Our Story

Humble beginnings

Hello! I’m Rosa, the founder and owner of New Cabochons (previously New Stone Age Cabochons).

My story begins as a young girl, growing up between Canada and Mexico, surrounded by stones and stories. My father was a lapidary artist whose passion for stones ran in his blood. I used to love helping him sell his creations in markets and gem shows. But more than that, I remember being mesmerized witnessing people connect deeply with stones. 

"There is something special about watching someone fall in love with a stone. It is a different stone for each artist."

From social media to this website

In 2015, I started New Cabochons, it began as small tables at local markets and evolved into a thriving community of artisans on Instagram.

During the pandemic, we became one of the most trusted and consistent cabochon sellers on Instagram. 

In 2022, tragedy struck when my husband and co-founder of New Cabochons, Graeme Bousada, passed away suddenly. We continue to carry his memory with us in everything we do.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us since 2015! And for those discovering us for the first time, welcome to this supportive community of artisans!

We’re honoured to be a small part of your creative journey.

Submit your work with our stones here (for a chance to be featured on our social media and website).

Relationships that matter: connecting through stones

Jumping back to the beginning of this business in 2016, I met Sandra in Southern Mexico. With kind eyes and a quiet strength, she told me about her father, who hand-cut all the amber she sold. Her story felt like a reflection of my own, a daughter selling her father's product.

I placed a small order that day, unaware that this connection was the beginning of what would evolve into the lapidary backbone of New Cabochons.

As the years passed, our relationship grew. One day, Sandra and her family invited me and Graeme to visit their home in southern Mexico. We accepted without hesitation.

We watched as the family hand-cut and polished each piece in their small home workshop, every movement filled with patience and pride.

It was in those quiet moments that I formed a strong connection with this family and it meant something to me to sell their product. Just like that, a chance meeting became a long term relationship of mutual support and succcess.

These stones mean more to us than just their beauty. They carry a story of friendship and generational commitment to the art of lapidary. We are honoured that you have decided to work with our stones and we are humbled to be a small part of your jewelry story.

"Those days are etched in my memory. The scent of rain on the cobblestones, the laughter that spilled into the night. We visited the mines together and, with excitement and fear, walked into the dark tunnels in search of amber."

Our Commitment

Ethically cut stones from artisan families in Mexico

At New Cabochons, we believe that we create our best work when we care. We are committed to transparency and traceability, not just as buzz words but because we care about the people who cut our stones.

Despite having limited control over the gem industry we can ensure that our lapidary artists are treated with respect and fairness.

The result is a product that you can be proud of. The majorty of our stones are cut by the family photographed. We have worked with this family for over 10 years. We are grateful to grow together and bring their product to market.

We are proud to be transparent about where our stones come from and who cuts them.

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