How to Make Jewelry With Clear Cabochons

Clear cabochons have a simple yet elegant flair that makes them an attractive addition to homemade jewelry. Unlike faceted gems, clear cabochons distort light without reflecting it, making the gems look as if they're glowing. These gems have their drawbacks, though. The transparent nature of the gems makes it possible to see even the smallest imperfections. Handle the gems carefully when you turn them into jewelry or you may ruin several cabochons beyond repair.

Things You'll Need

• Vice clamp
• Soft material
• Drill bit
• Drill
• Soft cloth
• Elastic cord
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cover both sides of a vice clamp with soft material. The vice clamp will hold the cabochons while you work with them, so the cloth is important to prevent the vice from scarring the cabochon.

2. Stick the first cabochon into the vice clamp and tighten down the sides. The clamp should hold the cabochon tightly without crushing it between the sides of the vice.

3. Install a small drill bit (small enough to make a hole in the cabochon without breaking through the sides, but large enough to accommodate an elastic jewelry cord). Tighten the drill until the bit cannot fall out.

4. Power up the drill and slowly drive it through the side of the clear cabochon. Move slowly and don't jerk the drill or your error will be visible to the naked eye through the transparent surface of the cabochon. Pull the cabochon out of the vice once you finish the hole. Continue drilling cabochons until you have enough for your jewelry.

5. Polish the cabochons with a soft cloth to make them shine. This also gives you the chance to clean off any gem shavings left over from the drilling.

6. Cut an elastic cord to the length you want for your piece of jewelry. Thread the elastic cord through the newly drilled holes in the cabochons. Once you get all the cabochons on the cord, tie the ends of the elastic cord into a double knot.