Select Rough Stone
30 minutesselect rough stone with precision, following established lapidary methods and verifying results at each stage.
Field context
This workflow is part of 1 niche field
Learn first cabochon cut from scratch with a clear step-by-step workflow, recommended tools, safety guidelines, and expert tips.
select rough stone with precision, following established lapidary methods and verifying results at each stage.
trim to preform with precision, following established lapidary methods and verifying results at each stage.
grind dome shape with precision, following established lapidary methods and verifying results at each stage.
sand through grits with precision, following established lapidary methods and verifying results at each stage.
polish on canvas with precision, following established lapidary methods and verifying results at each stage.
Key benchmarks for first cabochon cut.
| Grit | Purpose | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Rough grind | Coarse |
| 220 | Shape | Medium |
| 14000 | Polish | Fine |
Keep stone wet while grinding — dry silica dust causes silicosis.
Never skip grit steps — each stage removes scratches from the previous.
Wear safety glasses even when wet grinding — slurry splashes at high speed.