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Post by knave on Jan 16, 2020 19:31:26 GMT -5
Many of the cabs that come across this board are freeform style. Usually to bring out the scene or pattern in the rock.
I have a natural tendency for symmetry ie. I love a neatly pruned shrub or centered text. Is one preferred above the other? Is it a fashion that comes and goes? FWIW I’m not talking about a jewelry setting but just a cabochon.
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Post by mohs on Jan 16, 2020 20:01:04 GMT -5
If your gonna do classic heart shape
Symmetry is important and a trick to accomplish
When I first started doing hearts
I didn’t think shape was that important
But
after seeing others excellent shaping,
and some healthy critical analysis
I started to get finicky about it
That when trouble began ha ha
Being that i did the heart in 2 parts
I should of had no trouble getting
damn near perfection in the shape
But I wouldn’t take enough time
to calibrate the 2 wings
in the pre-forming stage
Not sure why ?
Yet,
making the heart in 2 parts
as so many tweaking advantages,
but it time hasn’t come,
yet
thing was- that I wanted all the hearts
to have that mohs touch
not a cookie cutter heart
mostly
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jan 16, 2020 20:02:17 GMT -5
Many of the cabs that come across this board are freeform style. Usually to bring out the scene or pattern in the rock. I have a natural tendency for symmetry ie. I love a neatly pruned shrub or centered text. Is one preferred above the other? Is it a fashion that comes and goes? FWIW I’m not talking about a jewelry setting but just a cabochon. Sometimes, freeform is used to maximize the size of a cab. Or to work around flaws in the slab. So is it method, or result? (I like them both!) |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 16, 2020 21:55:48 GMT -5
I don't know that there's any specific global preference as to what shape you make your cabs. I think it depends on what you want to do with them. If you are going to try and sell them to jewelers then the shape matters in terms of how difficult it would be to make a setting for it and also how pleasing the shape is to the eye. A lot of the "fancier" shapes, including freeforms, are usually marketed as "designer cabs" and the asking price is usually more for them, warranted or not.
I cut whatever shape I feel like cutting. Some are freeform, some not. Just depends on what I think is the best use of the material I have or what I want to do with it when it's finished. Most of the opal I cut is freeform to reduce grinding away more opal than I need to. Opal down the drain is money down the drain.
Clear as mud, right?
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Post by knave on Jan 16, 2020 22:04:14 GMT -5
Makes sense.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jan 16, 2020 22:17:08 GMT -5
Hey knave , I also tend to be a symmetrical person - drives Robin nuts. As an opal cutter, I do cut a lot of freeforms, though. There just has to be some sort of balance in the way a pattern is framed, or in the relative proportions of the way one part of the cab transitions to another for me to like it.
Crazy Lace still drives me nuts. It's just so difficult get the kind of balance I want when trying to frame all those unruly squiggles... .
The little bit of recurve on the long side is what it took to finally make me like it.
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Post by stardiamond on Jan 16, 2020 22:39:23 GMT -5
Given a choice, I prefer symmetrical. Framing the pattern is my number one priority. Looking a pattern on a slab, a decision needs to be made with what is be included and excluded. Include as much as I can while maintaining a pleasing shape, symmetrical or freeform. Freeforms are also practical when something goes wrong or working with a scrap.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jan 16, 2020 22:41:22 GMT -5
Been cabbing on a regular basis for nine years now and no freeforms. I have explained it on here before that I am just not wired for freeforming. I really enjoy seeing the freeforms that others post but have zero desire to do them myself. It shows in my cabs, wire work and silversmithing. I personally think it makes my work look a little boring VS the artistic look of some freeform work but it is what I like so that is what I do.
Chuck
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 17, 2020 2:39:44 GMT -5
Regardless of symmetric or freeform, sharp points can be a challenge for some metalsmiths, especially when setting in bezels. I have occasionally cut pointed cabs for sale, but I generally put a radius on corners and especially for cabs that I set.
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 476
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Post by herb on Jan 17, 2020 9:17:14 GMT -5
My preference is for freeforms. While there is skill needed to make a perfectly calibrated oval cab, I enjoy the freedom of making whatever shape fits the pattern of the stone. It also results in more of the slab being usable. Also, if you are trying to sell your cabs, the freeforms stand out more, I think. Especially against the mediocre machine made ovals that can be had for only a few dollars. Many people dont seem to recognize or appreciate the difference between a $3 machine made cab with a meh polish and a $15 hand made cab that shines.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 17, 2020 10:33:17 GMT -5
I just go by what my eyes tell me to do with a certain stone... Follow your gut also... Many I follow with the simple design, because most are just a common rock or mineral.. But a few need that added touch and that's where you throw design out the window and go for it...
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Post by miket on Jan 17, 2020 10:37:56 GMT -5
You've seen mine, knave, so you know that I obviously prefer freeform. Honestly, most of the stuff I've done is just based on what I think would make the stone look nice. In the words of fernwood, I listen to the rock. Other times, fractures and pits guide me.  But- and here's the caveat- I love the perfection that others are able to obtain. However, unlike Chuck and Steve, I must not be wired for symmetry. I suspect that wrapping symmetrical cabs might be "easier", but where's the fun in that?  |
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Post by knave on Jan 17, 2020 10:48:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the input everyone.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 17, 2020 11:38:38 GMT -5
Guess I'll chime in, too. I prefer symmetry. It's how my brain is wired. I have a hard time with freeforms, except for when the stone is broken and needs to be a certain way. That said, I am careful (now) that my symmetrical cabs have rounded or dulled corners for easier setting.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,060
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 17, 2020 12:17:06 GMT -5
I started lapidary work by cutting opal in the early 1960s. In those days symmetry was the absolute rule: calibrated ovals, rounds, etc. Yet considering the nature and price of precious opal, I simply refused to force some beautiful gems into those constricted shapes and I started freeforming.
Since calibrated symmetrical mountings were the only commercial option for jewelry then, I learned metalsmithing to set my creations. But when I started cutting agates, jaspers and other stones I fell into the then-current convention of calibrated ovals etc. Again, there were stones with patterns and scenes that defied being corraled into restricted shapes so I started freeforming them.
Over time I realized the truth of the now-trite saying that "the stone tells you how it wants to be cut." Some, like precious opal and fire agate, don't just "tell" you, they shout and demand!
Bottom line, I guess it depends on the stone being worked and the inclinations of the cutter. Both symmetrical and free-style cuts have their place and their fans. I'm glad I learned to cut calibrated shapes because I'm often asked to replace stones in jewelry. It's handy skill to have.
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Post by stardiamond on Jan 17, 2020 12:38:30 GMT -5
Metalsmithing is something I don't want to tackle along with wrapping. I have favorite symmetrical shapes and I have found that there are no pre made settings available for these; 30x40 24x40. The pattern and shape of the cabochon is important to me and I am not interested in cutting sizes where premade settings are available.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 17, 2020 18:31:11 GMT -5
For the helluvit, I got a couple examples of what I consider fails. These were both purchased a long time ago. I need to rework them because they drive me nuts the way they are. The first is an example of when a symmetrical shape goes wrong. It's a very small issue (well, 2 actually), but they just ruin the stone for me. The top left side has a bump, but the bottom really bugs me the most. It won't take much to fix it, though.
Here it is more obvious. The top left is higher.
I purchased this koroit in a lot. The diagonal pattern just doesn't work with the freeform. I call this a freeform fail. The shape waaaay too "freeform". I won't be left with too much when I rework.  |
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Post by mohs on Jan 17, 2020 18:57:27 GMT -5
Yep those are fails, Tela but good enough for the rocks I go out with  in all seriousness I know what you mean and a fail in classic heart shape really show this is one I sent out that really bugs I can see where it needs some tweaking  mohs |
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Post by knave on Jan 17, 2020 19:00:19 GMT -5
Yep those are fails, Tela but good enough for the rocks I go out with in all seriousness I know what you mean and a fail in classic heart shape really show this is one I sent out that really bugs I can see where it needs some tweaking mohs HOW in the world do you join the halves |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 17, 2020 19:01:48 GMT -5
Yep those are fails, Tela but good enough for the rocks I go out with in all seriousness I know what you mean and a fail in classic heart shape really show this is one I sent out that really bugs I can see where it needs some tweaking mohs I see that the right side is a little higher, but not enough to bother me. I like it. |
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