Award-winning gemstone cutter and carver Glenn Lehrer died on Nov. 27, following a battle with cancer. He was 71 years old. Lehrer was born March 3, 1953, in California. He developed a passion for art and adventure early in life. His nearly 50-year career in gemstone carving and jewelry design began in the 1970s, when he traveled to India and established a spiritual connection to crystals and gemstones. Lehrer was a largely self-taught lapidary and goldsmith. In college, he studied crystallography, gemology, and mineralogy, and in 1979, he received his graduate gemology degree in residence from the Gemological Institute of America.

He was passionate about innovation and blending science and art. Lehrer invented new gemstone cuts, including the patented TorusRing, a modern, faceted gemstone with a hole in the middle designed for setting another gemstone in. He also enjoyed co-creating with other artists, including Mark Schneider, Paula Crevoshay, Gordon Aatlo, Kent Raible, Connie May, Marianne Hunter, and others.

Paula Crevoshay posted to Lehrer’s Facebook page saying, “We cherish our precious memories of all the wonderful times we spent with Glenn and Sharon dreaming up new projects and collaborating on bringing them to fruition. Glenn was noble of spirit, kind and generous, and an artistic genius. Our whole world is enriched by his legacy.”

Lehrer won numerous awards for his designs, including several American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Spectrum and Cutting Edge lapidary awards. His work has also been featured on the covers of industry trade magazine the Lapidary Journal several times, and his gemstone carvings and jewelry designs are in museums and private collections worldwide.

Lehrer’s work was inspired by the natural world around him. Growing up riding a longboard in Los Angeles later turned to surfing on the coast of Northern California, particularly Rodeo Beach and Fort Cronkhite near the Golden Gate Bridge, where Lehrer was inspired by the fluidity and motion of waves in the ocean. The exhilaration and peace he found in its rhythm influenced the sense of movement and natural beauty seen in his creations.

In addition to surfing, Lehrer had a deep love of horseback riding, finding a sense of peace and connection to the natural world through exploring coastal trails. He was member of the National Park Service’s horse patrol for the Marin Headlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Lehrer had a deep and abiding love for his wife of 45 years, Sharon, and considered their partnership a cornerstone of his life. Family was central to his life; he cherished his childhood, often speaking of how his older brother Wayne constantly inspired and encouraged him to pursue his passions. Lehrer is survived by his wife, Sharon; his two brothers, Harvey and Wayne; and a handful of nephews and nieces, as well as many friends, colleagues, and admirers.