Five Easy Steps To Cut A Round Cabochon

Gemstone cabochons can be flat on one or both sides and they are typically cut with a dome-like shape. The art of cutting cabs goes back hundreds of years, but modern methods have made it even easier to cut and polish your own cabochons at home in just 5 steps!

Step one: gather your materials

Gather your materials - Cabochon gemstone, Epoxy Resin, and nail polish remover.

Find the size that fits your gemstones this can be done by cutting out pieces of paper in the desired sizes for each circle and setting them around the circumference of your stone. Choose the one that fits best or has the least amount of overlap from other circles. Cut this piece out and place it on top of the gemstone you have chosen.

 

Step two: measure and mark you’re stone

-Measure your stone with a ruler and mark the measurements onto your stone. -Mark the center of your stone. -Get out your saw and use it to cut along the lines you drew on your stone. -If you need to, use sandpaper or another material that is safe for cutting stones, to smooth out any rough edges. -Once you've finished the process of cutting your stone into shape, clean up any dust with a damp cloth. -You can now polish your newly-cut stone by rubbing it in circular motions against a wet cotton rag until all traces of grease are gone from the surface and it shines!

-Put some water inside of a bowl and add a drop or two of dish soap to create an ultrasonic cleaning solution. Add your stone to the solution for about 30 seconds before lifting it out. Gently rub the stone while rinsing under running water, taking care not to scratch or chip your gemstone. Dry off excess water with a soft towel and place it on a newspaper to prevent stains.

 

Step three: cut your cabochon

The next step is to cut your cabochon. There are a few ways you can do this. If you have access to the equipment, it's best if you use a lapidary machine with an abrasive wheel. If not, there are other options for cutting cabochons that involve using a drill press or saw blade (which can be found at your local hardware store). Each has its own pros and cons, but you'll need to decide which one is best for your situation. When deciding on what type of cutting process to go with, consider how much time and effort you want to put into the process.

A basic rule of thumb when deciding how large your cabochon should be: For stones, less than 8mm in size, keep them around 2-4mm thick; for larger stones, plan on a thickness of about 5mm.

Once you've decided on a thickness that works for your stone size, you'll need to mark off where your depth will be.

 

Step four: polish your cabochon

Polishing your cabochon is the final step in finishing your cabochon. Polishing refers to smoothing out the rough surface of your loose gemstones, making them shiny and reflective again. You can polish your cabochon with a polishing cloth, steel wool, or sandpaper. When using a polishing cloth, put on some eye protection and use circular motions over your cabochon until you see its reflection. Be sure not to press too hard as you might break the stone. If you are using steel wool or sandpaper, start by rubbing gently in one direction then switch directions every few seconds. When you see metal-like reflections appear on your cabochon's surface, stop! It should now be polished.

 

Step five: set your cabochon

This is the final step of your cabochon project and you'll be glad you took the time for this. Place your cabochon on your mandrel, or whatever you're using as a base. Push down hard so it rests against the sides of your mandrel and tightens the screws evenly around the edge of your mandrel. Keep pushing and tightening until there's no give in the material when you push on it with your finger. Tighten one more turn after that just to be sure.

 

Conclusion

The process of making a cabochon is not as difficult as it may seem, but it does require some patience and attention to detail. If you are looking for an interesting way to use up a leftover glass or want to give someone a beautiful handmade gift, this is the perfect project for you! Your next step will be to break off any sharp edges on your cabochon by gently pressing down on one side with your fingers until it has rounded out. If you are looking to buy cabochons online then check out our collection on our site.