Dear fellow metalsmiths,
This newsletter will focus a bit on cabochons.
Cabochons have been around for a long time before faceted stones.
In fact, the cabochon shape was the default method of preparing gemstones before gemstone cutting was developed.
These are a few examples of antique jewelry set with cabochons.
Img. Credit - Antique Cabochon Designs - Van Cleef & Arpels Chalcedony Brooch at Phillips Auction House and Sapphire Cabochon Rings from 1stdibs
The usual shape for cutting cabochons is an oval.
Although of course, round, square and triangle shapes are also used in jewelry.
Here I give a quick illustration on How to Cut a Round Cabochon.
VIDEO - Remove Scratches on Cabochon
And then, should cabochon set jewelry come in for refurbishment or you put a scratch on your stone, I have this video that explains how you can restore the stone to it's former glory, using just some basic tools and techniques.
These are new tutorials, some of which are designed around using cabochons.
In keeping with the rounded shape I have made this modern cabochon wire band ring.
Moonstone Cabochon Wire Band Ring Tutorial - US$25
This tutorial shows how to make the pearl collet and prepare the ring for setting.
Asymmetrical Pearl Ring Tutorial - US$25
Classic twist wire pendant that shows how to file a bezel so that it is very easy to set.
Cabochon Twist Wire Pendant Tutorial - US$25
With this tutorial, I show you how to make the crown collet stud first, and then how to make and set the halo surround.
Ear Stud Halo Disk Tutorial - US$27
For this newsletter I made a free tutorial, that explains how I Bezel Set a Cabochon in some detail.
I hope you have a creative time making jewelry in your studio and that this inspires you to use cabochons in your jewelry designs.
My best regards,
Hans
Previous Metalsmith Newsletter Editions
