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Are you going throught all the inactive members and sending them PM's?

Thank you very much!

done

Will you please sticky the resource thread I just made in Strategy.

It seems like I don't have moderator permissions there.

I studied Geology for 2 years in college.
I never got my degree in it.

oh didn't you study Geology or am I wrong?

Yes you can use any rock but some work better than others and some are more attractive than others but "attractive" is very subjective.

I've been interested in rocks since I can remember 4 or 5 years old I think.
I started learning lapidary from a family friend when I was 10.
We moved away and it got put on hold.

After I started working I gradually set up my own shop and was able to spend a little time in it...
I haven't done as much as I wanted the last few years for a variety of excuses.

I met a man at a show about 4 years ago who had designed an new cabbing unit.
I really liked the machine we became friends.

I'm going to help him at the show.

so I could use just any rock?
how did you get into rock shows?

Next week I'm helping with a booth in a very large rock show.

To make a cabochon:

Find a pretty or interesting rock.
Cut it into slices about 6 mm thick.
In developed countries this is done with a diamond sawblade.

Cut or grind away all the parts you don't want.
Most of the time you dome the top.
Sand away any sawing or grinding marks.
Polish.

Most opals are cabochons.

how exactly do you make those cabochons?
what's next week?

I'm okay, I actually sent out more emails concerning that date. I'm not sure yet but some time in February perhaps.