Cabochon to Artistic Creations!

If you are lucky enough to live close to a good mining area, you can rock hound yourself.  But if not, you can buy rocks from the miners themselves.  Which is mostly what I do. Buying them is a shortcut to getting good materials. But, Rockhounding is fun, challenging and a little but of a game. Most stones in the field look like this dirty rock. Finding the right ones with internal deposits of beautiful colors and patterns is what we all strive for.

First a 16" slab saw is used to cut each rock into 1/4" slices.  A smaller trim saw is then used to cut the desired design to be used in your piece. 

The shapes are then run through a series of grinding and sanding wheels ranging from 80 grit to 280 grit. They are then on to the polishing wheels.  These wheels range from 360 on up to as much as 3.000 grit.  The cabs are then polished with cerium oxide and a zam polishing compound.  They are now ready  to be made into pine needle pieces, sterling silver jewelry, or wire wrapped pendants. 

Cabs are surrounded by a fine silver bezel that is soldered to get a nice fit.  The bezel is then soldered to a silver back plate.  The desired final shape is sawn out and any embellishments such as silver balls, twisted wire or charms are soldered on.  The bail for hanging is added and the final clean up process begins.  After cleaning and getting rid of any scratches, the stone is set into the bezel. 

Put into writing, it sounds easy--it is not!  Sometimes the solder Gods are helping and sometimes NOT!

What to make with the beautiful cabochon?  A pendant necklace, a ring, or a bracelet?

You will want to decide before much more work is done.  You will need to add a bail on the back for a pendant, make a ring shank for a ring, or a cuff for a bracelet.  

If you see any cabochons listed on this website or on my facebook page, Char Ciammaichella, or Chars Weavings please contact me.  They can be fabricated into any of the types of pieces listed.  

Any of the cabochons can also be glued to leather to begin your artistic pine needle creations.