Artistry of a Peruvian Master Gem Carver
Interview with Luis Quispe, Neoart Peru
Luis Quispe, a talented young gemstone carver from Lima, Peru, showcases his eye-popping work in this video. He is the second generation in a 30-year-old fine gem-carving family business that emphasizes the creation of original contemporary styles. His love of design, and of the raw gem materials he shapes, shines through in his every word and gesture.
Among the many gorgeous examples Quispe demonstrates is a “Marine Life” chess set designed by his sister Silvia. One set of chessmen (actually swordfish, carp, seahorses, marlin, and sea turtles) is carved from Tanzanian ruby and Peruvian pink opal, and the other from Afghani lapis lazuli and Brazilian rock crystal. Luis’ own favorite pieces comprise a set of skulls, each with a distinct personality, that he created out of gem materials from around the world: Canadian jade, Angolan aquamarine, Russian obsidian, Brazilian amethyst, and many more.
When asked how long it takes him to come up with the design for a carving, he says that he has to wait until the stones speak to him. He may look at a piece of raw material every day for a year before the stone reveals the perfect design to him; other times it may take only a day. Luis Quispe clearly knows how to speak the language of gemstone carving.
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