Cabochons, short for cabs, are a certain cut of stone that are very popular in various jewelry designs. Cabs can be made from almost any kind of stone, ceramic, porclain and wood as well. Whatever material they made from, they have one feature in common, flat on one side and domed or rounded on the other side. The flat side of the cabs are of great importance as it is the flat side that will usually be secured with wire, metal or beads.

When you pick up a cabochon, there are several tips you should pay attention to

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1. Take a close look at the cab’s edges to ensure there are no cracks or chips.

2. Consider the shape. If it’s suppose to be oval, does it look more like an egg?

3. Examine the polish to see whether it has a high shine.

4. Look at the cab under a light in order to see any cracks or scratches particularly around the center of the cab.

5. How thick is the cab? If a cab is too thin, it might be difficult to use in a metal bezel but fine for beading around.

6. Examine it from the side. The stone should gradually taper so the center is higher than the edges.