Lapidary Terms Explained: Cabochon

This post is the second in a series of explaining terms used in the lapidary world (the first being around the Mohs Hardness Scale). I thought I would go right back to the basics for this one and explain the word Cabochon.

The term 'Cabochon' originates from the Middle French word caboche meaning 'Head'.

A cabochon is a gemstone, generally a semi precious stone, which has been cut, shaped and polished by a Lapidary into a convex or domed stone with a flat back.

Free Form Designer Cabochons; Left to right they are Picture Jasper, Boulder Opal, Chrysoprase and Green Jasper

Cutting a gemstone to cabochon form is usually a way to cut material that is opaque, as opposed to faceting a translucent stone. In general terms, hardness of a given stone is also taken into account with material rating greater than 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale being reserved for faceting, rather than cabochon cutting.


Free Form Cabochons in Jewellery; Left to right they are Green Serpentine, Kyanite, Boulder Opal,
Agate and Dendritic Chalecedony

It is widely accepted that their are essentially 2 forms of cabochons; Standard cabochons and free form (or 'designer') cabochons.

Standard 30mm x 40mm Oval Cabochons; Left to right they are Petrified Wood, Jasperlite, Banded Chert and Agate

A standard cabochon is a stone which has been cut into a 'standard' shape such as an oval (as pictured above), square or circle whereas a free form or designer cabochon is a stone cut into an unusual shape without the use of a template. Generally designer cabochons have been designed to take full advantage of what the material has to offer visually, or to allow the cutter some artistic licence with the stone at hand. Cutting a stone cabochon generally involves Diamond wheels (both Metal and resin bonded) or Silicon Carbide wheels, although Diamond has become the preferred method. You can view my How To Guide on cutting stone cabochons by clicking here.

Until next time!