Beginner’s Guide: How to Choose Your First Cabochon with Confidence

Stepping Into the Craft

Starting your jewelry-making journey is exciting — but it can also feel overwhelming. With so many stones, tools, and techniques, it’s easy to wonder where to begin. 

You may have a million ideas firing in your head, and honestly, it’s not just about making jewelry, it’s about discovering a craft, building skills, and finding a new way to express yourself. That’s what makes it such a rewarding path!

This guide is here to help you choose your first cabochon and take that first step with confidence. By the end, you’ll feel more equipped to make an informed choice about your first cabochon and inspired to embrace the beginning of a creative journey.

Let’s find the cabochon that speaks to your creativity — and makes you feel confident to create!

Cabochons 101: A Maker’s Best Friend

So, what exactly is a cabochon?
A cabochon (pronounced kab-uh-shon) is a gemstone shaped and polished into a smooth, rounded dome — instead of being faceted like a diamond. Most have a flat back and a curved top, making them perfect for settings like bezel work, wire wrapping, or inlay.

Why makers love cabochons:

For silversmiths and other metalsmiths, cabochons are a favourite for good reason.

●     Their flat backs and domed tops make them straightforward to set in a bezel

●     Many semi-precious cabochons are affordable; they’re ideal for practicing new techniques without breaking the bank.

●     Each one is unique, like a fingerprint — perfect for one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

Cabochons are one of the most beginner-friendly materials you can work with, but if you ask me, what makes them special is more than just shape: every cabochon is unique. They remind us of people — each with its own story, energy, and imperfect beauty.

 

“A cabochon isn’t just something you buy. It’s something you bond with. As a creator it speaks about your passion, it becomes part of your creative legacy. As someone who wears it, it tells a story about what you care and love. For both, it is a piece of self expression and freedom."  - Rosa

 

 

3 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Your First Cabochon

Choosing your first cabochon shouldn’t feel intimidating — it should feel exciting! I have been supplying jewellers with top-quality cabochons for 10 years now, and along this journey  I’ve learned a lot, including this three key factors to supporting beginners to feel more confident and set them up for success:

1) Shape & Size

Cabochons come in a variety of shapes: rounds, ovals, teardrops, freeform and much more. Here’s what I recommend for beginners:

• Start with a rounded shape: Ovals or rounds or rounded teardrops are great because they’re much easier to bezel set, versatile and easier to wrap or set.

As a rule of thumb, rounded corners will be your best friends as a beginner. Trust me, you don’t want to bezel corners just yet.

It's just a matter of time and practice. Once you master the basics of bezel setting on rounded edges, you can move on to more advanced projects, bezelling corners, points, and various angles.

 

• Medium size is easiest: Not too tiny or too big — think around 20–40mm — so you can practice without fuss.

 

 

Check the back: A flat back sits securely in most settings. A cabochon with an un-flat back will create a headache as it will wobble and not allow you to bezel-set properly.

✨ Pro Tip: When in doubt, look for clear photos that show the stone next to something for scale — like a ruler, a coin, or even better, a clear description including the rock dimensions, so you know exactly what you’re getting. Knowing the exact measurements can help you imagine the size with your own ruler.

 

2) Quality & Sourcing

Not all cabochons are created equal. Here’s what to look for:

• Cracks vs. Inclusions: Inclusions or small natural patterns are normal; they add character. But deep cracks or chips are not acceptable; they weaken the stone. Nothing’s worse than finishing your bezel only to see your stone break after hours of work.

At New Stone Age Cabochons, we focus on high-quality cabs. We want your creations to last and shine for years.

We get it, sometimes stones break, even when cut well — especially when you’re learning. That’s why we stand behind every stone we sell.

 

Our guarantee: If your cabochon breaks while bezel setting, send us a photo of the stone and bezel, and we’ll give you credit toward a new one.

Because this isn’t just about selling stones — it’s about supporting your creative journey

✨ Pro Tip: When shopping for cabochons, always look for clear photos from a trusted seller. real photos (not just polished stock images). Seeing multiple angles helps you appreciate the stone’s depth, shine, and the unique inclusions that make it one of a kind. Understanding the size will help you understand what project it will be appropriate for.

 

3) Authenticity:

• Is this cabochon real and natural, or has it been reconstituted?
• Dyed, heat-treated?
• Or what if one material is being sold as something that it’s not?

I know! There can be so many doubts when trying to choose your cabs. This is why buying from a trusted source, especially as a beginner, is so important; you don’t want to be taken advantage of or disappoint your customers.

Nowadays, more and more jewelry buyers care about authenticity. When they see a natural stone in a piece, they want to know where the material comes from, and beyond quality, they want the true story.

That’s why at New Stone Age Cabochons, we are proud to say every stone comes from small-batch lapidary families we know personally. They’re cut with care, traded fairly, and we ensure that there is no exploitation in the cutting process. 

Pictures of one of our first visits to Sandra and her family of amazing lapidary artists in Southern Mexico, who have been mining and hand-cutting stones for generations.

 

Small-batch cutting makes each piece unique — and gives your customers a reason to connect more deeply with your creations, adding meaning and value to your finished piece. It’s not just jewelry anymore, it’s a story you can feel proud of. 

With natural stones, perfection isn’t the goal. Many silversmiths actually love stones with tiny inclusions and unconventional colour shifts. surface quirks. These details give your piece personality and make it truly extraordinary.

 

Beginner Pitfalls to Avoid when buying cabochons

Every maker learns by trial and error — give yourself grace and patience. That said, some common mistakes can be avoided and help you save time, money, and frustration:

Pitfall 1: Buying Only on Price

Cheaper is rarely better. Unusually low-cost cabochons sometimes mean cracks, poor polish, or even fake stones.Some sellers will even ship stones that don’t match the listing.

Focus on quality and trust. Look closely at photos, customer reviews, and buy from sellers who stand behind their stones. 

 

From selling cabochons at gem shows and Instagram, today, New Stone Age Cabochons has evolved into a strong small business that fosters a community of thousands of silversmiths, jewellers and creators.

At New Stone Age Cabochons, what you see is what you get — we build long-term relationships, not quick sales, and that’s why we exist over 3 core pillars:

1- We want to supply artists and jewellery makers with stones for years and years to come!

2- We’re committed to supporting our lapidary artists to keep creating for even more generations. Click here to learn more about Our Story

3- We will always adapt to our customers' needs. We want to hear from every customer so that our service and product continue to meet and exceed expectations. By the way, if you’re already a customer, share your review here!

Pitfall 2: Choosing Stones That Are Too Small (or Too Big)

Tiny stones look tempting, but are much harder to bezel when you’re learning. On the other hand, oversized stones can feel clunky in rings or earrings.

Start with medium cabochons (18–25mm) — big enough to practice bezeling, small enough to wear comfortably.

Cabochons come in all kind of shapes and sizes to unleash your creativity, yet, a mindful choice can save you headaches, especially as a beginner silversmith.

 

Pitfall 3: Jumping Into Soft Stones Too Early

When you’re still learning bezel setting, it’s easy to apply too much force and crack them. Although turquoise, amber, and opal are beautiful, they’re also fragile.

Instead, begin with hard, durable stones like agates, jaspers, or quartz. Don’t rush. Once you’ve mastered your technique, you can graduate to more delicate materials.

Agate and Jasper are beautiful and beginner-friendly cabochons materials

Pitfall 4: Forgetting to Check Dome Height

Cabochons come in low domes, high domes, and everything in between. Here’s what you need to remember:

• Too low → stone can disappear into the bezel.
  
• Too high → tricky to secure, especially for beginners.

 

These Carnelian agate and quartz silica cabochons  are beautiful but challenging, high-domed stones, recommended for advanced silversmiths

By contrast, these stunning Aquamarine and Blue Opal cabs have the perfect height, for a beginner who has just started exploring their abilities and creativity

 

As a beginner, go for medium and regular-shaped domes, at least until you feel confident shaping bezels around different heights. As your abilities improve, you can start experimenting and having some fun with thicker and even lopsided stones.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cabochons

How do I care for my cabochons?

• Store them separately so they don’t rub or scratch each other.
• Set and keep labels attached (stone name + price) — this makes future pricing and inventory much easier.
• Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off fingerprints or dust.
• Be mindful: some stones are sensitive to sudden temperature changes 

How do I know if a stone is real?

• Each mineral has its own tests, but for beginners, the safest bet is: buy from trusted sellers.
• A price that feels “too good to be true” often is — it could mean a fake stone or one that wasn’t ethically sourced or cut.
  
  

At NSAC, every cabochon is authentic, fair-trade, and directly sourced from lapidary families we know. We have been in business for 10 years and can guarantee our stones.

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Want to know more? You can contact me directly at nsacabochons@gmail.com. I am more than happy to answer all your questions and guide you on the exciting world of all things cabochons!

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The Silversmith Community: A Craft, A Family

One of the most amazing parts of becoming a silversmith isn’t just what you make — it’s the community you join.

I’ve had the honour of supporting and personally knowing hundreds of silversmiths, and it’s truly inspiring to be part of such a genuine network of makers united by a shared love of craft, creativity, and learning.

This is a community that thrives on collaboration over competition. A great example of this is the Metalsmith Society —which I highly recommend, as they offer amazing resources for learning while meeting many other incredible makers — or as I like to call them, Rockstars 

Every time I chat with a rockstar or look at the comments in our social post, I see them openly sharing tips, celebrating each other’s wins, and lifting each other up through every stage of the journey.

At New Stone Age Cabochons, we believe in that same spirit. Our mission is to provide meaningful stones that inspire, while supporting this growing community of Rockstars to craft one-of-a-kind jewelry — honouring the hands and hearts behind every stone.

 

Ready to Select Your First Set of Cabochons?

I’m always excited to welcome new creators — silversmiths, wire wrappers, collectors, jewellers, and artisans who decide to explore their creative soul and discover the joy of crafting. I hope this guide was helpful and empowered you to choose your first cabochons with confidence.

Additionally, to facilitate your decision-making, I’ve put together a special, beginner-friendly bundle to kickstart your jewelry-making journey today!

Discover the Beginner’s Mystery Mix—a handpicked selection of beautiful, ethically cut cabochons. Durable, beginner-friendly, and perfect for creating jewelry you’ll feel proud of.

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Credits:

Thank you to the incredible artists who created with our stones and allowed me to feature their beautiful work in this guide: @dalyceameliadesings ; @kathrynskinnerdesign  ;@elan.silver ; @ooakartists