Glenn Lehrer, the celebrated gem carver who turned colored stones into innovative works of art, died of cancer on Nov. 27, according to a post from his Larkspur, Calif.–based company, Lehrer Designs. He was 71.
Lehrer’s gem obsession began in 1976. A California native, he had recently returned from three years in India when his brother handed him a piece of quartz.
“As I held the crystal, I felt a surge of energy run from my hand, up through my arm and explode in my head,” Lehrer wrote in his autobiography, In Quest of the Indescribable: The Artistry and Life of a Gem Carver. “Never before had I felt anything so powerful, let alone from an inanimate object.”
He undertook a lifelong (and largely self-taught) study of the art and science of gem carving, diving into the basics of crystallography, gemology, and mineralogy.
“It was not until my 15th year,” Lehrer said in his book, “when I really began to come into my art, where skill merged with my imagination to dream up many of the complex styles I’ve created.”
In the 1990s, he and gem artist Lawrence Stoller spent seven years creating Bahia, a 426 lb. rutilated quartz crystal. Hailed by JCK as a “gemological masterpiece,” it has hung in the lobby of GIA’s Carlsbad, Calif., headquarters since 2003. It is sometimes (jokingly) referred to as “the world’s largest pendant.”
Lehrer’s work was honored with numerous American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Spectrum and Cutting Edge awards. His designs made the cover of the Lapidary Journal a record 18 times.
“The reason I love to cut and carve colored gemstones is that they are all so different and unique,” he told Gemporia. “Each gem is a challenge, and each offers a unique inspiration and concept of style and design.
“If it’s been done before, I am not interested in doing it,” he added. “My work and art is about creating gem designs the industry has never seen before.”
Lehrer’s “life was a testament to creativity, resilience, and boundless generosity,” his company said. “His body of work, artistic vision, and spirit leave an enduring legacy that spans generations.”
He is survived by Sharon, his wife of 45 years, and two brothers, Harvey and Wayne. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to contact GIA (at scholarship@gia.edu) about creating a scholarship in Lehrer’s name.
(Photo courtesy of Lehrer Designs)
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