what is cabbing lapidary

Cabbing in lapidary refers to the process of shaping and polishing gemstones into cabochons. A cabochon, commonly referred to as a "cab," is a gemstone with a smoothly rounded, convex top and a flat or slightly domed base.

The cabbing process involves several steps:

1. Rough Selection: Lapidaries begin by selecting a suitable piece of rough gemstone material. This can be sourced from mines, gemstone suppliers, or collected by lapidary enthusiasts.

2. Shaping: The rough gemstone is shaped into the desired cabochon form. Lapidaries use various lapidary tools, such as a cabbing machine, grinding wheels, and shaping equipment, to gradually shape the gemstone. This involves removing excess material and forming the stone into a smooth and symmetrical shape.

3. Beveling: After the rough shaping is complete, lapidaries may add beveled edges to the cabochon. Beveling creates angled edges around the perimeter of the stone, enhancing its visual appeal and adding depth.

4. Sanding: The lapidary progresses to sanding the cabochon, starting with coarser grits and gradually moving to finer grits. Sanding materials, such as sandpaper or diamond abrasive pads, are used to refine the shape, remove scratches or imperfections, and achieve a smoother surface.

5. Polishing: The final step is polishing the cabochon to bring out its natural luster and create a glossy finish. Lapidaries use polishing wheels or pads charged with polishing compounds or abrasive materials. The cabochon is carefully held against the rotating wheel, allowing the compound to buff and polish the stone's surface to a high shine.

Throughout the cabbing process, lapidaries employ their expertise and artistic vision to shape the stone and highlight its best features. They assess the gemstone's shape, symmetry, and smoothness, making adjustments as necessary. The result is a beautifully polished cabochon that can be used in jewelry, decorative pieces, or as collectible gemstones.

Cabbing is a popular technique in lapidary work, allowing lapidaries to transform rough gemstones into attractive and versatile cabochons. It requires skill, precision, and an understanding of the gemstone's characteristics to create cabochons that showcase the stone's natural beauty.