Cabochon Jewelry and Rings

The Earth's Treasure style cut breakdown:

Cut name: Cabochon gemstone
Generally used for: Opaque gemstones
Characteristics: polished with a flat, convex curved surface and a flat back
Common shape(s): Oval
Different from: Faceted and other rougher cuts

The cabochon gemstone is a gemstone that has been shaped and polished rather than facetted (small, flat-cut surfaces that make a sparkling effect on transparent stones). The result of a cabochon gemstone cut is a flat bottom with an outward bulging top. The cabochon gemstone cut is mostly used on opaque type gemstones, while faceting is used for more on the transparent stones. Because of this it remains one of the most popular cuts when in contrast to the opaque gemstone.

Softer translucent gems with a Mohs hardness scale of 7 or less are easily scratched by silicon dioxide in dust and other airborne particles. This results in a faded and unattractive look. These gems are instead cut and polished using the cabochon gemstone cut technique, which leaves the cuts and scratches on the gemstone less visible. A cabochon cut can be paired with any gemstone one could desire.

Cabochons are cut from a piece of rough rock which is stenciled into a unique shape using a template. The rock is then cut along the stencil (usually using a trim saw) with a diamond tipped blade. After the rock is cut it is then "nibbled" along the line. Nibbling is used to help speed up the shaping of the opaque gemstones and after the rock is trimmed and nibbled it is then "dropped." This "dropping" is when the piece is forcefully mounted onto a handle to begin shaping. The dropping occurs when the stone is attached to a dop stick using hot wax. A dop stick is a long wooden dowel that has been used for decades for a variety of cabochon gemstone jewelry purposes.

After the stone has been attached to the dop stick, it is then grounded along the template line. The stone is finally polished and sanded into a dome shape. although it is a long and arduous process, it is a key step in producing the elegant and beautiful cut of cabochon.

Cabochon cuts can exhibit a unique star like effect. When looked at from a certain angle using a light source with a single point, opaque gemstones such as sapphire and ruby will exhibit a six pointed star across the top of the stone. This phenomenon also occurs in other stones like spinels and gamets. This star effect is the caused by the high amount of titanium dioxide in the mineral.

Another illusion exhibited by cabochon cuts are the "cat's eye." The "cat's eye" is an effect in which a line, resembling that of a cat's eye, is present down the center of the gemstone. The cat's eye has been described as having a bPageBottom.html and silky effect. This effect is most common in the tiger's eye stone.

Cabochons are usually cut into an oval shape, mainly due to the fact that the human eye has a harder time detecting small asymmetries in an oval type shape as opposed to a more rounded one. Oval Cabochon gemstone jewelry, along with a dome, is seen as highly attractive and is very popular here at Earth's Treasures. In addition to this you can also expect the highest quality customer service per usual! It's why we're the people's jeweler!

	Natural Cabochon Rhodochrosite Rosy red pink with white marble like crystal designs. These cabochons come in small to large sizes.
	Natural Cabochon Rhodonite Calming shade of mauve cabochon with distinctive black matrix patterns. Looks stylish with pink and grey attire.
	Natural Cabochon Paua "Sea Opal" BPageBottom.html and vibrant colors shimmer on this cabochon. Each one has unique pattern of black matrix. Available in several colors.
	Natural Cabochon Red Jasper Handsome brick red crimson color cabochon.
	Natural Cabochon Leopard Jasper This stone has distinctive leopard spots in shades of brown, reds, and beige. Each one is unique.
	Natural Cabochon Tiger's Eye Each one of these stones has unique brown and golden stripped patterns. Rotate this cabochon in light, and see the bands shimmer and move in the light.
	Simulated Cat's Eye The cat's eye watches you! Rotate this cabochon in light and see white stripe "move". Cat's eye is available in about a dozen other colors.
	Natural Cabochon Carnelian This cab has a glowing warm reddish brown color. Looks great with tan and brown attire.
	Natural Cabochon Sardonyx This is one of my favorites. Warm glowing orange cabochon with white striped patterns. Each stone is different. Looks great in our contemporary mens and ladies jewelry styles.
	Natural Cabochon Amber This is a prehistoric gem! Remember the giant amber in the movie Jurassic Park? Now you can have an amber gemstone too. Each one is unique, having bits of fossilized plant pollen "frozen in time" within this glowing yellow orange cabochon.
	Simulated Cat's Eye The cat's eye watches you! Rotate this cabochon in light and see white stripe "move". Cat's eye is available in other colors.
	Natural Cabochon Paua "Sea Opal" BPageBottom.html and vibrant colors shimmer on this cabochon. Each one has unique pattern of black matrix. Available in several colors.
	Natural Cabochon Unakite This cabochon has beautiful detail. Looks like the landscape on a Monet painting!
	Natural Cabochon Paua "Sea Opal" BPageBottom.html and vibrant colors shimmer on this cabochon. Each one has unique pattern of black matrix. Available in several colors.

	Natural Cabochon Bloodstone Features red spots against a deep green background.
	Simulated Cat's Eye The cat's eye watches you! Rotate this cabochon in light and see white stripe "move". Cat's eye is available in other colors.
	Natural Cabochon Jade Cabochon with light to deep olive green tones.
	Natural Cabochon Aventurine Soft sage and jade greens with tiny tiny crystals.
	Natural Cabochon Lapis Rich denim blues to dark blue shades.
	Natural Cabochon Paua "Sea Opal" BPageBottom.html and vibrant colors shimmer on this cabochon. Each one has unique pattern of black matrix. Available in several colors.
	Natural Cabochon Turquoise Lovely color for spring and summer wardrobe!!
	Simulated Cat's Eye The cat's eye watches you! Rotate this cabochon in light and see white stripe "move". Cat's eye is available in other colors.
	Blue Lace Agate Baby blue with soft white stripes . . .
	Natural Cabochon Sodalite Attractive shade of blue with unique stripe designs.
	Black Opal A multicolored mosaic masterpiece!
	Natural Cabochon Fluorite feature pastel purples, blues, yellows, greens and pinks.
	Natural Cabochon Charoite Cabochon with crystalline design with rich purples tones. Some of these stones exhibit swirling patterns of white and crystal.
	Natural Cabochon Hematite Shiny metalic-like cabochon.
	Natural Cabochon Onyx Looks great in classic and fancy jewelry!
	Natural Cabochon Moss Agate Features distinctive moss patterns. Each one is unique!