Susan Allen is a pioneer and master of internal gemstone carving. She is self-taught and has been doing this difficult technique for nearly fifteen years. She has created a large body of exquisite pieces that bring to life intriguing scenes in her carefully chosen quartz. She lets the color of the natural mineral inclusions suggest her subjects. Frogs or rabbits will find their way into pieces with green mossy chlorite while iron rust tones often become the background for Southwest scenes or reptiles. Allen has won many awards and become world renowned for her painstaking efforts. Her unique creations are admired by thousands at museum appearances and showings worldwide. Allen's route toward carving was a surprising and wonderful turn in her life. “My love was painting in oil and mixed media. I became allergic to oil thinners in the mid-eighties. Gem carving filled the void. Most of my work is carved inside the clear gem. It's the exact opposite of most carving. I don't always have the freedom to reach where I need to inside the tunneled area I'm working in. The straight tools I use will not bend, but I try to create as much life-like detail as possible. Hard gemstone carving is extremely time consuming and expensive to produce. It is much more difficult than carving in glass or softer stones. The tips of the diamond detail tools wear off very quickly when used on hard quartz. Some major underwater scenes will take years to complete. Due to the physical stress of the work I only carve several hours a day. This is all part of keeping my balance while working. I want to be happy doing this work and to have that come through in the finished creation. It is the legacy I wish to give, for now, and to future generations.”