What You Should Know About Wholesale Cabochons

Posted by adortalukdar on June 24th, 2014

Unlike diamonds, cabochons are gemstones that are polished to achieve the perfection and not cut. Most of the jewellery stones and consignment boutiques display these cabochons at higher prices. However, wholesale cabochons are available at unbelievably cheap rates. These asteriated stones are manufactured by cutting a dome shape so that the eye or the star of the stone is visible clearly. For instance the star sapphire, chatoyant stones and the beautiful cat’s eye chrysoberyl stones are also asteriated. Yellowish chatoyant chrysoberyl is the most commonly available translucent wholesale yellowish cabochons. Parallel to the C-axis microscopic tube like cavities of rutile are present in these stones. This gives a very distinct and special effect when a single ray of light passes through it enhancing the brightness of the wholesale cabochon.

These are commonly available in an elliptical shape and very rarely seen in circle or round shapes. The shape gives it a cat’s eye like look that is distinct and appreciated. A cabochon is made by cutting the rough rock away from the main piece using a slab saw. The next step is to mark the desired shape in the main piece. Then a diamond blade saw is used to cut away the excess parts so that it is trimmed down close to the stencil mark. After this, the shape is perfected by hand by creating a smooth and perfect finish on the top side to give a uniform dome shape so that the beauty of the stone is enhanced. Generally artisans prefer making the flat back and the top convex.

Most of the opaque gems are cut but, generally they look better when they are faceted than cut. However, it depends upon the strength or the hardness of stone. Hardness scale is used to understand the stage in which the stone is present and how much it will withstand. If the Mohs hardness scale is used, reading above seven means that it will withstand scratching and damage. Most artisans prefer not to use the stones that register a score below seven as they can be scratched very easy.

In general, expert craftsmen weight and scale the cabochons before they are cut to be used for creating jewellery. Preferably they are faceted because they will reflect light better and also look prettier when used in jewellery. Specifically they are a hot favourite for pendants as they standout and are eye-catching. Faceted stones are expensive in comparison to the wholesale cabochons that are not faceted. Most of the wholesale cabochons available are cut into shape, polished so that they reflect light.

However it is rare to find faceted cabochons in wholesale and they are flat on one side and convex on the other. One of the important reasons for the cabochons bought wholesale not being faceted is that they are made from soft stones. They can easily scratch away while being processed.

Further it might also look unattractive because the silicon dioxide present in the dust will scratch the stone on daily wear and tear. It is ideal to buy wholesale cabochons because brick and mortar merchants are expensive and they also hold similar pieces.