How to Make Doublet Cabochons

You make have heard about cabochon doublets before, but what are they exactly?
Basically, it’s a cabochon made with two layers: a top stone (that’s usually a pricier material) and a bottom piece (a less expensive stone).
There are many reasons you may want to use doublets. Some lapidaries extend a more expensive material (like turquoise), by cutting it thin and backing it wither with another stone. The backing can also provide some shock resistance and stabilization to materials that are more prone to cracking.
Artistically, doublets can be used to secure intarsias, which is a method of cutting and fitting together small pieces of stone to create interesting surface designs. The backing helps to hold everything together while making an interesting backside to a potential piece of jewelry.
Here, I’m using doublets with a translucent material on the top (hyalite / bubble opal), and an opaque color underneath to make some neat combinations for my jewelry.
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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to Doublets
1:07 Selecting Doublet Stones
3:51Prepping Stones on Flat Lap
4:24 Removing Moisture from Stones
4:56 Gluing Pieces Together
9:11 Ready to Cab
10:22 Finished
Interested in finding out more about hyalite opal? Check out my hyalite / bubble opal tutorial here: • How to Cut Hyalite Opa...
For the equipment I’m using:
-Hi-Tech Diamond 8-inch Slant Cabber. Use coupon code “CALBRITTON” at checkout for 10% off your purchase (excludes machines, extended warranties, and gift cards): hitechdiamond.com/collections...
-6-inch CabKing. Use coupon code “CALBRITTON” at checkout for 10% off your purchase (excludes machines, extended warranties, and gift cards): cabking.com/products/cabking-...
-Hi-Tech Diamond 6-inch trim saw (use same code as above): hitechdiamond.com/collections...
-Candle warmer: amzn.to/3D0k2D8
-Epoxy 330: amzn.to/3z9X633
Optional: Hxtal (fair warning it's exponentially more expensive): www.hisglassworks.com/bond-an...
-Epoxy mixing sticks: amzn.to/3TKDdaM
-Pack of multiple-sized spring clamps: amzn.to/3gt2M1z
-Optional: head-mounted magnification. This is the one I have: amzn.to/3TtVvgL
*As an Amazon Affiliate and Cabking/Hi-Tech Diamond Ambassador, I earn from qualifying purchases
Key Takeaways:
1. Choose what slabs you want to affix together for a doublet, making sure that the bottom stone is slightly larger around than the top stone. Bring these slabs over to a flat lap wheel (80 diamond) to grind your surfaces flush. I like drawing on the whole surface of the slab with a pencil or permanent marker; I know that my surface is level when all the marks are gone.
2. Use a candle warmer to heat the stones for 5-10 minutes to remove the moisture from them. This is crucial because water can weaken the epoxy’s bond.
3. Squeeze out equal parts resin to hardener (I eyeball it, but you could also weigh it). Use a mixing stick to thoroughly mix everything together. Once it’s all mixed up, spread a nice layer of epoxy on both sides that you want glued together; if you see any gap around the edges, take the stones apart and add more epoxy. Use clamps to hold the two stones together and let cure for 24 hours (or whatever the box recommends if you use a different adhesive).
4. Once the epoxy has cured, you can remove the clamps and trim off the extra backplate that overhangs the top stone.
5. Cab like you would any other stone!