What is a Cabochon? Guide to Gemstone Cut

The term cabochon, pronounced ˈ ka-bə-ˌshän, refers to gemstone or bead that has been shaped or cut with a smooth, unfaceted top and a flat back. Although one of the most simple or basic cuts for gemstones, it can also be one of the most elegant and beautiful.

Some of the most common gemstones that are cut into cabochons include opal, moonstone, lapis, turquoise, amber and tigereye. Although all gemstones can be cut into cabochon shapes, stones with banding, "eyes" or patterns really benefit from this cut since it beautifully showcases these unique characteristics.

Additionally, the cabochon cut is most commonly used on opaque stones rather than transparent stones. Transparent gemstones tend to be cut with facets instead to allow the light to bounce and create sparkle within the stone. With opaque stones, however, the cabochon cut is often used to highlight the beauty of the surface of the stone.

Along with opaque gemstones, soft and brittle stones are also often made into cabochons. Soft stones benefit from a cabochon cut because the highly polished, domed surface helps to hide scratches in the stone. While some stones are too soft to be faceted, others are so brittle that they would break apart while being cut with facets, so instead they are polished into cabochons.

Cabochons don't have to be made just from gemstones. Many artisans who create handcrafted jewelry use fused glass cabochons in their work. These cabochons are created by fusing together layers of glass in a kiln to create a flat backed, domed stone. Often these glass "stones" are created by using glass that has been treated with a dichroic coating to give them extra sparkle and shine.

Cabochons can be set into traditional jewelry settings, used to create wire-wrapped jewelry, or can even be used in mosaics or other art. Although they can be just about any shape, some of the most common are oval, round and teardrop. The beautiful and versatile stones are a lovely and elegant way to show off the natural beauty of a gemstone.