Source for non-domed resin cabochons?

[jeporter02]

Does anyone have a good source for resin (or other material that can be turned with hss tools) cabochons that are not half domed?

I'm looking for colored, circular, cabochons that I can inlay and then turn/sand down flush with the wood. I've got a good source for abalone shell cabochons, but everything else seems to be sold exclusively as half domes with flat bottoms.

I could just buy pen blanks and turn them down, but since I'm looking for several that are 3 MM in size, it seems like a waste of a lot of material to turn a pen blank into a couple dozen 3mm cabochons.

Thanks in advance for any leads!

Jay

 

[sorcerertd]

Have you considered making your own with polymer clay?

 

[jttheclockman]

I would very easily turn down whatever you want from pen blanks. Then you can cut to whatever size needed. yes there is waste but you get what you want and not what you have to settle for. beside a couple blanks is a few bucks or make your own and get some small tubes and pour what you want.

 

[jeporter02]

Have you considered making your own with polymer clay?

I'd like them to be more irridescent or translucent - along the lines of an acrylic with pearlescent powder. Something more gemstone-y. My understanding is that polymer clay would dry exclusively as a "flat" or solid color - no translucence. But admittedly I've not worked with polymer clay - am I missing something?

 

[jeporter02]

I would very easily turn down whatever you want from pen blanks. Then you can cut to whatever size needed. yes there is waste but you get what you want and not what you have to settle for. beside a couple blanks is a few bucks or make your own and get some small tubes and pour what you want.

I may just run with this. I've ordered two pen blanks for just this purpose in case I cannot find a source of precut/milled cabochons. Thanks!

 

[Fine Engineer]

Here's one site with some cylindrical stuff.

Sodalite 11x18mm Cylinder Shape Gemstone-jewelry Making - Etsy

This Gemstones item by AceGemstones has 64 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from India. Listed on Feb 22, 2023

www.etsy.com

They might be able to do some custom stuff for you along these lines.