Richard (on left).

I am a stonemason and gemmologist.

I was born in Kenya, studied in the UK, and have been an Australian resident since 1969. I began an agricultural career, but after being called up for National Service, my interests changed, and I started a career in Lapidary and Gemmology in the 70s.

Richard with orbicular granite


Marramamba Tiger Eye

In 2004, after spending a number of years prospecting all over Australia for gold and gemstones with some of my own mining leases I was fortunate enough to find a very special Tiger Eye deposit in the Marramamba formation of the Pilbara region in Western Australia. This find was special because a few of the gem quality pieces mined were over two metres long with multiple bands of Tiger Eye and very colourful Jasper.

Before mining the deposit near Tom Price in Western Australia

The ground is cleared and mining begins

Floating Stones

The spheres, made mostly from carefully selected Australian rock and semi precious stones, float and rotate on a microfilm of water and larger pieces can weigh many tonnes

The rock sphere fits in a rotation cup within a base of stone that corresponds exactly to the sphere?s dimensions. A low pressure pump gently lifts the sphere allowing it to rotate on water.

The balanced sphere rotates continuously. Gentle hand pressure will interrupt the rotation and even allow a small child to control its direction.

Each sphere takes up to three months to finish and has to be perfectly symmetrical, polished and balanced to rotate in every direction.

The spheres are uniquely innovative and ideal for shopping malls, parks, entrances to institutional buildings, museums and private residences. The spheres are usually made to order out of suitable rock or semi precious stone to the size required, providing it is available.

Maintenance is minimal but a filter is necessary and must be cleaned. Also in public places water sterilization equipment is required.

Since then my interest in making Floating Spheres has expanded to cutting and polishing some of these Pieces of Tiger Eye and other suitable gemstone material.

With the help of my son(s) I have made some of these into unique pieces of art. Some are framed in carved natural Australian timber ready to hang, while others are left unframed.

I also work with most other West Australian gemstones. Examples can be found in the gallery.

A beautiful block of Tiger Eye is revealed

Working on the stones

I operate my business Floating Stones in the Swan Valley in Western Australia


This wire saw can handle very large pieces of stone and is good for slabbing and preforming spheres.
It is computer controlled.

A large piece of tiger Iron can take as long as a day to cut.

Cutting preforms for spheres with the wire saw

Cutting slices of stone with the wire saw
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