cab·o·chon | ˈka-bə-ˌshän
noun
Dome-shaped stone, without facets
A cabochon is a special type of gemstone that has been shaped and polished, rather than faceted. As a result, these gemstones have a domed surface and a flat back. Cabochons are very popular amongst softer gemstones, opaque gemstones, and gemstones with special displays such as an asterism, which is a gemstone that displays a star at its surface. Examples of stones and other natural ornamental jewelry material that are commonly fashioned into cabochons include opal, onyx, turquoise, lapis, bone, wood, and shell. While cabochons can be made into any geometric shape, they are most commonly created into ovals or ellipses. When it comes to setting a cabochon gemstone into a piece of jewelry, there are a few options to consider. Cabochons may be set into a calibrated setting, a jeweler-created bezel setting, or other setting options depending on the stone’s size and shape. Cabochons are a popular type of stone for a wide variety of jewelry pieces and price ranges.
