For my photography I use these stands. They are home made from off the shelf parts that I get at our local plastics retailer - Tap Plastics, I think they may have an online catalog.
I use their precut round pieces both for the base and the top cab holder piece. I use their 1/8" round rod (it comes in 6' pieces) but it is cheap. I bend them at a 45 degree near the top so that the cab will be facing the viewer or camera. I stick the cab on with clear "Scotch" double-sided tape. The size of the base and top piece can be varied depending on the size of the cab.
This is how I used them for my competitive case in 2011 at the CFMS Show. My cabs were on the larger size (up to about 4" high), so I didn't totally suspend them in the air but left the cabs sitting on the base. As you can see the stands didn't show from the front. The label is made from their triangular rod stock. I used a "Brother" label maker with tape that had a black lettering on a clear tape. The tape width matched the surface on the triangular stock.
This was the first time that I have ever displayed competitively and I won the blue ribbon in the masters category for cabochons. I got a score of 98 with the deductions coming from a small gap in the liner and the other from having two of a kind in the Jaspers side. I would suggest that you scrutinize the rules very closely and talk to a judge extensively before you enter. The judges are extremely knowledgable and helpful about the rules.
Bob
