How to Make Cabochons

How to Make a Cabochon

	I first start out with a rock that I have hand pick for color and quality. Then I place the rock in a 12" slab saw that is filled with oil just covering the saw by 1/4". I can pick the thickness and cut as many slabs as possible out of each piece. Then I draw a pattern using a template that I have designed myself or a simple square, circle or oval.
	The next step is to do a rough trim down to the lines drawn on the slabs using a 6" trim saw. Then I use a 100 diamond wheel to grind down to the shape I want.
	These pieces have been ground down on the flat edge to the shape I want. So, now I will be dopping the pieces. Which means, that I will take these dopping sticks and melting them down to stick them to the cabs. Now they are ready for shaping. So, back to the 100 diamond wheel. Then I will be hitting the wheel at an angle until I get the curve on the edge.
	After the shaping and polishing I will drill a hole in the stone, so I can make a necklace out of the cab. Sometimes I do not drill a hole if I am going to wire wrap the stone. Or, there are bails that can be glued to the back of the cabochon.

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