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Cell phone photography trick that makes you look like a professional product photographer.

Cell phone photography trick that makes you look like a professional product photographer.

Hey guys, have you ever felt like you can’t take great photos because you don’t have an expensive camera?

I am here to tell you you can take awesome photos with something you already have.

Any guesses?

It’s your moble phone.

Mobile phones today are some of the most powerful devices we carry around with us every day.

The cameras on these phones are far superior to the expensive cameras of the past.

The best part is you don’t have to buy extra lenses that can cost you thousands of dollars.

In this video, I walk through how to use your phone camera to take amazing product photography.

Success is all in the lighting, the distance you shoot from the subject and a small bit of editing.

I am able to photograph multiple items in minutes instead of hours.

Check it out! It will save you a bunch of time and make all your photos better.

Here is my affiliate link to the iPhone 11 https://amzn.to/3k8DHX7

By following this link you help to support the website at no extra cost to you.

This helps support me in producing new and useful content to you for free.

All the best, Michael Seiler

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How to remove your stone from a dop stick. Lapidary 101

Lapidary dop pot

How to remove your stone from a dop stick is often an overlooked technique when most people start learning lapidary work.

Learning this simple technique will spare you frustration in removing your stone from the dop stick.

cabochon on a dop stick for lapidary work
cabochon on a dop stick for lapidary work

When you cabochon-cut stones, you will use a dop stick to hold the stone.

This dop stick behaves like a handle making it easy for the stone cutter and polisher to hold the stone at proper angles.

How do you remove the stone without covering it in wax?

This video answers that question!

You need a dop pot if you are going to do lapidary work. Work smarter not harder.

Here is my affiliate link to the one I use https://amzn.to/3fgJbM8

Dop Pot Link
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Let’s get stoned dude! 5 Top picks – jasper slabs for cabochons!

Moroccan Seam Jasper Agate lapidary slab

No, it’s not what you think.

5 Top picks – jasper slabs for cabochons!

We are getting stoned in the lapidary sense with jasper, agate, dinosaur bone, or whatever else pops up.

I am always on the lookout for new and cool stones to make cabochons. I look on Ebay, Amazon, Dealers, and any other source that may come up.

This is my list for you to check out on Ebay.

Get them before they are gone!

Just click on the picture and check them out.

rainforest jasper slab
rainforest jasper slab

#1

My first find is this sweet slab of rainforest jasper on Ebay. The concentrated patterning and color variations are beautiful.

Chinese Flower Stone Sagenitic Fluorite Slab Lapidary Rough
Chinese Flower Stone Sagenitic Fluorite Slab Lapidary Rough

#2

Second find is Chinese Flower Stone Sagenitic Fluorite Slab. This is going to be a soft stone. So take your time cutting and polishing it. Don’t use too much pressure and you can use Zam metal polish to give it a great shine.

Bloody Basin Agate Slab Lapidary Rough
Bloody Basin Agate Slab Lapidary Rough

#3

Number three is Bloody Basin Agate Slab Lapidary Rough. This is a really nice slab! It’s like looking at the sun. This is a hard stone and will produce a terrific polish.

Moroccan Seam Jasper Agate lapidary slab

#4

Number 4 Moroccan Seam Jasper Agate lapidary slab. Well, do I need to explain this thing is on fire? Just pick a spot and make a cabochon. I don’t think you can go wrong.

Extra Dark Purple Lepidolite Lapidary Slab Rough Crystal Cabbing Specimen

#5

Okay, this is the last one! Extra Dark Purple Lepidolite Lapidary Slab Rough Crystal Cabbing Specimen. I just loved the purple color in contrast with the white cream color.

I hope you enjoyed these stones. I can’t buy everything but I sure might try.

We are a participant in the Ebay Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn a small percentage by linking to Ebay.com and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you. 🙂

By following the links you help us grow this website to bring you more great information.

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Lapidary 101 – How to use a slab saw to cut your rough jaspers, agates, and more.

Slab Saw Guy - How to use a slab saw

In this video, I will go over “Lapidary 101 – How to use a slab saw to cut your rough jaspers, agates, and more.”

If you are cutting jaspers, agates, dinosaur bone, or any other types of stones to make cabochons then you are going to run into this problem.

How do you cut larger stones into smaller pieces so that they are ready to be cut into cabochons?

Well, you are going to need a slab saw to cut them down to a manageable size.

I didn’t have a slab saw for years.

I would find beautiful stones but had no way to work with them.

So, I always think about them like the ones that got away.

Continue reading Lapidary 101 – How to use a slab saw to cut your rough jaspers, agates, and more.
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How to make a cabochon – Lapidary 101

kaleidoscope agate / jasper cabochon

How to make a cabochon – Lapidary 101

Cabochon cut stones are very popular in the world of jewelry.

It is a great way to show off the beauty in agates, Jaspers, and other gemstones.

In this video, I show you how to cut and polish a piece of jasper/agate.

I start with an 80 grit wheel and work the stone until I reach the 3000 grit wheel and then I will polish the stone.

I am cutting with a Cabking machine which is available on our website https://gotcharocks.com/cabking-lapid

Lapidary 101 – How to make a cabochon cut gemstone.

Here is an affiliate link to the Cabking machine. https://amzn.to/3dcmHuh

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How to fill in the cracks in cabochon cut stones when doing lapidary work

Gemstones

This video is about how I have been using starboard adhesive with my lapidary work TO FILL IN CRACKS IN STONES. “Lapidary” meaning stone cutting and shaping. I am getting some really amazing results.

I have been using Starbond “BLACK MEDIUM THICK” to make opal doublets. As well as the Starboard adhesive “THIN” to stabilize stones. In this video, I go over the lapidary work I have been working on over the past week or so. If you have any questions just leave me a comment.

Here’s the information and my affiliate link to the Starbond adhesive. By using this link I will earn a small percentage at no extra cost to you.

In fact, you will save 10% when you use my coupon code. “gotcharocks”

https://www.starbond.com?rfsn=2506439.e32dfe

Coupon code for 10% off – gotcharocks

If you are interested in a Cabking lapidary machine I can’t recommend them enough.

Cabking Machine affiliate – https://amzn.to/3eDlZI1

All the best, Michael

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Lapidary – How to combine gemstones and make opal doublets using Starbond adhesive.

Lapidary

Hello everyone, 

This video is about how I have been using starbond adhesive with my lapidary work. 

“Lapidary” meaning stone cutting and shaping. I am getting some really amazing results. 

I am throwing out the rule book on traditional lapidary work and I am combining different types of jaspers agate and dinosaur bone to make something very interesting. 

I have been using Starbond “black medium thick” to make opal doublets. As well as the Starboard adhesive thin to stabilize stones. In this video I go over the lapidary work I have been working on over the past week or so. 

Enjoy the video. 🙂

Here is the information and my affiliate link to the Starbond adhesive. 

https://www.starbond.com?rfsn=2506439.e32dfe

By using this link I will earn a small percentage at no extra cost to you. 

In fact you will save 10% when you uses my coupon code. “gotcharocks”

If you are interested in a Cabking I can’t recommend them enough. In fact I liked them so much I became a dealer. Here is my link if you want to check them out. 

CABKING LAPIDARY MACHINE

If you have any question just leave me a comment. 

All the best, Michael

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How to set a gemstone in V prongs

How to set gemstones in prongs

This video is about how to set an amethyst in V prongs. This is a great way to set gemstones in pendants, rings and earrings. Prong setting V prongs can be challenging but if you focus on just one part of the mounting at a time it can be a little less challenging. In this video I quickly walk through how to set this stone in three V prongs. It does take a bit of patience. So take your time and make sure you have a nice well fitting seat for the stone.

All the best, Michael Seiler

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Free video! How to bezel and channel set gemstones!

bezel and channel setting gemstones

Hello everyone!

I made this video to show you how to bezel and channel set gemstones in a ring. This video goes over all the steps you will need to get the stone setting job done right.

There are a few tools you may need to get in order to start this project. I’ll also help you understand what specific tools can increase your productivity.

I would suggest taking a few notes while you are watching the video.

Even better, subscribe to the channel so you know where to find it if you need a refresher.

Click read more to see the video

Continue reading Free video! How to bezel and channel set gemstones!
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Great Book! Professional Jewelry Making. Feed A Cat.

Cat in a sink at the vet

I found this book on amazon and thought you might be interested in checking it out. Professional Jewelry Making by Alan Revere, Tim McCreight, George McLean and Emiko oye.

I was looking around on Amazon for new and used tools as I often do and I found this book. It’s a good one!

Normally it can cost you around a $100 bucks but it looks like they have a few copies for around $50 bucks. I also noticed there is a digital book as well for $9.99. I haven’t bought the digital book however the reviews look good. This may be a way to get this book if you are on a budget.

Professional Jewelry Making is a must have for any metalsmith. It was put together by the leading purveyors of the craft in the parlance of our times. This book runs through almost everything you need to know with fantastic technical illustrations. Anyway, it’s a great book. I highly recommend it.

Get the deals while they last, strike while the iron is hot, a bird in the hand is better than one in the bush and what the heck one more, don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Okay the last one didn’t really fit. 🙂

Here is a link to my affiliate products. THE BOOK If you so choose to follow this link I will earn a small commission that helps me to keep this site up and running, make videos and lots of other stuff. You will also help to feed this cat.

professional jewelry making
professional jewelry making