@@calbrittonjewelry yes, I'm definitely sporting a ponytail everytime I work. Not that it's just so fricking hot this summer, but to avoid all the horror stories that get passed down when you are learning the jewelry trade.
I would love to do this but I’m a metalsmith. I would love to learn to make my own cabs.. But I don’t have the equipment ugh 😩… but, I had some small pieces of turquoise I thought that I was going to use in a jewelry project. Well, they sat in the drawer for a year. So I decided I was gonna make barrel beads out of them. All I used was my Dremel that I had at the time lot of water and the bit to shape out the barrel beads and to drill 2 mm holes through the turquoise.. then I polished them up with Zam… I couldn’t believe the bracelet that I made was absolutely gorgeous… so I understand the concept of it. I just don’t have that machine. And I really would love to learn. Your work is gorgeous. Hugs 🤗, Michelle
Hey Michelle, there’s no reason why you can’t start up lapidary too! I think having both Metalsmithing and lapidary skills is so useful as a jewelry maker! I’m not sure where you live, but many cities have lapidary clubs that offer the use of their equipment for a yearly membership fee plus any other (usually hourly) fees. It’s a great way to take classes on skills that interest you so you can test the waters to then decide if you want to take the plunge to get your own equipment! I know it’s hard for many because the equipment isn’t cheap and you want to make sure to get quality tools upfront. The other trouble is finding the room to do it safely! Many people do start out making cabs with their Dremels with just diamond burs, Nova points, and polishing compound so that’s always an option! I think this bail project you could easily do with a dremel and a softer stone like turquoise. Granted, it will take a lot longer 😂 and you’d have to develop different methods. Feel free to reach out to me anytime at info@c-albritton.com if you have any questions about getting started in lapidary and maybe we can find a club close to you! 😊
@@calbrittonjewelry yes, we have a place in Dallas that offers anything to do with art and Lapidary is one of them. And I’m also a metalsmith instructor their too. I don’t get paid. I volunteer my services, but I have full access to work with any of the tools in the equipment. And until I saw your channel, I was really impressed with what you do. And yes, this nonprofit organization has an entire floor dedicated to Lapidary.. I actually forgot about that. But do you know of any clubs in the Dallas Fort Worth Texas area? I actually used an old Dremel that I had and turned my Sonora turquoise nuggets and two barrel, Beads just buy using some special tools that went into my Dremel. And like I said, I had a 2 mm diamond core that I used to drill out a hole through the Beads. But Nicole Ringgold is now on RUclips and she has a drill press and a whole bunch of different sizes of diamond core bits and shapes pebble rocks for her pebble rings that she makes. I need to see if she’s answered my question I could do that with my rose quartz nuggets that I have. I actually have a bunch of raw gemstone rocks that I was hoping to do something with… anyway again, thanks for reminding me about my own place that I go too. Superduper big hugs to you. 🤗, Michelle I talk text, so I hope nothing sounds out of place or Weird.
I just did a quick Google search of “ Dallas lapidary clubs” and already 3 popped up! You may want to do some further digging to see what courses are offered, what price comparison is, and what’s closest/most convenient for you but that’s going to get you off on a good start! And yes, you can definitely drill through rose quartz with a diamond core bit-whether on a dremel or drill press. You’ll get straighter holes with a drill press, but the problem is that the lever on it makes it hard to know how much pressure you’re putting on the stone. That’s important because you can easily press too hard and burn out your diamond bit. You’ll also have to be patient since quartz is a harder stone (7 on Mohs) so it’s going to feel like watching paint dry 😆 But your first dremel project really sounds like a success! I think the more you try, the more into lapidary you’re going to get 😁
I know what you mean, Cassandra. I haven’t finished LTF either 😂 but I’m probably at a point where I need to redo sections of it anyways! But I’ll be here when you’re ready to take a go at it 😊
Do you mind specifying what “basic tools” you have for your lapidary needs? That can help me better answer the question. But I could see this being done with diamond cutting bits for a flex shaft that’s fixed to a table top, hand positioning would just be a bit different.
I’m guessing you cab with a dop when using the flat lap? In my tutorial, I don’t dop my stones since it’s easier for me to cut a little off the sides, then the bottom of the stone (essentially, you’ll be cutting/carving all 5-6 sides of the stone, including the underneath!). That being said, you can easily cut the side walls on the flat lap, then always do some fine-tuning with your carving bits (those will be perfect for cutting the underside). Last thing I was thinking: your setup is probably already like this, but I’d have the flat lap set up where your eye is just slightly above the level of the lap wheels so you can really see what’s going on since it would suck to over-cut things when you go to cut the inlay stones down like for a flush inlay. But I believe with some creative thinking, we can totally make it work for you! :)
Congratulations on winning the Halstead Jewelry Supply Grant! That’s a wonderful accomplishment and well deserved.
Thank you so much, Cassandra! It feels awesome to be recognized by them! And the cash award is a nice bonus 😊
Those are beautiful and really make the setting much fancier. Wow, you cut your hair. So cute 😊
Aww, shucks thank you so much! And it’s nice not having to worry about getting long hair stuck in any machines 😅
@@calbrittonjewelry yes, I'm definitely sporting a ponytail everytime I work. Not that it's just so fricking hot this summer, but to avoid all the horror stories that get passed down when you are learning the jewelry trade.
Exactly! When I was in school, the woodshop had the same kind of horror stories 😨 so hair is always way away from any spinning things!
Thank You.
You’re welcome!
I would love to do this but I’m a metalsmith. I would love to learn to make my own cabs.. But I don’t have the equipment ugh 😩… but, I had some small pieces of turquoise I thought that I was going to use in a jewelry project. Well, they sat in the drawer for a year. So I decided I was gonna make barrel beads out of them. All I used was my Dremel that I had at the time lot of water and the bit to shape out the barrel beads and to drill 2 mm holes through the turquoise.. then I polished them up with Zam… I couldn’t believe the bracelet that I made was absolutely gorgeous… so I understand the concept of it. I just don’t have that machine. And I really would love to learn. Your work is gorgeous. Hugs 🤗, Michelle
Hey Michelle, there’s no reason why you can’t start up lapidary too! I think having both Metalsmithing and lapidary skills is so useful as a jewelry maker! I’m not sure where you live, but many cities have lapidary clubs that offer the use of their equipment for a yearly membership fee plus any other (usually hourly) fees. It’s a great way to take classes on skills that interest you so you can test the waters to then decide if you want to take the plunge to get your own equipment! I know it’s hard for many because the equipment isn’t cheap and you want to make sure to get quality tools upfront. The other trouble is finding the room to do it safely!
Many people do start out making cabs with their Dremels with just diamond burs, Nova points, and polishing compound so that’s always an option! I think this bail project you could easily do with a dremel and a softer stone like turquoise. Granted, it will take a lot longer 😂 and you’d have to develop different methods.
Feel free to reach out to me anytime at info@c-albritton.com if you have any questions about getting started in lapidary and maybe we can find a club close to you! 😊
@@calbrittonjewelry yes, we have a place in Dallas that offers anything to do with art and Lapidary is one of them. And I’m also a metalsmith instructor their too. I don’t get paid. I volunteer my services, but I have full access to work with any of the tools in the equipment. And until I saw your channel, I was really impressed with what you do. And yes, this nonprofit organization has an entire floor dedicated to Lapidary.. I actually forgot about that.
But do you know of any clubs in the Dallas Fort Worth Texas area? I actually used an old Dremel that I had and turned my Sonora turquoise nuggets and two barrel, Beads just buy using some special tools that went into my Dremel. And like I said, I had a 2 mm diamond core that I used to drill out a hole through the Beads. But Nicole Ringgold is now on RUclips and she has a drill press and a whole bunch of different sizes of diamond core bits and shapes pebble rocks for her pebble rings that she makes. I need to see if she’s answered my question I could do that with my rose quartz nuggets that I have. I actually have a bunch of raw gemstone rocks that I was hoping to do something with… anyway again, thanks for reminding me about my own place that I go too. Superduper big hugs to you. 🤗, Michelle I talk text, so I hope nothing sounds out of place or Weird.
I just did a quick Google search of “ Dallas lapidary clubs” and already 3 popped up! You may want to do some further digging to see what courses are offered, what price comparison is, and what’s closest/most convenient for you but that’s going to get you off on a good start!
And yes, you can definitely drill through rose quartz with a diamond core bit-whether on a dremel or drill press. You’ll get straighter holes with a drill press, but the problem is that the lever on it makes it hard to know how much pressure you’re putting on the stone. That’s important because you can easily press too hard and burn out your diamond bit. You’ll also have to be patient since quartz is a harder stone (7 on Mohs) so it’s going to feel like watching paint dry 😆
But your first dremel project really sounds like a success! I think the more you try, the more into lapidary you’re going to get 😁
Love this Caitlin! I have a lot going on right now (haven’t even finished LTF), but I would love to take your course when I get some time.
I know what you mean, Cassandra. I haven’t finished LTF either 😂 but I’m probably at a point where I need to redo sections of it anyways! But I’ll be here when you’re ready to take a go at it 😊
Do you need a cabbing machine or can it be done with more basic tools?
Do you mind specifying what “basic tools” you have for your lapidary needs? That can help me better answer the question.
But I could see this being done with diamond cutting bits for a flex shaft that’s fixed to a table top, hand positioning would just be a bit different.
@@calbrittonjewelry I have a flat lap and a flex shaft with various types of bits
I’m guessing you cab with a dop when using the flat lap?
In my tutorial, I don’t dop my stones since it’s easier for me to cut a little off the sides, then the bottom of the stone (essentially, you’ll be cutting/carving all 5-6 sides of the stone, including the underneath!). That being said, you can easily cut the side walls on the flat lap, then always do some fine-tuning with your carving bits (those will be perfect for cutting the underside).
Last thing I was thinking: your setup is probably already like this, but I’d have the flat lap set up where your eye is just slightly above the level of the lap wheels so you can really see what’s going on since it would suck to over-cut things when you go to cut the inlay stones down like for a flush inlay.
But I believe with some creative thinking, we can totally make it work for you! :)