How to Polish the Back of a Cabochon

Cabochons are used for a variety of beading craft centerpieces.

Cabochons used in the production of bead jewelry are usually left unpolished, with a rough side on the back to either obscure whatever is behind the cabochon (if it is clear) or to save money if the cabochon is solid. You can easily polish cabochons by using progressively finer grit of emery paper placed on a flat surface. You will, however, have to use a polishing paste at the end of the process to bring out the kind of shine that is on the front of the cabochon, as well.

Things You'll Need

• Emery paper with grit between 400 and 3,000
• Polishing paste
• Clean rags

Instructions

1. Lay the heaviest-grit emery paper you have on a flat, level surface, and hold it down with one hand.

2. Rub the back of the cabochon across the emery paper with your other hand until the back of the cabochon has been smoothed to the fineness of the emery paper you are using.

3. Exchange the emery paper after finishing each stage of the polishing with a progressively finer grit of paper until you have finished polishing with the 3,000-grit emery paper.

4. Apply some polishing paste to the clean rag, and then rub the back of the cabochon that you have polished with the emery paper until it has reached the luster you desire. When complete, wipe any remaining polishing paste from the cabochon to inspect your handiwork.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid attempting to polish cabochons with backs that will be hidden within your jewelry project, anyway.

References

• "Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads"; Kim Gover; 2009
• "Beading with Cabochons: Simple Techniques for Beautiful Jewelry"; Jamie Eakin; 2005
• "Cabochon Cutting"; Jack Cox; 1986