MAKING A CABOCHON

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DRAWING THE SHAPE
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CUTTING WITH THE STONE SAW
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SHAPING THE ROCK
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DRAWING THE CABOCHON HEIGHT LINE
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FORMING THE DOME TO THE LINE
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POLISHING DOWN EACH WHEEL

TECHNICAL SKILLS VIDEOS

INSTRUCTION

  • DRAW THE SHAPE (on a stone with a flat back, draw the shape you want to make (sharpie) - consider using stencils to make symmetrical shapes if that is important)
  • CUT OFF EXCESS STONE (use the stone saw to cut the excess stone off close to the line you drew - the more you cut off the faster it is to grid)
  • SHAPE THE STONE WITH THE FIRST GRINDING WHEEL (only use the first grinding wheel to shape the stone - all of the shaping is done at the 80 grit wheel)
  • DRAW THE CABOCHON HEIGHT LINE (you need to leave a short wall for the bezel wire to hold the stone in place. Use a sharpie and rotate the stone to get an even line all around)
  • FORM THE DOME ON THE FIRST GRINDING WHEEL (Staying on the 80 grit wheel, from the stone into a rounded shape up to the drawn line)
  • POLISH DOWN THE LINE (Once you have the shape you want, polish the rock by passing it over each wheel down the line)

ADVANCED IDEAS

  • CUT YOUR OWN SLAB
  • USE A DOP STICK
  • FACETTED STONES INSTEAD OF ROUNDED CABOCHONS