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Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons

by Judy Larson
Bone and shell can be cut and carved into cabochons and other jewelry making components. Using them and other organic pieces in your jewelry creations can add a natural beauty not achieved with the use of stone.

Since bone used by artisans for carving is generally quite thick and dense, greater detail can be achieved. The detail then stands out more. If greater highlighting is desired, because bone is porous, it can be easily dyed.
Instructions
Since bone used by artisans for carving is generally quite thick and dense, greater detail can be achieved. The detail then stands out more. If greater highlighting is desired, because bone is porous, it can be easily dyed.
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , carved bone
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , carved bone
Cameos carved from shell in Italy are well known. Since cameos are a jewelry mainstay, generations of women have owned them and passed them down. I own three that belonged to my Mother and Grandmother.
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , cameos
Other materials can be inlaid into bone and shell. Other materials can be inlaid with bone and shell. It takes a skilled artisan to inlay the tiny pieces into the bone earrings in the first photo. The curvature of shells can make cutting and fitting small pieces together a difficult process. It requires gluing small pieces to a solid shell backing to stabilize the end product.
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , bone and shell
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , shell
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , shell
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , shell inlay
Beautiful colors can be achieved when dying shell. The color does not, however, penetrate much past the surface of the shell.
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , dyed shell
Since many shells that are carved into moon face cabochons are thin, there is not much depth to the carving, making it harder to see the face detail. I was not concerned with this for the Holiday Woodland Fairy Ornaments because the patinated embellishments around the faces highlighted them.
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , carved bone
I was, however, concerned that the face would not show up enough on the finished Bali Inspired Headdress pendant so decided to darken it.

Use a q-tip to cover the cabochon with dark walnut oil-based stain. Let it sit for half an hour or so. The stain will not really penetrate the surface, but that half hour will give the stain in the crevices a chance to set a bit. Use a paper towel to wipe away the excess stain. The hard part is waiting several days (up to a week) for the stain to set up and not move around when working with the cabochon. Don't use soap and water to clean the piece for several months. By then, the stain will be relatively stable. If the cabochon had been bone, it would have been very easy to stain and use immediately. The stain in the crevices would be permanent. Rub n Buff and Guilders Wax could also be used to highlight the facial features.
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , dyeing bone
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , dyeing bone
Judy Larson's Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons - , General Education, , dyeing bone

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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): General Education

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