalwork and lapidary. What began as an intuitive exploration of materials developed into a deeper commitment to the craft of adornment, leading her to build the technical skills needed to bring her designs to life with precision and intention.
In 2010, she founded Gather Jewelry, growing it into a well-established brand with a strong local and online presence. In 2022, she closed Gather to transition into creating work under her own name, focusing on hand-forged metal and stone jewelry.
Based in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California, Leora draws ongoing inspiration from the surrounding landscape. She often incorporates locally sourced materials, including minerals from the Yuba River. Her work is influenced by a long-standing fascination with ancient armor and weaponry, as well as the raw, elemental beauty of the natural world.
