Up Close - Step 2

This is an up close shot of the turquoise cab at 100 grit and 3000 grits.    Basically, you are just making the scratches on the surface smaller and smaller.

Step 2 - the Cabochon

Now that I have a rough shape on the 100 grit wheel, it's time to start doming it.  Sometimes the stone is harder (like all agate and most everything I find), I might need an 80 or 60 grit.  And for soft material, 220 grit or even 400.  It just depends. 

Then I just check to make sure I've got no flat spots and begin polishing.

You can see the difference between 100 and 400 grit.  This last picture is 3000 grit and pretty much I'm finished with this.

It's a little more difficult to see the progress at this point, but trust me, it's there.  And that's a finished cab, all ready to be made into something fabulous!