Shaping a cabochon to fit pendant blanks

choochoorocks
starting to spend too much on rocks

Rock hounding

Member since April 2020
Posts: 180

Shaping a cabochon to fit pendant blanks Nov 19, 2024 11:03:19 GMT -5 via mobile whalecottagedesigns likes this

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Post by choochoorocks on Nov 19, 2024 11:03:19 GMT -5

Hi,

I am interested to make a few oval pendants by buying the blanks on Etsy and then making the right sized cabochon to fit. My problem is, while the cabochon template I have (from rtumbler.com) has several oval sizes, very few of them match what I see on Etsy. For instance, my template has a 30x22 mm but the closest size I see on Etsy seems to be 30x25. Is there a trick to shaping cabs to fit blanks when your template isn't exactly the right size?

Thanks in advance!

realrockhound
Cave Dweller

Chucking leaverite at tweekers

Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483

Shaping a cabochon to fit pendant blanks Nov 19, 2024 12:15:21 GMT -5 via mobile Pat and hummingbirdstones like this

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Post by realrockhound on Nov 19, 2024 12:15:21 GMT -5

Cut a piece of construction paper to fit the blank. Then stick that on your slab to get the shape. It won’t be perfect and you’ll have to take a lil more off the preform to get it to fit. However.. this will get you dangerously close from the gate. Grind as required until cab fits nicely

pebblesky
driving up their electric bill

Purchased another UV mini bowl for tumbling

Member since September 2022
Posts: 2,159

Shaping a cabochon to fit pendant blanks Nov 19, 2024 12:23:51 GMT -5

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Post by pebblesky on Nov 19, 2024 12:23:51 GMT -5

Maybe search on temu or aliexpress to see if they provide more different sizes at much lower prices.

With the cabochon blanks you already have, you can fill the blank with air-dry clay and once the clay is dried up you can use it as a template although it doesn't work the same way.

To make a proper template that fits arbitrary shape of cabochon blank, you can use resin or you can 3d print or laser cut the templates.

Pat
misunderstood rock expert

Member since February 2012
Posts: 11,828

Shaping a cabochon to fit pendant blanks Nov 19, 2024 12:28:56 GMT -5 via mobile hummingbirdstones likes this

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Post by Pat on Nov 19, 2024 12:28:56 GMT -5

Check out tripps.com. Huge selection. I’ve used them for many years.
Website poor, but good selection.
Paper catalog much better.

Or you can make your own setting….
Good luck!

Pat

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Shaping a cabochon to fit pendant blanks

Post by choochoorocks on Nov 19, 2024 11:03:19 GMT -5

Post by realrockhound on Nov 19, 2024 12:15:21 GMT -5

Post by pebblesky on Nov 19, 2024 12:23:51 GMT -5

Post by Pat on Nov 19, 2024 12:28:56 GMT -5

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