A new obsession

Welp, I’ve done it. I’ve started lapidary work. Cabbing to be specific. For the longest time I refused to sit down at the machines, not because I wasn’t interested, in fact it’s the complete opposite - I’m soooo fascinated to read a rough rock and figure out what might materialize from it in a finished piece and then try to bring it out.

I’ve hounded Odie for so many hours “why are you cutting that rock there?”, “how are you getting that in the saw?”, “why did you choose that particular section to cab?” Ad nauseam. He’s been so patient

Kingman Mine, AZ turquoise cab by Suzanne August, 2025

The reason I didn’t want to start lapidary work, was because I knew, with full certainty, it would become my next obsession. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad I was correct. “Can I cut that?!” has been said so many times recently - Ilana is hiding agates from me. 😉

A couple of months ago, we set up a trim saw and cabbing machine in the back yard for a friend who was visiting.

Lace agate from Mexico cab by Suzanne Morrison June 2025

Right. Outside. The. Back. Door.

Sigh. No longer able to resist temptation - I plopped down in front of that machine and started playing around.

It’s now my happy place.

Tyrone Mine, NM turquoise cab, by Suzanne Morrison August 2025

I believe I’m improving with each one - the girdles are more consistent, the dome symmetrical, no significant remaining scratches, choosing the best of the slab to cut (though that’s still tough, I’m still getting it down).