The Laborious Craft of Making Olympic Curling Stones

TLDRLearn about the intricate process behind making Olympic curling stones that involves rare granite, skilled craftsmen, and meticulous quality control. Each stone is made from granite harvested from a tiny island off the coast of Scotland and costs over $600. The demand for curling stones has increased due to the popularity of the sport, leading to more frequent granite harvesting. The scarcity of African Blackwood adds to the difficulty and cost of making oboes, another complex woodwind instrument. Each oboe takes five years to make and requires precision craftsmanship and the finest materials.

Key insights

💎Olympic curling stones are made from rare granite sourced from only one island in Scotland and cost over $600 each.

🛠️The process of making Olympic curling stones involves skilled stonemasons who turn giant boulders into uniform stones using rare granite.

🌍Curling stones are made from granite harvested from Elsa Craig Island, which is the only place in the world with permission to extract granite for curling stones.

⚒️Crafting Olympic curling stones requires precision cutting, coring, shaping, and polishing, ensuring each stone meets the International Olympic Committee's standards.

🏒The demand for curling stones has increased, leading to more frequent granite harvesting and higher costs due to the popularity of curling worldwide.

Q&A

How much do Olympic curling stones cost?

—Each Olympic curling stone costs over $600, and a full set of 16 stones is worth $9,600.

Where is the granite for curling stones sourced from?

—The granite used for Olympic curling stones is sourced from Elsa Craig Island, a tiny island off the coast of Scotland.

How long does it take to make an oboe?

—It takes five years to make an oboe, from shaping the wood to refining the shape.

Why is African Blackwood used for oboes?

—African Blackwood is used for oboes because of its strength and resistance to cracking, despite being a scarce and expensive material.

What factors contribute to the cost of making oboes?

—The cost of making oboes is influenced by factors such as the scarcity and cost of African Blackwood, precise craftsmanship, and extensive key work.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Learn about the intricate process behind making Olympic curling stones that involves rare granite, skilled craftsmen, and meticulous quality control.

03:55Each Olympic curling stone costs over $600 and is made from granite sourced from Elsa Craig Island in Scotland.

08:34The demand for curling stones has increased, leading to more frequent granite harvesting and higher costs due to the popularity of curling worldwide.

09:43Making oboes is a complex process that requires five years of shaping the wood, refining the shape, and meticulous craftsmanship.

10:06African Blackwood, a rare and expensive material, is used for oboes due to its strength and resistance to cracking.

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