Measuring the Circumference of Cabochons

by Jennifer Brooks
Getting a stable fit for our cabochon settings, be they wire or solder, is incredibly important for the safety and security of the stones. There are many ways to achieve this measurement, but we often don't have the right tools. Here is a simple hack to find the outside edge measurement for your cabochons I learned a few years ago that has saved me from fumbling around with tape measures,
Instructions
Cut a long length of masking or painter's tape (or whatever you might have on hand) from the spool.
Jennifer Brooks's Measuring the Circumference of Cabochons - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, measuring circumference of Cabochons
Cut the tape in half, long-ways, if needed. You can set the other piece aside or add it back to the top layer of the spool for later use.
Wrap the piece of tape around the edge of the cabochon, overlapping the ends.
Jennifer Brooks's Measuring the Circumference of Cabochons - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, measuring circumference of cabochons
Cut the tape in the center of the overlapped section. Try to keep the cut as straight as possible to get the most accurate measurements.
Jennifer Brooks's Measuring the Circumference of Cabochons - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, measuring circumference of cabochons
Lay the tape over your measuring tool - be that a cutting mat, ruler, or tape measure - and VOILA!! Now you know exactly how long the outermost measurement around the edge of the stone is.
From here, if I'm doing a wire wrapped bail, I will add up to 4 inches to the length of the tape so I have enough material to create the bail as part of the base frame.
Jennifer Brooks's Measuring the Circumference of Cabochons - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, measuring circumference of cabochons

Materials

40X30mm Oval Gemstone Cabochon Mix - Pack of 10
E1-900
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $25.97
  • Gold Club Price: $19.48
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Tools

12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler
G7-30
  • G7-30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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  • Category: Design
  • Technique(s): Design