CABBING MACHINES

Getting started

A cabochon, or cab, is a stone with a smooth, rounded top and usually a flat back. Cabbing means shaping and polishing one. You can keep the finished stone, give it as a gift or set it in jewellery.

Illustrations of a flat slice of banded stone, a loose polished oval with a domed face, and a stone in a simple wire pendant.
Illustrated examples: a slice of banded stone, a polished cabochon and a pendant. Setting the stone in jewellery is a separate craft.

Why try cabbing?

You choose which part of a stone to show: a band of colour, a branching pattern or a contrast between light and dark. Then you shape and sand it in repeated passes, checking the curve each time, before the final polish. If you enjoy rocks, jewellery or patient hands-on work, this may be a hobby to try. CabKing shows the process and finished jewellery.

Try a class before buying a machine

Start with a local rock or mineral club. The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies describes club workshops where members learn lapidary: cutting, shaping and polishing stone. Find a club through the US club map or the British Columbia club directory, or search for a lapidary club near you.

Ask for a supervised beginner class; open workshop sessions may expect experience. Before you book, check:

  • Does the class provide the machines, the stone and a teacher?
  • What does it cost, including membership and materials?
  • What should I wear, and what safety gear should I bring?

Find a slab or blank for your first cabochon.

Beginner guides