Cabochon Templates
Cabochon templates help you plan consistent, repeatable stone shapes before you start cutting, grinding, and polishing. Whether you are laying out an oval, teardrop, freeform, or custom design, templates make it easier to trace, compare sizes, and keep your cabochons symmetrical—especially when you are trying to match pairs for earrings or build a set for a pendant series.
In lapidary work, small layout errors can turn into bigger shaping problems later. Using templates early in the process can reduce wasted material, improve fit with bezels and settings, and speed up your workflow when you are producing multiple cabs in similar sizes. Many makers keep a few common template sets on hand for quick planning, then switch to specialty shapes for one-off designs.
If you are new to cabbing, start with the most common shapes and sizes you expect to cut, then expand your template collection as your style develops. For experienced cutters, templates are a practical way to standardize results, confirm dimensions, and prepare rough before moving to the wheels.
Tip: Trace your outline with a fine-point marker, leave a small margin for grinding, and re-check the shape against the template after your first shaping pass to keep both sides balanced.
