“Lapidary” can be used in several different ways, all relating back to the original Latin root, “lapidarius,” meaning “stonecutter.” As an adjective, its synonym is “lapidarian,” meaning “of, relating to, or inscribed on stone.” The inscription on a stone monument is lapidary, and the worker who chiseled it has a lapidary profession. As a noun, “lapidary” can refer to a person, either one who does the cutting, polishing, and engraving of precious stones, or just a connoisseur of the stones. It can also refer to the art itself of cutting gems. However, it applies strictly to precious stones other than diamonds. Someone who works with diamonds is known as a diamantaire.