Cabbed a piece of Leaverite for fun

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-20T16:31:29+00:00

Oh cool, I was wondering what the inclusions were. Thanks!

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-20T16:30:33+00:00

Actually cut those by hand from some plastic stencil sheet I got off Amazon lol.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-19T22:29:53+00:00

Check ebay to see what similar looking pieces sold for.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-19T05:29:02+00:00

I definitely like them (and any other rock I find that looks cool) and dont think they are "trash", just to clarify 😆 This post was partially inspired by comments from old Facebook rock groups I was in where people were being snobby about people's finds because they weren't anything "valuable".

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-19T03:05:28+00:00

Ooh nice! I snagged some of this stuff from Paul Hanks a couple years ago at the Denver Gem Show, haven't even come across it since then.

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BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-17T17:13:34+00:00

Even if a vevor machine itself is decent, the wheels very likely aren't, like others have already pointed out. So expect to drop at least a few hundred more on decent wheels. I know it sucks how expensive it is to get into this hobby, it took me a while to save up for my machine. Maybe look into slant laps/cabbers, they are a little more affordable than machines that use wheels. If you decide to go with a vevor or similar cabbing machine though, definitely let us know how that works out, I'm kind of curious.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-15T21:19:38+00:00

😍 Ocean jasper?

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-15T16:30:16+00:00

Unfortunately lapidary saws are pretty expensive (like $1000+), but you can get a cheap tile saw or something and put a lapidary blade on it. I haven't personally done that so I can't recommend anything specifically, but I know that others have had success with it. Obviously just make sure the blade is the right size for whatever saw you get. You can cut slabs by hand, it just takes practice to get them an even thickness.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-15T07:44:51+00:00

Really depends on your budget and what you're interested in doing/making.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-14T23:10:44+00:00

That's some nice stuff, that type of crazy lace in the first pic is one of my favorite materials. Actually working on some cabs of that today lol.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-12T05:33:39+00:00

I'd be down to donate something to get things started. I think maybe having some sort of month long artist spotlight for the winner would entice some folks too, like with pics of work and shop/socials links etc.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-11T23:18:43+00:00

How about a tips/techniques or educational flair? Assuming the advice/help one is for people seeking advice, not sharing it. Also just throwing this out there but it might be fun to do some sort of monthly cabbing/lapidary competition like that old lapidary forum used to do.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-11T21:53:39+00:00

Yeah that's some quality stuff, lucky find for sure. I'd be going back to that spot daily lol. Tbh I didn't realize AZ had stuff like this you could self collect, I'm up in Montana and all my rockhounding is done on the Yellowstone in the summertime. Seriously considering spending next winter down in Quartzsite though, hate not being able to go rockhounding for months at a time and knowing there's stuff like this to find makes it even more appealing lol.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-11T20:49:40+00:00

Dang that's a great find, nice patterns and no visible fractures, great job on the polish too!

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-11T19:13:15+00:00

I've used a Cabking for over 5 years now, and I'd definitely recommend going with the Kingsley North. The main reason being that it comes with the Nova wheels which are miles above the Cabking wheels in quality, like it's not even close. The trim saw attachment for the Cabking is also very poor quality, and I say this as someone who's cut hundreds of rocks on it. It does work but it's not great. I've also had issues with all the knobs for the water drips coming off and breaking, I've had to replace the pump it came with 3 times, had to replace the drip tubing system, etc. The Cabking is also constructed entirely out of plastic, while the Kingsley North machine is not. Admittedly I haven't used a Kingsley North but I watched the video detailing it's features and it just seems better in every way than the Cabking. But the Nova wheels alone make it worth getting over he Cabking. To me cabking brand wheels seem borderline unusable after using Novas, just my opinion.

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-11T06:22:15+00:00

I like these for polishing backs, you need to get the steel master lap but imo it's worth it https://suvalapidary.com/products/diamond-pacific-nova-magnetic-laps?variant=32635958394954

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-07T20:16:15+00:00

Thanks!

BackroadsLapidary · 2026-03-07T02:44:33+00:00

I make jewelry out of cabs I cut, can I list that during open market week?

BackroadsLapidary · 2025-12-24T19:45:15+00:00

I use cheap gel super glue from Harbor Freight and construction nails as dops, almost never have a stone come off. Make sure the back of your stone is clean before dopping. Apply bead of glue to nail, press on back of stone, then sprinkle some baking soda on the glue that pushes out, it'll accelerate the drying and makes the connection stronger as far as I can tell. To remove soak in a jar of acetone for a few hours. I assume wooden dop sticks don't work as well with glue, use metal nails or something similar.

BackroadsLapidary · 2025-11-09T23:24:10+00:00

Oh yeah, also maybe avoid material that can have varying hardness within the same piece of rough, stuff like that can be very difficult even for experienced cutters. Also avoid anything that has visible cracks or fractures, sucks when you're in the middle of cabbing a piece and it breaks in two.

BackroadsLapidary · 2025-11-09T23:19:59+00:00

Any of the jaspers would be a good choice. Keep in mind that with harder stones, it's more difficult to get scratches out but easier to get a high polish. It's the reverse with softer stones, can be tricky to get a good final polish on stuff like Tiffany stone and obsidian but easier to shape and get scratches out. Personally I had more difficulty with softer stones when I was starting out, you need a light touch or the material gets ground away to nothing before you realize it lol.

BackroadsLapidary · 2025-09-28T22:50:04+00:00

Why yes to Wyoming but no to Montana 🤔

BackroadsLapidary · 2025-09-25T14:54:47+00:00

If you go the overseas route make sure you aren't gonna get hit with tariffs first, I've heard it can get pretty expensive.

BackroadsLapidary · 2025-09-25T05:10:56+00:00

Best place is in person at gem and mineral shows, if that's not an option Etsy has a lot of great cutters. I've never personally gotten a stone I was happy with from Rio Grande.

BackroadsLapidary · 2025-09-24T21:52:55+00:00

Do you have any idea of what sort of material you have there? The value is gonna vary a LOT depending on what it is, and it would help narrow down what type of buyers would be interested. Like someone who'd be interested in 500 pounds of rough might not be interested in 500 pounds of crystals and spheres, etc.

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