03/08/2026
One of the hardest things for a lapidary is to intentionally drop a slab. It's really the better way, when you feel there are unhealed fractures that will not stand up to the cutting process. And, since in most cases the fracture lines are angled(as you see here), cracking the slab is really the better way to get your best results at a clean cabochon. I've cut too many cabs and seen them break during the polishing stages to think I can tell when the fractures are healed(solid rock) and not. Still, it's always hard to do the drop test!
