Dopping is the process of attaching a rock to the end of a stick (dopstick)
for the purpose of holding the stone while cabbing or faceting. 

Materials:
dopping wax 206-054  RG
Heat source, It should adjust to a temperature that will melt the wax, 
but not boil it. (There are all kinds of electric kitchen appliances at good will
that would work.)
dopsticks -- I use nails for cabochons, and grind the points off.
Faceting machines use a brass rod. Dopping for faceting is a little different.

While you are melting the wax, flatten the back of the rough you
are making a cabochon from.
The Idea is to form the warm wax on the end of the nail, into a support
for the cabochon.
Warm the stone, warm the nail, dip some wax on the nail and form into support 
for the stone your working with, stick them together and shape the wax to fit.
Sight on a straight edge, and make sure the nail is at 90 degees, both end and side,
to the edge of the cab.
I suggest purchasing a template for shapes, of standard stones. set of (3) 207-000 RG 
Position the stone under the template and visualise how you want the details of
the stone oriented. Say it fits an 8mm X 10mm, oval with some matrix attached. 
and a small inclusion.  
After grinding away the matrix, you can still fit it under the 8 x 10,
But if you drop it to a 5 x 7 you can eliminate the inclusion.
Decisions, Decisions, but thats what makes it fun.
You can mark on stones with an alumimum scribe.

I usually set up a bunch of dopsticks all at the same time and go ahead and 
attach stones. That way you cut a group at a time and if one pops off the 
wax, you can keep going.
 
CUTTING:
Cut a 10 degree angle on the perimeter when you have it to shape.
This is so the bezel will clinch in the stone.
Cut an arc on the long axis turning it both directions and checking the
silhouette for symmetry. Repeat for the short axis, work the rest down to fit,
lightly smooth out any high ridges.

Sand to remove flat spots and ridges.
Scrub- dopstick, stone, etc. 
Lightly polish, check for ridges and flat spots 
Go back to sanding stage, at finer grit if necessary.
Check to make sure cab top and girdle line, are even and level.
Scrub again.
Polish. you should end up with a surface like spit shined shoes. 

Removing the stone from the dopstick.
You can warm the wax and pull the stone loose, then clean the stone with
a knife blade and alcohol. Some stones will just pop loose with a little
pressure from a knifeblade, between the stone and cold wax.
Ok you now have turned a rock into a valuable gemstone.
Treat it with respect and find a good home for it.