Why Some Gemstones are Cut as Cabochons
In the gemstone world, a cabochon is a stone that is cut with a highly polished rounded or convex top with no faceting, with a flat or slightly domed base. A cabochon may be cut in any shape, though oval is by far the most common. The term comes from the French caboche, meaning knob or small dome. Certain stones are almost always cut “en cabochon,” including opal, turquoise, onyx, moonstone, and star sapphire. In the gemstone world you will often hear the term cabochon shortened to “cab.”
Technically, cabochons are not really “cut.” Rather they are shaped and then polished. It is thus a much simpler task to produce a cabochon than it is to cut a faceted gem with many faces. Before the art of faceting was developed, all gemstones were produced as cabochons, though some were intricately carved as well.
Faceted gemstones made their appearance in European jewelry during the late 13th and early 14th centuries. With the advent of the horizontally turning cutting-wheel in the late 1400′s came the possibility of designing and repeating elaborately conceived geometric faceting schemes, thereby controlling and enhancing the light coming from within the stone.
The fascination with geometry and reflected light during the Renaissance accelerated the development of a sophisticated lapidary art. Starting with the Renaissance gem-cutting trade in Bruges, to Venice, Florence and eventually the whole of Europe, the management of light became the central theme in gem cutting.
Once the technology and skill was available to facet gemstones, why were cabochons still produced? The question is an interesting one because different gems are cut as cabs for different reasons. In many cases it is because the gem has special properties That Are displayed only when it is cut as a cabochon. Examples are gems that display asterism (the star effect) or chatoyancy (the cat’s eye effect) or iridescence (e.g., opal) or adularescence (e.g., moonstone).
Most gems that are opaque rather than transparent are cut as cabochons rather than faceted. You will also see lower grade material in gemstones such as sapphire, ruby and garnet cut as cabs. If the gem material has very good color but is not sufficiently transparent or clean to be faceted, it can still be shaped and polished to be a very attractive cabochon. It is also common to cut softer stones as cabs, since gems with a hardness less than 7 (on the Mohs scale) can easily be scratched by the quartz in dust and grit. Minute scratches show much less on a cabochon than on a faceted stone.
About the Author
GemSelect is a leading online dealer in fine gemstones, specializing in sapphire, spinel, tourmaline, topaz and zircon. Cabochon Gemstones
Miss Clarissa’s Lapidary Project
|
|
Deschutes Blue Biggs Picture Jasper Cabochon Rough Cab Lapidary Cabbing Specimen $89.00 |
|
|
BUTW “Sugilite” rough lapidary slab cabbing 2094Af $9.99 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $6.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $9.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $7.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $9.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $10.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $9.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $15.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $20.00 |
|
|
2 lbs rough chevron amethyst chunk stone 4 piece lot lapidary cabbing gem $9.99 |
|
|
Beautiful 7 lbs rough jasper agate stone sunset colors cabbing lapidary cab $22.99 |
|
|
Cuprite-Chrysocolla-Quartz Slab Cab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cab Rough #278 $5.95 |
|
|
Cuprite-Chrysocolla-Quartz Slab Cab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cab Rough #281 $5.95 |
|
|
High Contrast Swirls Graveyard Point Plume Agate Rough Cut Cabbing Lapidary $6.99 |
|
|
Gold Sheen Obsidian Slab Grade ‘A’ Cabbing Lapidary Cab Cabochon Rough Slab #006 $7.95 |
|
|
RHODONITE slab / rough slab/lapidary/cabbing/rock/ $6.50 |
|
|
RHODONITE slab / rough slab/lapidary/cabbing/rock/ $9.00 |
|
|
RHODONITE slab / rough slab/lapidary/cabbing/rock/ $9.00 |
|
|
RHODONITE slab / rough slab/lapidary/cabbing/rock/ $9.00 |
|
|
RHODONITE slab / rough slab/lapidary/cabbing/rock/ $10.50 |
|
|
Fluorite Lace–slab-cabbing-rough-lapidary $5.00 |
|
|
Rain Forest Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $5.00 |
|
|
2 lbs 10 oz rough Chrysocolla green red stone lapidary cabbing $9.99 |
|
|
2 lbs 14 oz rough red stripe jasper agate stone lapidary cabbing $9.99 |
|
|
1 lbs 15 oz rough green jasper agate stone lapidary cabbing $9.99 |
|
|
Black Star Sapphire 50+ grams lapidary faceting and cabbing jewelry wrapping !!! $12.49 |
|
|
LAPIDARY SWING ARM SAW & HORIZONTAL CABBING PLANS PACK Free Shipping by Email! $14.99 |
|
|
LABRADORITE rough slabs/cabbing/lapidary/rock slab $8.00 |
|
|
LABRADORITE rough slabs/cabbing/lapidary/rock slab $8.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $25.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $25.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $25.00 |
|
|
Willow Creek Jasper/slab/rough/cabbing/lapidary/gem $25.00 |
|
|
Botswana Agate Tumble Polished Slab Cab Lapidary Cabbing 24.3 Grams $8.99 |
|
|
Brazilian Agate Small Slab / Preformed Cab Lapidary Cabbing 52.8 Grams $4.99 |
|
|
Rhodonite with Manganese Slab Lapidary Cabbing 206.5 Grams $9.99 |
|
|
Green Imperial Jasper Rough Lapidary Cabbing 231 Grams $8.99 |
|
|
Lot of 2 Chrysoprase Slabs w Dendrites Lapidary Cabbing 86.7 Grams $9.99 |
|
|
Purple Fluorite Slab Cabbing Lapidary Gem Cab Cabochon Rough Slab #167 $3.95 |
|
|
Banded Jasper Slab Cab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cabochon Rough Slab #478 $3.95 |
|
|
Tigers Eye Slab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cabochon Rough Slab #492 $3.95 |
|
|
Plume Agate Slab Cabbing Lapidary Cab Gemstone Similar Wingate Plume Agate #893 $3.95 |
|
|
Golden Onyx Slab Cabbing Lapidary 7 Springs Arizona Cabochon Rough Slab #468 $3.95 |
|
|
Orange Calcite Slab Cab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cabochon Rough Slab #465 $3.95 |
|
|
Green Moss Agate Slab Cabbing Lapidary Cab Gem Cabochon Rough Slab #206 $3.95 |
|
|
Fantasy Jasper Slab Cab Cabbing Lapidary Cab Cabochon Rough Slab #225 $3.95 |
|
|
Travertine Honey Onyx Slab Cab Cabbing Lapidary Cabochon Rough Slab #178 $3.95 |
|
|
Autumn Leaf Jasper Slab Cabbing Lapidary Cab Cabbing Cabochon Rough Slab #213 $3.95 |
|
|
Mookaite Jasper Slab Mookite Cabbing Lapidary Cab Gemstone Cabochon Slab #310 $3.95 |
|
|
Sunstone Slab Shiller Cabbing Lapidary Cab Gemstone Cabochon Rough Slab #174 $3.95 |
|
|
Lot of 2 Oco Polished Half Geodes Lapidary Cabbing 58.5 Grams $2.99 |
|
|
Graveyard Plume Agate Slab Lapidary Cabbing 154.3 Grams $6.99 |
|
|
Large Chunk of Clear Quartz Rough Lapidary Faceting Cabbing 235.8 Grams $9.99 |
|
|
Lapis Lazuli Huge Chunk of Rough Afghanistan Lapidary Cabbing 130.6 Grams $39.99 |
|
|
8 lbs 12 oz, huge Wyoming JADE block Cutting Cabbing Cabochons Lapidary $45.00 |
|
|
12 LAPIDARY SPECIMEN MINERAL ROUGH SLAB GEODE CABBING ROCK AGATE OBSIDIAN JASPER $9.99 |
|
|
Mookaite Jasper Slab Mookite Cabbing Lapidary Cab Gemstone Cabochon Slab #762 $5.95 |
|
|
Mookaite Jasper Slab Mookite Cabbing Lapidary Cab Gemstone Cabochon Slab #768 $5.95 |
|
|
Plume Agate Slab Cabbing Lapidary Cab Gemstone Similar Wingate Plume Agate #875 $5.95 |
|
|
Gold Sheen Obsidian Slab Grade ‘A’ Cabbing Lapidary Cab Cabochon Rough Slab #009 $7.95 |
|
|
Aventurine Light Green Slab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cabochon Slab #846 $5.95 |
|
|
Aventurine Light Green Slab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cabochon Slab #848 $5.95 |
|
|
Aventurine Light Green Slab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cabochon Slab #850 $5.95 |
|
|
Aventurine Light Green Slab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cabochon Slab #852 $5.95 |
|
|
Aventurine Light Green Slab Cabbing Lapidary Gemstone Cabochon Slab #854 $5.95 |
|
|
Wild Horse Picture Jasper Slab Cabbing Lapidary Cab Rough Cabochon Slab #972 $5.95 |
|
|
Wild Horse Picture Jasper Slab Cabbing Lapidary Cab Rough Cabochon Slab #974 $5.95 |
|
|
Wild Horse Picture Jasper Slab Cabbing Lapidary Cab Rough Cabochon Slab #976 $5.95 |
|
|
RES Rhodonite Slab-Rough for Cabbing Lapidary $4.00 |
|
|
MOSS AGATE – BRIGHT GOLDS ORANGE AND RED LAPIDARY ROUGH SLAB FOR CABBING – 2 OZ $3.99 |
|
|
NATURAL ROUGH SLAB OF MOOKAITE LAPIDARY CABBING $4.99 |
|
|
RED JASPER WITH HEMATITE SLAB IDEAL FOR CABBING AND LAPIDARY $6.50 |
|
|
QUALITY ROUGH SLAB GREEN STONE OR VERDITE IDEAL FOR LAPIDARY OR CABBING $5.49 |
|
|
NATURAL ROUGH BLACK CRINOID MARBLE SLAB LAPIDARY CABBING $8.63 |
|
|
· BEAUTIFUL ROUGH SLAB OF CRAZY LACE AGATE FROM INDIA FOR CABBING AND LAPIDARY $8.63 |
|
|
NATURAL ROUGH SLAB DEER SKIN JASPER FROM INDIA IDEAL FOR LAPIDARY CABBING $3.23 |
|
|
BEAUTIFUL COBRA SKIN JASPER SLAB FROM INDIA IDEAL FOR CABBING LAPIDARY $6.99 |
|
|
QUALITY ROUGH MARRA MAMBA OR AUST.TIGER EYE SLAB IDEAL LAPIDARY CABBING $7.99 |
|
|
ROUGH SLAB OF RHODONITE IDEAL FOR CABBING AND LAPIDARY $3.99 |
|
|
ROUGH SLAB OF INDIAN BANDED AGATE IDEAL FOR CABBING OR LAPIDARY CRYSTAL $4.50 |
|
|
ZEBRA STONE SLABS ROUGH IDEAL FOR LAPIDARY CABBING OR CARVING FROM AUSTRALIA $11.99 |
|
|
2 CHRYSOPRASE SLABS IDEAL FOR CABBING OR LAPIDARY FROM AUSTRALIA $4.99 |
|
|
VERY NICE ROUGH SLAB OF OPALIZED WOOD FROM AUSTRALIA IDEAL FOR CABBING LAPIDARY $3.99 |
|
|
2 BEAUTIFUL ROUGH SLAB OF SODALITE IDEAL FOR CABBING LAPIDARY CRYSTALS $2.99 |
|
|
DENTRITIC OPALITE $ AGATE ROUGH SLABS FOR CABBING LAPIDARY CRYSTALS $1.99 |
|
|
ROUGH RIBBONSTONE AND PETRIFIED WOOD SLABS FOR CABBING LAPIDARY CRYSTALS $0.99 |
|
|
LARGE 61 grams Best Gem Quality Chrysoprase Carving Cabbing Facet Lapidary Rough $112.50 |
|
|
Owl Hole Death Valley CA Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material $9.95 |
|
|
Montana Agate Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material $19.95 |
|
|
Green Moss Agate 3 Pieces Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material $9.95 |
|
|
Hackberry Wash Plume Agate Mojave Desert Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material 2 $14.95 |
|
|
Horse Canyon AgateTehachapi, CA Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material $12.95 |
|
|
KoKoWeef Caverns Stalactites Baker CA Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material $9.95 |
|
|
Lavic Japser Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material $7.95 |
|
|
Hackberry Wash Plume Agate Mojave Desert Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material $14.95 |
|
|
Rio Grande Moss Agate from Texas Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material $6.95 |
|
|
Blue Chalecdony Indonesia Great Cabbing and Lapidary Material $24.95 |
|
|
LARGE 114grams Best Gem Quality Chrysoprase Carving Cabbing Facet Lapidary Rough $205.20 |
|
|
Rainbow Calcite slab-cabbing-rough-lapidary $16.50 |