Cabochon Enhancement at The Bench, Michael Bateman

Cabochon Enhancement at The Bench, Michael Bateman

Class | Registration opens 12/2/2024 9:00 AM EST

2
7/6/2025-7/11/2025
View Schedule
$200.00
$21.00

Cabochon Enhancement at The Bench, Michael Bateman

Class | Registration opens 12/2/2024 9:00 AM EST

CABOCHON ENHANCEMENT - DOUBLETS, CARVING, METAL INLAY & SPARKLE

INSTRUCTOR: MICHAEL BATEMAN

 

Learn to make your cabochons pop! Students will learn several methods to enhance cabochons using a flex-shaft and common bench tools. First, we will make doublets of puau shell (abalone) on clear cabs. This material is absolutely stunning. Cab enhancements include basic “carving” and/or etching the backs and tops cabochons, and inlaying carvings with 23k gold leaf and fine silver. Students will also learn to drill cabochons to insert faceted stones or cabs (stone “in” stone). Instruction for tube setting faceted stones is also provided. Numerous variations on the above will be explored.

The focus of the class is to learn cool techniques over the first few days that can be employed over a wide range of jewelry media. As such, we only have a few “class” projects. Once the techniques are experienced, students can choose from dozens of example pieces that I will have on-site. I will provide step-by-step instructions on how to recreate any selected piece. Conversely, students are free to use their own creativity. Much of the class might be considered “open studio.”

All practice cabs, faceted stones, gold and silver leaf, silver tubing and puau shell sheet is provided as part of the class tools/supplies. You don’t need to bring any materials, but the following paragraph lists items you might want to bring if you have them handy.

If you have cabs that could use a little “bling,” please bring those. Hint: softer stones are easier to carve/drill (lapis, jade, labradorite, rhyolite, etc.). Also, if you have any fairly-clear cabs (rutilated quartz, light rose quartz, and streaked or clear quartz), these make wonderful pieces. I will have a few colors of faceted cubic zirconia, but if you have your own faceted gemstones, please bring those. We will be using 2.5, 4, and 5mm stones for tube setting in silver.

Learn methods to set your work apart with these unique enhancement techniques!

Tools can be provided by the school, but if you prefer your own, please bring:

Opti-visor or other magnification

Sharp Scissors

Fine tweezers

Fine flat file

Jeweler’s saw

For examples of my overall work please see: www.koigemsstudios.etsy.com

Please email with any questions: mbateman777@gmail.com

Class Fee: $150
Materials Fee: 0+
Prerequisites: Cabochons I or experience with cab machines is helpful. However, a steady hand and good eye for detailed work is required.

 

Bateman, Michael
Michael Bateman

Koi Gems jewelry artist Michael Bateman, is a longtime resident of Tallahassee, Florida, and began working in the lapidary arts in 1975. Since “retiring” in 2018, he has worked full-time in his jewelry studio. He received his training in silversmithing at Florida State University and the William Holland School for Lapidary Arts. He has taken in-person classes with Michael Boyd and Ryan Garder in Colorado, and has had the privilege of individual instruction from Kristin Anderson at her studio in Apalachicola, Florida.

Michael delights in sharing his knowledge related to making and improving cabochons, encouraging students to “push the envelope” regarding lapidary methods. Some of his work can be seen at his website koigemsstudios.etsy.com.