5600. Lapidary - Stone Cutting/Polishing - Cabochons!
Class - Lapidary | Available
A cabochon is a gemstone which has been shaped and polished as opposed to faceted. Learn the basics of creating cabochons including stone selection, using a trim saw, dopping the stone, and grinding/polishing on a cabbing machine. This class enrolls just 4 students so everyone has their own cabbing machine to use. Begin with oval shaped cabs and work toward freeform styles. Work at your own pace to create lots of beautiful cabochons in this class. Be inspired by our great selection of rough material, much of it donated by our generous instructors, including locally-sourced pieces along with exotic choices. You’ll love the magical transformation the stones go through. No experience required. Repeat students welcome. Materials included in the fee and you keep your creations! The class will run with just two students, so find a friend and sign up and you'll be sure it'll GO!
Class open to ages 14 through adult.
Watch this fun short video made in Sawtooth's studio by Lapidary instructor Charles Whicker. You'll see a cabochon made from start to finish!
Sawtooth thanks the Forsyth Gem and Mineral Club for their establishment of a scholarship to support students wishing to attend courses in lapidary arts at Sawtooth. The Forsyth Gem and Mineral Club (Paul Burton and Dick Hartz) Lapidary Arts Scholarship is available annually. Interested students should apply using the online form here.
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Charles Whicker
Mr. Whicker became interested in minerals and gem stones as a young teenager. He was fortunate to visit some famous North Carolina collecting sites, such as the Adams Farm in Hiddenite, and the Crabtree and Wiseman Mines near Spruce Pine in the late 60’s. He acquired his first cabbing machine in 1970. After 35 years in the construction and surveying industries, Mr. Whicker retired in 2013. Since then he has devoted much of his time to mineral collecting and lapidary work. He is the current vice president of the Forsyth Gem and Mineral Club in Winston Salem and a member of the M.A.G.M.A. club in Asheville. He very much enjoys sharing his knowledge of the lapidary arts with the students of Sawtooth.