Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2019 12:35:48 GMT -5
Does anyone here sign their cabochons (at least the better ones)? Artists and artisans in just about every other endeavor do so, so why not? They did/do so to establish their reputations (aka, marketing), establish a history to trace back to them (for repeat buyers as well as for future reference), and just to show pride in their work and the effort put into it. Signed works art and craft typically sell for more. I have bought many cabs over the centuries years, and a signature would sure help my old brain with those I can no longer recall who cabbed them. Even better would be a signature + some indication of the gemstone - important information that very quickly is forgotten, otherwise. Fiddly small signatures are easier to stamp into metal (and hopefully all you who do settings are already doing that), but for those of us who collect cabs, something unobtrusively scratched on the back or girdle of the stone would be even better. They're laser-signing the girdles of diamonds these days, so not a new idea. Oh, and logos. If you are going to use a logo as your signature, that is only good if you register it with one of the organizations that track artist signatures. This whole question came to mind as I've been attempting to track down who made an opal carving. Has a logo, but not one that appears in the catalogs, which helps me not one bit  |
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cosmetal
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2018
Posts: 115
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Post by cosmetal on May 2, 2019 13:04:15 GMT -5
Does anyone here sign their cabochons (at least the better ones)? Artists and artisans in just about every other endeavor do so, so why not? They did/do so to establish their reputations (aka, marketing), establish a history to trace back to them (for repeat buyers as well as for future reference), and just to show pride in their work and the effort put into it. Signed works art and craft typically sell for more. I have bought many cabs over the centuries years, and a signature would sure help my old brain with those I can no longer recall who cabbed them. Even better would be a signature + some indication of the gemstone - important information that very quickly is forgotten, otherwise. Fiddly small signatures are easier to stamp into metal (and hopefully all you who do settings are already doing that), but for those of us who collect cabs, something unobtrusively scratched on the back or girdle of the stone would be even better. They're laser-signing the girdles of diamonds these days, so not a new idea. Oh, and logos. If you are going to use a logo as your signature, that is only good if you register it with one of the organizations that track artist signatures. This whole question came to mind as I've been attempting to track down who made an opal carving. Has a logo, but not one that appears in the catalogs, which helps me not one bit My avatar is my "logo" that is called a touchmark in the blacksmith/metal worker trade. This example was hot-forged into copper. I put it on custom made work - not production work. I'm planning on replicating it on my jewelry designs and pieces, which I am now transitioning into, since I am getting too old to swing a heavy hammer on hot steel, etc. Anyone know of a good stamp maker? James |
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2019 13:11:39 GMT -5
Anyone know of a good stamp maker? Buckeye Engraving is one, but there are lots of them around. Perhaps looking for someone local would be handiest. I'm specifically talking about marking/signing cabs and stone, however, for which a stamp wouldn't work. |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 2, 2019 13:52:28 GMT -5
I guess it would be easy enough to use a scribe on the back of the cab. But then someone would complain. I send out cabs bagged with all the stone's info and people have told me how much they really appreciate that. I don't add my name, but maybe I should.
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 2, 2019 14:42:43 GMT -5
I suppose that if one had a small sandblaster, it would be possible to "sign" a cab back with a suitably designed stencil and either silicon carbide or aluminum oxide media. The cab's polished surface might need some minimal level of protection to avoid micro-divots from any media deflected by the chamber.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2019 15:06:50 GMT -5
I guess it would be easy enough to use a scribe on the back of the cab. But then someone would complain. I send out cabs bagged with all the stone's info and people have told me how much they really appreciate that. I don't add my name, but maybe I should. I was also thinking a diamond stylus/scribe might work. I also appreciate info being included, but the problem with that is once it gets out of the bag (and I do move things out of plastic bags to avoid acid leaching) or set, the info does tend to get misplaced or completely forgotten. And, yeah, you've an artistic eye, so sign your work if possible. I suppose that if one had a small sandblaster, it would be possible to "sign" a cab back with a suitably designed stencil and either silicon carbide or aluminum oxide media. The cab's polished surface might need some minimal level of protection to avoid micro-divots from any media deflected by the chamber. That would be fantastic, though the effort might only be worth it for "important" pieces. They do make micro laser engravers now that plug into a USB port and are dirt cheap (from around $70 and up). They do work on metal, but don't know whether they'd work on stone (likely not on opal or similar that are sensitive to heat stress). Would be ideal to just type in a logo, signature and/or any other info then press print. |
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cosmetal
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2018
Posts: 115
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Post by cosmetal on May 2, 2019 15:45:54 GMT -5
Anyone know of a good stamp maker? Buckeye Engraving is one, but there are lots of them around. Perhaps looking for someone local would be handiest. I'm specifically talking about marking/signing cabs and stone, however, for which a stamp wouldn't work. "I'm specifically talking about marking/signing cabs and stone, however, for which a stamp wouldn't work." I guess I'm still too much on the "heavy metal" side still. But, I certainly didn't mean to "wack" your cabs with a stamp. Ouch . . . !  Even a light-handed blacksmith would't try that. Just wanted to show the use of a logo/trademark.  Thanks for the engraver lead. James |
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Post by stardiamond on May 2, 2019 16:46:49 GMT -5
I prefer to be anonymous; not good enough for a brand.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 2, 2019 17:04:38 GMT -5
I prefer to be anonymous; not good enough for a brand. So, you don't take pride in your work? Why bother. |
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Post by stardiamond on May 2, 2019 17:22:36 GMT -5
I take pride in my designs not in my technical skills. I've posted before that my wife collected cabs and bought from some of the best. When buying from them a person would know that there would be a very high level of craftmanship. She also bought cabs from people that she knew weren't as skilled because she liked the cab or the material in the cab with a design that could be improved on. She has some large morrisonite cabs with great material and a large clunky design that could be recut. They are in a riker box with other morrisonite cabs and at some point I may recut them.
I believe with my designs and material with full disclosure about my ability I will be able to sell cabs.
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julieooly
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2018
Posts: 716 
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Post by julieooly on May 2, 2019 17:43:06 GMT -5
This is a great idea, I wonder if there is some kind of paint pen that could be used and removed by the purchaser if they didn't like it? or like an acrylic nail-polish?
I'd probably want to do a simple yellow sunshine logo maybe using dotting tools and a bright nail polish? What do ya'll think.
Oh, and you could ask your customers after they buy the cabs if they mind if you adding it to the back maybe. Wouldn't take much time at all.
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Post by stardiamond on May 2, 2019 17:52:49 GMT -5
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Post by taylor on May 2, 2019 19:13:01 GMT -5
Does anyone here sign their cabochons (at least the better ones)? Artists and artisans in just about every other endeavor do so, so why not? They did/do so to establish their reputations (aka, marketing), establish a history to trace back to them (for repeat buyers as well as for future reference), and just to show pride in their work and the effort put into it. Signed works art and craft typically sell for more. I have bought many cabs over the centuries years, and a signature would sure help my old brain with those I can no longer recall who cabbed them. Even better would be a signature + some indication of the gemstone - important information that very quickly is forgotten, otherwise. Fiddly small signatures are easier to stamp into metal (and hopefully all you who do settings are already doing that), but for those of us who collect cabs, something unobtrusively scratched on the back or girdle of the stone would be even better. They're laser-signing the girdles of diamonds these days, so not a new idea. Oh, and logos. If you are going to use a logo as your signature, that is only good if you register it with one of the organizations that track artist signatures. This whole question came to mind as I've been attempting to track down who made an opal carving. Has a logo, but not one that appears in the catalogs, which helps me not one bit My avatar is my "logo" that is called a touchmark in the blacksmith/metal worker trade. This example was hot-forged into copper. I put it on custom made work - not production work. I'm planning on replicating it on my jewelry designs and pieces, which I am now transitioning into, since I am getting too old to swing a heavy hammer on hot steel, etc. Anyone know of a good stamp maker? James We had a good experience back in October with Infinity Stamps, Inc in California. We ordered a custom stamp for silver from them. See www.infinitystamps.com |
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Post by greig on May 2, 2019 20:05:49 GMT -5
Now there is a business idea for someone to take on. Making a custom mini logo for those who want one. Cab Emoji.
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cosmetal
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2018
Posts: 115
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Post by cosmetal on May 3, 2019 10:13:24 GMT -5
taylorInfinity Stamps looks very promising. Thanks for the lead! James
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