Naomi Sarna

I am a sculptor and master gem carver who transforms rare gemstones into fluid, organic forms that transcend traditional techniques. Raised near the legendary mines of Butte, Montana, I was drawn to the raw beauty of minerals from a young age. This early fascination evolved into a lifelong pursuit of capturing movement, light, and emotion in solid form.

Trained as a classical sculptor at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, I am influenced by the fluid grace of water, the landscapes of the American West, and the elegance of Art Nouveau. I push the boundaries of gemstone carving, shaping delicate curves and dynamic lines that evoke a sense of motion. My expertise in faceting and light refraction allows each piece to transform as the viewer shifts perspective, revealing hidden brilliance.

My submitted work, Jade Seahorse, reimagines a previous jade carving as a patinated concrete sculpture. Emerging from seaweed-like forms, the seahorse appears to drift gracefully through an oceanic current. The design, inspired by the natural flow of marine life, celebrates the harmony between nature’s whimsy and sculptural elegance.

One of my most recognized works, L’Heure Bleu, was officially recorded in 2024 as the world’s largest cut tanzan...

Education and Artistic Training

1965–1967 Classic Clay Sculpture Classes with Evangelos Frudakis, Atlantic City, NJ, USA

1967–1970 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA, USA (Non-degree program)

Studied classical life sculpture, clay modeling, marble carving, plaster mold making, and casting

Mentors: Sidney Rosen, Anthony Greene, Walker Hancock
Advanced Artistic Development (1970–Present)

In addition to formal training, I have continued refining my skills through master workshops and self-directed study, developing unique gemstone carving and metalwork techniques.

Gemstone Cutting Bernd Munsteiner, Revere Academy, San Francisco, CA, USA

Anticlastic Forming Heikki Seppa, 92nd Street Y, New York, NY, USA

Wax Carving Kate Wolfe, Maine, USA

Metal Fabrication (Private Study) Lew Wackler, Boulder, CO, USA

Faceting Stephen Kowlowski, Beacon, NY, USA

Granulation Jean Stark & Kent Raible, Revere Academy, San Francisco, CA, USA

Jewelry Fabrication & Rendering Anthony Lent, Stephen
Parker, Dominique Riviere (Senior Designer, Harry Winston),
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY, USA

Fold-Forming & Metalwork Charles Lawton-Brain, David Butler, 92nd Street Y, New York, NY, USA

Over decades of experimenta...

Solo Exhibitions

2023–2024 Rice Mineral Museum, Hillsboro, OR, USA
Featuring 20 gemstone carvings, with live carving demonstrations and lectures

2019 Stone in Motion, Wilensky Gallery, New York, NY, USA
Exhibition of sculptural works, including a live gem carving demonstration

2022 Mineral Talks Live (YouTube) with Brian Swoboda, Raquel Alonso-Perez (Harvard), and Eloïse Gaillou (Mines Paris Tech, France)

Group Exhibitions

2022–2023 The Big Find, Maine Mineral Museum, traveling exhibition, included stops at the American Gem Trade Association Tucson Show, The Alfie Norville Museum, and the Rice Museum

2022 60th Anniversary Exhibition, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Oak Brook, IL, USA (featuring four carved sculptures and live carving demonstrations)

2020 Gemstone Masterpieces, Wilensky Gallery, New York, NY, USA

2017, 2019 Zi Gang Bei Jade Carving Exhibition, Suzhou, China
Awarded Bronze and Silver Medals

2010–2019 American Gem Trade Association Spectrum Awards Exhibition, Tucson, AZ, USA
Showcased 23 winning carved gem and jewelry designs, including Best in Pearls (three times), Best in Color, and multiple first-place awards

2016 Oregon Sunstone Carving, Permanent Collection, Smithsonian Institution, Washington...