The cabochon cut with a round, outward-curved top
The word cabochon, which comes from French, describes a very old cut for gemstones, which is also known as mugel cut or smooth cut. With a cabochon cut, the surface of the gemstone is smooth and without facets. The upper half of the gemstone with a round or oval base is convexly curved. The underside is usually flattened, but there are also variants in which it is bulged.
The cabochon cut is particularly suitable for opaque or only slightly transparent gemstones, as the special shape perfectly highlights the iridescence caused by the crystal structure.
A cabochon – the cut shape for highlighting special light figures
The cabochon is the only cut shape in which the play of colours and surface iridescence are clearly and distinctly expressed.
One of these effects, for which the cabochon cut is best suited, is the adularization characteristic of moonstones, which is characterized by a flat, blue-white shine that moves across the gemstone.
Asterisms – star-shaped light phenomena, such as those that can occur in sapphire gemstones – are also best brought out by a skillful and carefully executed cabochon cut.
The shape of a cabochon also highlights the aventurization, a light figure typical of the gemstone aventurine, in which colorful sparkling reflections are created by particles enclosed in the stone.
The chatoyation (also known as cat's eye effect) that occurs in many gemstones and is most beautiful in chrysoberyl gemstones also unfolds its most charming effect in the form of a cabochon.
Another phenomenon that is particularly evident in cabochon cuts is opalization. This multi-colored shimmer, which is created by spherical deposits of cristobalite, is a characteristic feature of precious opal.
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Gemstones in the Lexicon
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