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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 24, 2023 11:19:29 GMT -5
So...for awhile now I've been on the hunt to improve my cabochon designs. I've spent quite a bit of time perusing the forum as well as the internet for examples of "Designer Cabochons". I can't believe how many oval cabs are listed as being Designer Cabs! I'm not knocking anyone...by any means...but to me, there should be some parameters a cabochon checks off on a list which would then categorize it as being a Designer Cab. I know using the term is a selling tactic by a lot of people...but I'm curious to hear what peoples opinions are on what would put a cab into an "elevated" category of Designer.
To me, there are some important factors to consider when defining the cab as Designer. I don't know that every box has to be checked...and sometimes one factor might immediately define it as Designer...
Shape: I have a hard time categorizing an oval cab as being designer. I feel the shape should be something other than a "traditional" shape. That being said, I think that other factors can nullify the need for an "unusual" shape. I think certain rare or expensive material can have a common cab shape and still be considered as a Designer.
Material: I'm not sure I would define a Prairie Agate cabochon as a Designer Cab based solely on the commonality of the material...unless there's something SO unique about the piece which would elevate the status. I do believe the more rare the material, the easier it is to consider the cabochon to be a Designer Cab.
Construction: If a cab isn't finished to the highest degree the material will possibly allow, I don't consider the cab to be a Designer.
Who made the cab: I've seen some sellers on the internet classify everything they make as being "Designer"...which as I perused their listings, I didn't consider some of them to be designer.
So...what are some of the things you feel should be considered in order to classify a cabochon as a "Designer Cabochon"??
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Post by bobby1 on Feb 24, 2023 11:56:19 GMT -5
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 24, 2023 12:07:14 GMT -5
Does a "free form cab" become a "designer cab" when people start copying it and Gemologist John adds it to his templates?
Does it simply mean there are no pre-made belt buckle/bolo bezels available for it, and you must design the setting?
Does it work for every shape as long as the "designer" wasn't just cutting up a slab for maximum yield like the Chinese?
Must it be asymmetrical?
Is it just word salad?
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 24, 2023 12:07:37 GMT -5
Mic drop
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 24, 2023 12:08:39 GMT -5
Everything you listed is also what I would list. I consider any cab that will fit in standard trade jewelry sized settings with standard shapes to NOT be designer. The caveat is as you said, the material. Cutting a gem opal, fire agate, star sapphire or fire obsidian to name a few to fit a standard sized jewelry setting is different as it takes more skill. The real designers in my book are the ones who can look at a slab or piece of rough and see the perfect area for the perfect capture of the best feature of that stone. And being the snob that I am, the backs MUST be finished to the same level as the front.  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 24, 2023 12:12:38 GMT -5
Is a designer cab like art? You know it when you see it?
I agree with all of the above and I esp like what Robin said about getting the perfect scene in a cab.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,060 
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 24, 2023 12:16:19 GMT -5
I have a different "take" on the term. I agree it's overused and often without any real basis. I may be guilty of that myself. But truly in my mind it's a cabochon that will appeal to the creative instincts of a jewelry artist/designer and inspire them to use it in an unique jewelry piece, i.e., a "designer" stone.
It can be unusual or rare material, a shape that can be adapted to a new design concept, a color that can be used in conjunction with other stones to achieve a particular effect, or simply a beautiful standard material and shape of such quality it inspires a designer's talent to showcase it to maximum effect.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 24, 2023 12:22:23 GMT -5
Everything you listed is also what I would list. I consider any cab that will fit in standard trade jewelry sized settings with standard shapes to NOT be designer. The caveat is as you said, the material. Cutting a gem opal, fire agate, star sapphire or fire obsidian to name a few to fit a standard sized jewelry setting is different as it takes more skill. The real designers in my book are the ones who can look at a slab or piece of rough and see the perfect area for the perfect capture of the best feature of that stone. And being the snob that I am, the backs MUST be finished to the same level as the front. Dang rock snobs. I resemble that remark. |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,498
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Post by realrockhound on Feb 24, 2023 12:26:30 GMT -5
Obviously everything I produce is designer, because I’m just that special and badass.
That was a joke btw.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 24, 2023 12:27:06 GMT -5
Everything you listed is also what I would list. I consider any cab that will fit in standard trade jewelry sized settings with standard shapes to NOT be designer. The caveat is as you said, the material. Cutting a gem opal, fire agate, star sapphire or fire obsidian to name a few to fit a standard sized jewelry setting is different as it takes more skill. The real designers in my book are the ones who can look at a slab or piece of rough and see the perfect area for the perfect capture of the best feature of that stone. And being the snob that I am, the backs MUST be finished to the same level as the front. Dang rock snobs. I resemble that remark. Me too, but I wasn't going to admit it.  |
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 24, 2023 12:33:09 GMT -5
I have a different "take" on the term. I agree it's overused and often without any real basis. I may be guilty of that myself. But truly in my mind it's a cabochon that will appeal to the creative instincts of a jewelry artist/designer and inspire them to use it in an unique jewelry piece, i.e., a "designer" stone. It can be unusual or rare material, a shape that can be adapted to a new design concept, a color that can be used in conjunction with other stones to achieve a particular effect, or simply a beautiful standard material and shape of such quality it inspires a designer's talent to showcase it to maximum effect. I like that, a stone cut for a designer. People who sell online need to attract attention to what they're selling for sure, and if it works who cares. Somebody asked me what some really nice stuff they were slabbing should sell for, I suggested they look at IG posts from a couple of sellers we know. They use all the gemstone buzzwords in their descriptions so they get into more searches. Only time I dislike that is when they have this huge list of buzzwords far beyond the description of the current item. |
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Post by HankRocks on Feb 24, 2023 13:08:23 GMT -5
One that sells!!!
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 24, 2023 13:46:01 GMT -5
I hate the "designer" cab posts, particularly from certain people that call all of their cabs "designer" especially if the shapes are common rounds, squares, ovals, and distorted tear-drop ones. It is an overused term. I make a lot of different shapes, though I never call them "designer". We're on the same page as to how too often cabs are deemed "designer". I feel pretty much most of the cabs you post/produce would fall under the designer category. So, what do YOU consider the characteristics that would qualify a cab as a designer? Does a "free form cab" become a "designer cab" when people start copying it and Gemologist John adds it to his templates? Does it simply mean there are no pre-made belt buckle/bolo bezels available for it, and you must design the setting? Does it work for every shape as long as the "designer" wasn't just cutting up a slab for maximum yield like the Chinese? Must it be asymmetrical? Is it just word salad? I don't think emulation of a certain shape necessarily qualifies it as being designer...popular maybe...but not necessarily designer. I think there's multiple factors that come into play to make a cab designer. I'm with you where I don't believe the "maximum yield" out of a slab produces many if any cabs that could be considered designer. Everything you listed is also what I would list. I consider any cab that will fit in standard trade jewelry sized settings with standard shapes to NOT be designer. The caveat is as you said, the material. Cutting a gem opal, fire agate, star sapphire or fire obsidian to name a few to fit a standard sized jewelry setting is different as it takes more skill. The real designers in my book are the ones who can look at a slab or piece of rough and see the perfect area for the perfect capture of the best feature of that stone. And being the snob that I am, the backs MUST be finished to the same level as the front. I did run across one site that defined the designer cab as being the most selective piece out of a slab. When I first started, I was trying to get the maximum number of cabs I could out of a slab...I had the mentality of "waste nothing!". Now, I definitely find the one spot that I feel would make the best cab...then look for potential others...but that ONE is the most paramount to come out of the slab. Dang rock snobs! LOL Is a designer cab like art? You know it when you see it?
I agree with all of the above and I esp like what Robin said about getting the perfect scene in a cab.
I think you're right about "knowing it when you see it". I know this is such a subjective idea...and I don't think there could ever really be a set of standards which qualify a cab as being designer...but I absolutely love reading what others perspective is!  I have a different "take" on the term. I agree it's overused and often without any real basis. I may be guilty of that myself. But truly in my mind it's a cabochon that will appeal to the creative instincts of a jewelry artist/designer and inspire them to use it in an unique jewelry piece, i.e., a "designer" stone. It can be unusual or rare material, a shape that can be adapted to a new design concept, a color that can be used in conjunction with other stones to achieve a particular effect, or simply a beautiful standard material and shape of such quality it inspires a designer's talent to showcase it to maximum effect. I like your take on "appealing to the creative instincts"!! Obviously everything I produce is designer, because I’m just that special and badass. That was a joke btw.  I have a different "take" on the term. I agree it's overused and often without any real basis. I may be guilty of that myself. But truly in my mind it's a cabochon that will appeal to the creative instincts of a jewelry artist/designer and inspire them to use it in an unique jewelry piece, i.e., a "designer" stone. It can be unusual or rare material, a shape that can be adapted to a new design concept, a color that can be used in conjunction with other stones to achieve a particular effect, or simply a beautiful standard material and shape of such quality it inspires a designer's talent to showcase it to maximum effect. I like that, a stone cut for a designer. People who sell online need to attract attention to what they're selling for sure, and if it works who cares. Somebody asked me what some really nice stuff they were slabbing should sell for, I suggested they look at IG posts from a couple of sellers we know. They use all the gemstone buzzwords in their descriptions so they get into more searches. Only time I dislike that is when they have this huge list of buzzwords far beyond the description of the current item. I absolutely get the "need" to use terminology for selling tactics (e.g. search engine results)...and I will most likely use it for such. I would however like to try and get the vast majority of what I classify as "designer" as actually fitting into the category. LOL Nope! LOL - Otherwise the millions of cabs coming out of China could all be classified as "designer"! LOL *I know you were making a joke...at least I hope you were! LOL |
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Post by susand24224 on Feb 24, 2023 14:49:18 GMT -5
My take on the term is a little broader, as I have mentioned to jasoninsd before. So many cheap cabochons that we see are simply commercial cabochons that are designed to get the most out of a slab without regard to maximizing the impact of the pattern, color, etc. On the other hand, when we are cutting cabochons, there may be one or two "appropriate" cuts that maximize all of the above, which leaves much more unused material than the commercial method. What is beautiful to one may not be beautiful to all, so it may be the picture created, the cut of the cab, the color play or probably something else I'm not thinking of. But it is definitely quality as opposed to quantity. For advertising purposes, I would explain this to potential purchasers, i.e., tell them why the cabochon is special. Since everyone says "designer cab" I believe I would say (needs to be polished a bit): "I'm not going to call this a "designer" cab, as this tells you very little. What is special is that I searched for the best possible (color/picture/pattern) in a slab of rock and chose my design to maximum effect, in contrast to choosing my design to be able to produce the most cabochons to sell." |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Feb 24, 2023 15:57:16 GMT -5
It's really a market strategy or positioning to command a higher price, or to appeal to a higher priced market segment. I don't bother to segment or position my cabs by creating categories. If a cab is special for whatever reason, I often refer to it as "top grade". So, I'd say pick a term that you like for your best, higher-priced cabs that you like and which communicates well —
Premium
Choice
Prime
Superior
Exceptional
Select Top Grade Badass ...
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Feb 24, 2023 17:26:36 GMT -5
bobby1 Sorry to burst your bubble but I’d call your cabs designer.
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Post by Pat on Feb 24, 2023 18:00:59 GMT -5
To me, calling something designer is merely an attempt to charge more for the item. Doesn’t seem to have anything to do with quality.
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 24, 2023 21:46:40 GMT -5
My take on the term is a little broader, as I have mentioned to jasoninsd before. So many cheap cabochons that we see are simply commercial cabochons that are designed to get the most out of a slab without regard to maximizing the impact of the pattern, color, etc. On the other hand, when we are cutting cabochons, there may be one or two "appropriate" cuts that maximize all of the above, which leaves much more unused material than the commercial method. What is beautiful to one may not be beautiful to all, so it may be the picture created, the cut of the cab, the color play or probably something else I'm not thinking of. But it is definitely quality as opposed to quantity. For advertising purposes, I would explain this to potential purchasers, i.e., tell them why the cabochon is special. Since everyone says "designer cab" I believe I would say (needs to be polished a bit): "I'm not going to call this a "designer" cab, as this tells you very little. What is special is that I searched for the best possible (color/picture/pattern) in a slab of rock and chose my design to maximum effect, in contrast to choosing my design to be able to produce the most cabochons to sell." I remember some of the first times I "wasted" a lot of a slab in order to get the best cab out of it I could. I think it's a mental hurdle due to how I was raised...not to "waste" anything. I have gotten over it for the most part when parting out the slabs...but once in awhile it still bugs me! LOL I like what you've said about the cab...and I can see why people use the word "designer"...as it's a lot easier! LOL It's really a market strategy or positioning to command a higher price, or to appeal to a higher priced market segment. I don't bother to segment or position my cabs by creating categories. If a cab is special for whatever reason, I often refer to it as "top grade". So, I'd say pick a term that you like for your best, higher-priced cabs that you like and which communicates well —
Premium
Choice
Prime
Superior
Exceptional
Select Top Grade Badass ...
I'm liking "Badass" the best!! bobby1 Sorry to burst your bubble but I’d call your cabs designer.  I’d say it starts with the best of the best stone, stuff with the potential to wow just about anyone, even people clueless to what they are looking at. The shape should showcase the stones potential and beauty without the need for the cab to be some giant thing, and don’t rely solely on the shape being challenging or overly complex. Attention to detail should be evident with regard to every aspect of the shape and polish. I think we're on the same page as to how "designer" is defined... To me, calling something designer is merely an attempt to charge more for the item. Doesn’t seem to have anything to do with quality. Ooooh!! Then I'm going to start calling everything of mine Designer Designer Cabs...that way I can charge WAY more! LOL |
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 25, 2023 10:24:15 GMT -5
At least they were Jadeite...I thought for sure the link was going to be for small Obsidian cabs! LOL I absolutely love hearing other peoples take on these kind of matters. It's so subjective...and there's been views from all different directions! For me, I have to ponder whether I consider the cabs themselves to be designer...or does the setting in which they're placed elevate the cabs into the designer category because of the intricacy of the settings. Hmmmm.... |
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 25, 2023 10:32:17 GMT -5
I'll concur with you on that! It may be a "simple" shape at the top...but there's a complexity to the cut...and the plumes are so well placed. That agate is super clear...I'd love to know what that material is!! |
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