Cabochon shapes
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- rocks2dust
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Cabochon shapes
We've already had an article on common facet designs, but there are a wide array of cabochon shapes as well. My problem is trying to remember names of many of them, so here is my cheat sheet:
As with facet designs, there are many creative cabochon designs that don't neatly fit any of the shapes shown above. For those, it is usually good enough to find a near match and preface that name with either the word "custom" or "freeform" to alert the reader that it differs somewhat from what is more or less standard for that shape.
There are also some features unique to cabochons (as far as I know). First is the interesting trend toward leaving interesting natural voids (vugs), which may contain sparkling micro crystals (druzy). Another is to leave one or more interesting edges in their natural state (other than the face being polished. These "natural edge" pieces may showcase sparkling crystalization, interesting textures of the stone's rind, matrix or adjacent mineralization, etc. The basic shapes may also feature carving, rather than simple rounding-over. Tablet cuts are nearly flat on top (rather than having a perceptible dome), and are used in transparent materials to highlight valued inclusions, used to produce lighter-weight gems (e.g., for earrings), and to retain interesting patterns.
I'm sure not to have listed all the shapes (regular hexagons, rounds, octagons and more), so it would be great if anyone noticing any missing would add photos here.
As with facet designs, there are many creative cabochon designs that don't neatly fit any of the shapes shown above. For those, it is usually good enough to find a near match and preface that name with either the word "custom" or "freeform" to alert the reader that it differs somewhat from what is more or less standard for that shape.
There are also some features unique to cabochons (as far as I know). First is the interesting trend toward leaving interesting natural voids (vugs), which may contain sparkling micro crystals (druzy). Another is to leave one or more interesting edges in their natural state (other than the face being polished. These "natural edge" pieces may showcase sparkling crystalization, interesting textures of the stone's rind, matrix or adjacent mineralization, etc. The basic shapes may also feature carving, rather than simple rounding-over. Tablet cuts are nearly flat on top (rather than having a perceptible dome), and are used in transparent materials to highlight valued inclusions, used to produce lighter-weight gems (e.g., for earrings), and to retain interesting patterns.
I'm sure not to have listed all the shapes (regular hexagons, rounds, octagons and more), so it would be great if anyone noticing any missing would add photos here.
r2d
surplus odds and ends that I have on ebid.net
· Xtra gemstones
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surplus odds and ends that I have on ebid.net
· Xtra gemstones
· Xcess fossils, minerals and rough
· Everything else
- PinkDiamond
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Re: Cabochon shapes
Nice collection of shapes r2d. This is a great idea so thanks for kicking off the thread for us.
PinkDiamond
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- SwordfishMining
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Re: Cabochon shapes
Thanks for the addition.
I'll jump over my shadow. https://www.virginvalleyopal.com"
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- OpalSpectrum
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Re: Cabochon shapes
cool I didn't know some of the names
here is my little crystal 'demi-lune'
btw. the lines inside are just potch
here is my little crystal 'demi-lune'
btw. the lines inside are just potch
Last edited by OpalSpectrum on Wed Aug 28, 2019 7:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- SwordfishMining
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Re: Cabochon shapes
I just need to cut. We can name them later LOL
I'll jump over my shadow. https://www.virginvalleyopal.com"
Opals & more at my ESTY store https://swordfishmining.etsy.com"
Opals & more at my ESTY store https://swordfishmining.etsy.com"
- OpalSpectrum
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Re: Cabochon shapes
LOL
here is new one > 'magic bean'
here is new one > 'magic bean'
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- PinkDiamond
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Re: Cabochon shapes
LOL! And why not have a bean shape on that gorgeous puppy. It kind of looks like an apostrophe to me.
PinkDiamond
ISG Registered Gemologist
· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ There are miracles left for you to do .... -:¦:- -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* It all begins inside of you.
ISG Registered Gemologist
· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ There are miracles left for you to do .... -:¦:- -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* It all begins inside of you.
- OpalSpectrum
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Re: Cabochon shapes
it also look like a kidney LOL but this doesn't sound cool although in ancient times kidney was very important and was used for magic and fortune-telling
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Re: Cabochon shapes
nah.. its cartoon sweat...
or cartoon tears - right in the middle
or cartoon tears - right in the middle
- OpalSpectrum
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Re: Cabochon shapes
LOL
''...All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain..''
> Blade Runner
''...All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain..''
> Blade Runner
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