Things to Know About Cabochons

Cabochons, or cabs, are a convex type of cut for opaque or softer gemstones. It is a great starting lesson for jewelers and artisans who form rocks, stones, or minerals into decorative items, so this cut is one that they are familiar with. Even with a very simple cut, cabs can transform the look of rocks into unique shapes. As in other gems, cabs are available in all sizes and shapes to suit all needs for ornamental jewelry and other purposes.

The cabochons’ upper surfaces are curved, while the bottoms can be slightly polished or left unpolished, so they are rough.  This allows the items to be set into jewelry easily, rather set into mountings, usually through the use of adhesives. When the bottoms are polished smoothly like the upper surfaces, working with them can be difficult. Cabs are not faceted, but once it is cut, it is almost highly polished.

Soft and opaque stones are mostly suited to form into cabochons, as the high polish and the curves help to conceal the scratches.  Whereas brittle and hard, translucent stones are prone to breaking during faceting process.

Cabs are available in varying shapes, such as ovals, teardrops and rounds.  They can also be cut in irregular shapes if the individual rocks have certain features that the artisans would like to showcase.  There are also varying sizes of cabs that range from the smaller ones for use in rings and earrings to very huge that forms centerpieces on brooches or necklaces. Rocks or gemstones that are cut into cabs are simply called cabochons or en cabochon. These cuts are not applicable to all stones. Highly translucent stones like diamonds, for example, tend to lose their luster when they are cut in this manner.  Because they are not faceted, they would not have the ability to reflect light and create a sparkle.  Other stones, however, are excellent for this cut, because the natural features are highlighted rather than have them hidden behind the facets.

Some examples of softer rocks or gemstones include Lapis, onyx, opal, turquoise, natural stone, wood, bone, and shell.

To cut cabochons, jewelers or lapidarists cut a form from the stone and trim it into shape through the use of a saw. They then mount the piece on a short handled dop stick for curving and polishing. The stone part that is attached to the stick becomes the bottom part or the flat back of the stone when finished. After being shaped and polished to perfection, the cab is removed from the dop stick.  All the wax used in attaching the stone will be removed

Cabs are ideal for Wire Wrapping, Inlay, or Scrapbooking.  These stones are available at local craft and hobby shops, and through online bead shops. Many seasoned artists prefer to get their cabs online for various reasons.  The love the wide variety as well as the convenience of buying their jewelry making supplies from the comfort of their homes and workplaces, besides the better prices, of course.