Turquoise cabochon cutting is the process where raw gemstones are changed into beautiful pieces of jewelry. It is an old procedure that requires accuracy, patience, and the right method. Working with these bright blue-green stones, many craftsmen find their calling. You can often find Turquoise cabochons for sale that perfectly reflect the skill of the artist for each polished dome.
Turquoise is rated 5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale. This is what makes it perfectly suitable for turquoise cabochon cutting projects. The stone's inherent matrix patterns become the source of the cresting of one-of-a-kind designs. Every single one tells its own geological tale by way of the unique veining.
Those just starting out with turquoise will see that it is a forgiving material. It behaves well when being ground and polished. Even with a simple set of tools, you can get professional results. Use lower-quality stones for your trial runs of the technique.
To get better results, you have to be quite specific with your tools. The best way is through a cabochon machine that comes with diamond grinding wheels. Silicon carbide belts make the process of shaping the stone faster and easier. The polishing agents are the ones that actually give the final shine.
Security measures are put in place in order to ensure one's safety while cutting. It is advisable to wear eye protection and a dust mask. A well-ventilated atmosphere is a must. Also, the water should be on the stone all the time in order to keep it cool and avoid heat damage to the turquoise.
What could be a better starting point than the very beginning? So make sure you pick out the best pieces of turquoise rough. Besides that, look for the ones that are not heavily cracked. Let your marker indicate the outline of your cabochon. By doing this, you have a reference for making the first cuts.
Make use of the grinding wheel to shape the stone into a basic dome design. Different grit levels should be used one after the other. Rough grits are what you should start with and, then, you can move onto finer ones. Such a process guarantees perfectly even surfaces.
Once again, use cerium oxide, or diamond paste to polish your cabochon. The stone has to be converted into a glass-like finish. Any leftover gouges should be found by good light and then, you will be able to finish them off. In case there are any problem areas, you should take care of them.
The best way to show the beauty of cabochons is through wire wrapping. With wire wrapping, you can turn turquoise into pendants, rings, and earrings. Besides, copper and silver are the perfect mates for the natural colors of the stone. The contrast gets better by using oxidized metals.
Bezel is among the safest choices for fixing your stones in place. Apart from that, they help the less tough turquoise to be free of harm. Particularly beautiful are the sterling silver bezels. You can also put some decorative pieces near the setting to improve its look.
Also, why not make use of combining several gemstones into one to come up with something new? The gradual cabochons can be used for making statement necklaces. Along with turquoise, use other gems that will complement each other. This will not only add to the beauty of your pieces but also create more design options.
One of the major issues with buying turquoise cabochons is that their quality is all over the place. To do so, the stones must be subjected to a thorough scrutiny for their safety and color uniformity. The natural turquoise is easily recognizable because of its characteristic matrix pattern. However, to have a longer life, it is advised to use stabilized stones.
Only opt-in merchants that are trustworthy and source their materials ethically. They are the ones that provide not only the certification but also the exact location of the sourced material. More importantly, make your decisions in the production of the little pieces, not by the amount of the materials but by their quality. Spend your money on luxury materials, and you will achieve a professional effect.
You can get a wide range of gemstones for sale both locally at the exhibitions and globally on the internet. It is wise to check the prices of different vendors before making your final decision. Furthermore, you can build long-term relationships that will benefit you with trustworthy suppliers. The good news is that most of them will offer you lower rates if you are a returning customer.
In addition to the traditional shapes (round or oval), free-form cabs also can be considered as one of the latter. These theme-related designs are made of natural features. Their employment as an idea for turquoise jewelry is almost limitless.
Doublets and triplets are a way to double your turquoise usage. In this method, thin slices of turquoise are utilized. To stabilize them, they are supported with other materials. Thus, a limited number of expensive stones become more accessible to the mass.
Calibrated cuts are those that fit perfectly in the jewelry standard settings. Understand standard measurements if you think about commercial work. Thus, you will be able to sell your pieces in far more places.
Turquoise cabochons for sale are the leading entertainers among artists and jewelry collectors. Firstly, show your creations in the best way possible - capture them with natural lighting. Present numerous sides of each piece and also, tell the scale by putting a ruler or an object next to it. Good quality photos are the driving force behind online sales.
On the other hand, the use of social media is one of the best ways to get your turquoise wire wrapping skills known. Put up the work you have done till now and also, the pieces that are finished. You can connect with other artists and potential customers by commenting and messaging. Maintain your brand by continuous posting which is also a great way to attract followers.
In case you are looking for different various pink gemstones, you might want to consider the rhodochrosite crystal that is available for purchase.
First of all, one should be aware that the route of turquoise cabochon cutting is only a single stone. Over time practice will polish your talents. What is more, each product will stand as a representation of the working hours devoted to the making of it.
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