Cabochons!

I am a sucker for a good cab. Yes faceted stones are lively and pretty but man do cabs have character.

Inclusions, intricate patterns, multi colours in one stone and the variety of shapes they can be cut in...... need I say more?

For those not familiar cabochons are polished domed stones where as faceted gems have a flat top called the table (unless they are rose cut but I will leave that for another post!), multiple polished faces and usually a pointed bottom (pavillion). The angles on a faceted stone need to be precise. These angles vary for each type of gemstone to get optimal light reflecting and refracting to make it sparkle.

Cabochons on the other hand are cut to emphasize their features.

I joined a lapidary club in the early 2000's and loved it right from the start. Cutting a gemstone yourself is so satisfying. Taking a chunk of rock and shaping it into something that can be used in a piece of jewellery is a pretty amazing feeling.

For me personally I prefer cutting cabs. It is noisy, messy and makes me feel so relaxed and happy. I guess it is my version of meditation.

I did try my hand at faceting once a long, long, time ago.

I cut a standard round brilliant piece of clear quartz. It is very pretty but back then I was excited for the quicker results of cutting a cab and I love the mess of it too.

I do want to try my hand again at faceting one day but for now its cabs all the way!

I wont even start on how cool it is using the slab saw. I will save that for another post as well.

Below are some examples of cabochons. Of these I have only cut 1 but I chose these for their eye candy factor.