This column outlines a step-by-step project to create a decorative feature on the back of your cabochons using small burrs that mount in a flex shaft. It involves using diamond ball burrs of various grits and homemade wood burrs.
The first step is to select a translucent area on your cab or slab that shows considerable transmission of light and color in the place where you will make the decorative feature. Mark a point with a felt tip pen and start the hole with a small coarse grit 1/8-inch diamond bur. I do the carving in a shallow plastic bowl cut from the bottom of a large plastic bottle with ½-inch of water inside. Dip the piece in the water and grind with the burrs for a few seconds and dip again.
Using a ½-inch diameter coarse burr, continue the grinding by holding the side of the bit in the previously made hole. Continue dipping and grinding for a few seconds. Every few minutes, turn the burr vertically and correct the shape of the hole because when you grind with the side of the burr, it pulls slightly sideways. Ball burrs do not grind very well if you hold them vertically.
As you are grinding the hole, stop and look at the back of the piece under a strong light to see how it appears. If you like how it looks, begin the sanding steps to remove the grinding marks.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
This News is for the Birds
The amazing range of the would-be birds!
CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE
California magnesite plasma agate is a kaleidoscope of minerals. Much like its neighbor from Clear Creek, it contains chalcedony, serpentine, jadeite and chromite.
HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL
Even though Mother Nature creates almost unbounded types and numbers of beautiful materials for cabbing, often I struggle to find a slab that will work for the project that I want to do.
PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149
I am frequently asked what my favorite gemstone designs are and where to find them. After my trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I updated my list of favorites to include gemstone designer, Phan Thanh Trung.
Copper Minerals: My Favorite
I have lived in the “Copper State” of Arizona for 65 years so it should not surprise readers that copper minerals are among my favorites to collect.
OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE
The widely acclaimed, 2023 Hollywood biographical movie Oppenheimer recently won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Cillian Murphy).
Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones
Why do you believe what you believe? Are your beliefs true because you choose to believe them? Whether it is religion, science or the metaphysical, your belief and faith make it real to you in mind, body and soul.
Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age
Rhode Island may be 22nd out of 30 states in miles of total coastline but when you compare coastline length to land acres, it ranks second only to Maryland.
Black Range Amethyst
Amethyst in Southwest New Mexico
EQUINE Bling!
How an Oklahoma Saddle Maker Uses Moissanite, Gold, Silver Turquoise tc to Adorn Saddles Jewelry