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Russian Imperial Lapidary

This website aims to become the most comprehensive, informative and intriguing source of Russian hardstone objects

Identify your stone

Use this specimen checkerboard to help you identify your Russian hardstone, jasper, marble or mineral.

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Do you have an object or stone that you wish to know more about? Perhaps I can help.

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A wealth of information

The Russian Imperial Lapidary website sets out to introduce the fascinating work of the stone grinding and carving factories to a world audience.


Three centres of production; Peterhov - St. Petersburg, Ekaterineburg - Urals District and Kolyvan - Altai District together produced a style of hardstone, marble carving and pietre dure known as Russian Mosaic.


From 1742, Imperial patronage ensured the amazingly rich coloured hardstones such as malachite, agates, jasper and rhodonite were crafted into decorative items. These were very often on a scale and quality seen nowhere else in the world.


If you have an object that you think may be of interest, then please do contact me using the Ask a Question feature.