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Norm Dettlaff/Sun-News Tom Stramiello, of Las Cruces marks a gemstone Tuesday at Munson Center on where to cut the amethyst and make the next facet. The 86-year-old retired engineer teaches a variety of jewelry making classes at the center, including beginning jewelry, as he said he has done for 30 years in various places. The next time to register for the 3-month-long beginning jewelry class will be on Feb. 14 at the center, he said. The class is open to anyone 50 years and older at a cost of $35, which includes a jewelry making kit. For more information on registering for the class, call the Munson Center at (575) 528-3000.

In image 1, Tom Stramiello, of Las Cruces marks a gemstone Tuesday at Munson Center on where to cut the amethyst and make the next facet. The 86-year-old retired engineer teaches a variety of jewelry making classes at the center, including beginning jewelry, as he said he has done for 30 years. The next time to register for the 3-month-long beginning jewelry class will be Feb. 14 at the center. The class is open to anyone 50 years and older at a cost of $35, which includes a jewelry making kit. Information: Munson Center, (575) 528-3000.

In image 2, Las Crucen Audrey Worthen, 59, polishes a piece of what she said was a dinosaur bone in the jewelry class. Even though she said she has been making jewelry for 35 years, "there's always something new to learn and lapidary, the art of cutting rocks and stone, is new to me."


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