buff top cab·o·chon | ˈbəf ˈtäp ˈka-bə-ˌshän
noun
A style of stone cutting, where the top of the gemstone is a dome (en cabochon) and the pavilion is faceted
There are many different gemstone cutting techniques used by modern-day jewelers. Among them is the buff top cabochon cut, which combines two classic gemstone cutting styles. With this gemstone cutting option, the top of a gemstone is domed with a smooth cabochon cut, sometimes referred to as being “en cabochon.” Beneath the girdle, the gemstone is then faceted on its pavilion through a grinding and polishing process. The result of this gemstone cutting technique is that the finished gemstone draws a viewer’s eyes into the center of the stone. This is because the smooth surface of the domed gemstone allows for a tremendous amount of luster and brilliance to shine to the top through the faceted bottom of the stone. You won’t typically find women’s gemstone jewelry with a buff top cabochon cut. However, the buff top cabochon cut is a very popular gemstone cutting technique for men’s jewelry, in particular gemstone rings.
