OUR HISTORY
W H E R E I T S T A R T E D​
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Lapid Art has been a family business for over 30 years, and it all started in a rather humble place… my grandparents' shed!
My uncle founded the business with a love of lapidary, the art of cutting, shaping and polishing stones, and began by making his own crystal jewellery to sell at craft shows. What started as a passion project soon grew into something much bigger, and in early 1995, he opened the doors to Lapid Art here in Lincoln.
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I was just three years old when the shop first opened, but some of my fondest childhood memories are of visiting the shop. During the school holidays, my sister and I would go to the shop with my Oma to see my uncle, who always made sure we left with something exciting. I had a whole shelf in my bedroom dedicated to weird and wonderful crystals and fossils, but one particular piece sticks in my memory more than any other. It was a sparkly geode that my uncle told me was DRAGON POO! Being a typical uncle, he was just joking around, but I genuinely believed him for years!
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It's quite special to think that all these years later, we're still in the very same spot. In fact, one of my favourite things is seeing customers come through our doors with their own children, having first visited us themselves when they were little. They often reminisce about the crystals and fossils they used to collect, and now they're helping their children start collections of their own. I love that the shop has become a little piece of Lincoln nostalgia for so many people, and that we're still creating those same memories for the next generation.
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Gabbie - Current Owner
My Uncle, My Mum & Me
1 year before Lapid Art opened
Gareth - Our Founder
C O N T I N U I N G T H E F A M I L Y S T O R Y
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My uncle devoted so much of his life to Lapid Art. It wasn't simply a business to him; it was his passion and a huge part of who he was. When he sadly passed away unexpectedly in December 2019, I knew I couldn't let everything he'd worked so hard to build come to an end. So, in 2020, I took over the business and began the next chapter of Lapid Art's story.
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Since then, I've made lots of changes to bring the shop more in line with my own style, ideas and vision, while always keeping my uncle's spirit and the foundations he built alive. It's been a real journey, and I'm incredibly proud to be continuing something that means so much to my family.
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One of my favourite parts of running the shop is sourcing new and exciting pieces. I'm always on the lookout for things we've never stocked before, whether that's an unusual crystal, a fascinating fossil or something a little different that I know our customers will love. I love a challenge, too! If there's something particular you've been searching for that we don't currently have in stock, please let me know. I'll always do my best to track it down for you. You never know what we might find!
The same spot in the shop today
Lapid Art in 1995
Myself, My Oma & My Sister
in the shop in 1995
P R O U D T O C A L L L I N C O L N H O M E
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We absolutely love being based in Lincoln. It's such a beautiful, historic city, full of character, independent shops and lovely little businesses run by people who genuinely care about what they do. Being part of that community feels like a natural fit for us, and we're proud to be one of the independent businesses that make Lincoln such a special place to visit.
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You'll find us on the famous Steep Hill, surrounded by history and just a short walk from Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle. Whether you're visiting for the first time, spending the day exploring the city or popping in because you've been coming here for years, we'd love you to come and say hello!
Lapid Art today
Lapid Art in 1995
O U R E T H O S
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Our ethos has always been to provide genuine, ethically sourced pieces, and that's something I want to continue for many years to come (for more info on this check out our Ethical Trading Statement). I believe that the stories behind the things we sell are just as fascinating as the pieces themselves, we want you to take home something special, with the confidence that it is genuine and has been sourced with care.
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More than anything, I want Lapid Art to feel welcoming. You don't need to know anything about crystals or fossils before you visit, and you certainly don't need to be an expert! Sometimes it's just about finding a piece that catches your eye, sparks your curiosity or starts a brand-new collection.
Our Fossil Room
Our Crystal Room
L O O K I N G T O T H E F U T U R E
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My hope is that Lapid Art will still be here in another 30 years, continuing to do what we've always done while welcoming new generations of through our doors. I'd love to one day pass the family business down to my own children, just as my uncle passed it on to me in his own way, keeping the story going for years to come.
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I'm so grateful to everyone who has supported Lapid Art over the years, from customers who have been visiting since the very beginning to those who have only just discovered us. Whether you've been collecting with us for decades or are stepping inside for the very first time, thank you for being part of our story.
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We're a small, independent family business with a big love for crystals, fossils and all things natural and we'd love to welcome you to Lapid Art.
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Want to learn more about our Historic building? Click here.
