Today, needlework is more popular than ever, and the whole world remembered that handmade products bring real, incomparable pleasure. Each person is engaged in the type of this direction that he prefers. Women are more inclined to create thin and beautiful things. Jewelry created at home gives women not only the opportunity to diversify their appearance, but also provides a certain reason for pride. Starting the production of jewelry, many needlewomen ask themselves: "What is cabochon?" They come across this word in books on needlework, on the pages of online stores, and therefore this issue should be carefully covered.
Requirements for processing cabochons
Start with the fact that the word "cabochon" itself comes from the French word "caboche", which means "head". The object itself really looks like the top of the head. That is, a cabochon is a stone that has a certain shape, due to special processing. As a rule, cabochons are oval or round in shape, but there are other options. So, on the one hand, the stone is convex, and on the other, it is even, cut down. The convex part must be absolutely smooth, withoutnotches or irregularities. Therefore, it is clear that a cabochon is such a smooth stone that is intended for use in the manufacture of jewelry. It is very pleasant to the touch, which is why products with it are so popular.
Processing method
In addition, to the question "Cabochon - what is it?" there is also such an answer: the method of polishing stones has the same name. It must be understood that the method involves grinding, and not cutting. As a rule, cabochons are made from natural stones, but they can also be made from artificial, semi-precious and ornamental, but such a procedure as cutting stones is not used for their processing. It should be noted that cloudy and dim materials are used for cabochons, because grinding cannot bring them to a mirror shine. Therefore, cabochons made of natural stones seem a little worn, since they have no facets, and the light does not play, that is, it does not refract. Their external appeal is given by the color and pattern of the stone used.
For cabochons from natural stones, specimens are selected that have a beautiful pattern or an interesting optical effect. In addition, bright and unusual colors with all sorts of streaks and stains on the surface have priority. Beautiful and unusual effects in the appearance of stones are called asterism and iridescence. Such a concept as cutting stones is not used in the creation of cabochons, only the grinding method is used. Also, sometimes cabochons come with a raw surface, that is, a natural look. Typically, crystal cabochons are used for such cabochons.minerals or stones with a spectacular surface.
Cabochon Standards
It must be said that there are some standards in this production, and the cabochon cut is recognized only if it meets certain shapes. Therefore, when a person asks the question "Cabochon - what is it?", One must understand that this object can only be in the form of a circle, oval, heart, cross and polygon. Other forms will not meet the standards. In addition, cabochons are divided by height, it varies depending on the curvature of the treated surface. So, if the selected stone is very fragile or has a tendency to chip, then it is usually given an oval shape. And from stronger stones that lend themselves well to processing, they create crosses and hearts.
Materials for cabochons
Separately, it is necessary to highlight such an issue as the processing of precious stones. Usually, precious and semi-precious stones are used for cabochons only on request. For the production of cabochons, for the most part, gems and stones with a pronounced interesting pattern or unusual colors are used. But there are a number of precious and semi-precious stones that show all their charm precisely in cabochons, for example, these are star sapphire, star ruby, oligoclase or moonstone, chrysoberyl or cat's eye, turquoise and hairy. Ornamental stones are also used for the production of cabochons, that is, lapis lazuli, jade, agate, malachite, serpentine and tiger's eye. In addition, rock crystal cabochons look amazing.and black agate. Brooches and rings with these stones look extremely impressive.
Using cabochons
Further, answering the question "Cabochon - what is it?", You should talk about the use of this product. Cabochons are inserted into rings and pendants, bracelets and earrings, and are also used to decorate bags and purses. On sale today there is a large selection of special metal blanks for the same rings and pendants, as well as for earrings. Each needlewoman, as a rule, has her own set of jewelry making tools, with which you can easily insert a cabochon into an existing workpiece. For example, making a brooch or ring in the presence of a blank will not take much effort from a needlewoman. The main thing here is to carefully choose the shape and color of the cabochon itself, and then a few small strokes in the form of rhinestones or polymer flowers will help create a truly unique product.
What cabochons match with
Beaded cabochons also look very good, as a rule, this technique is used in the manufacture of necklaces. Beads are sewn onto a drape or other strong fabric base in the form of some beautiful pattern or pattern. And cabochons of various shapes are woven into some fragments of this ornament. Sometimes craftswomen use beaded cabochons for earrings and even for rings. In order to qualitatively braid a cabochon with beads, it is necessary to use not a fishing line, but a thread, because the fishing line tends to stretch, and the cabochon canfall out. You also need to carefully select the beads themselves - they must certainly be calibrated, that is, the same size. This is necessary in order for the cabochon to lay flat and look expensive.
In general, we can say that the variety of materials and color shades in the production of cabochons give craftsmen and craftswomen a huge scope for the use of their imagination. Therefore, these stone products are so in demand and are very popular.