Steps on How to Cut and Shape Dolomite Pendants and Matched Earring Cabochons for Custom Jewelry Design Settings
I had some of this a while back and the cabochons turned out excellent. At the time I did not know what it was called. At that time, I had thought it might have been a type of Wave Jasper.
The other day a friend of mine gave me another piece of rough of this same mineral. Since I was still unsure, I requested an ID for it on our gemstone forum. It is nice to finally know that it is Dolomite.
Here is a picture of the piece of rough as it was given to me. Prior to slabbing.
I will bypass showing the slabs I cut from this and go directly to showing some preforms. Although I would like to mention that in order to get nicely matched pairs, it is necessary to use two slabs cut back to back from this same piece of rough. That is the only way to really be able to design quality matched pairs. It enables a lapidary to match the grains properly.
Then another picture as I have started to shape and on into the beginning sanding stages.
Finally, the finished matching earring cabochon pairs. Each with a neat matching pendant gemstone to go with.
These matched earring pairs are very slim, at two millimeters. The original preforms started out at about three millimeters. The pendant stones finished at four millimeters thick.
As always, if you would like to have a different design cut and shaped from this Dolomite mineral for a custom jewelry designed piece you have in mind, feel free to contact me for a special request.
Hope you enjoyed this entry!
August 29th, 2008 at 3:54 am
I have posable raw Star Garnets for sale
August 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Hi there Gordy,
Say, your more than welcome to post your garnets on the forum under the “Shop and Swap” board.