A gemstone that has been shaped and polished but not faceted, having a smooth, rounded, convex top and a flat or slightly curved back.
From French cabochon, derived from Old French caboche meaning 'head' or 'knob.' The term evolved to describe gems cut in this rounded, head-like shape rather than with angular facets.
Cabochon cutting is one of humanity's oldest gem-cutting techniques, predating faceted cuts by thousands of years! This method was especially favored for opaque or translucent stones like turquoise and jade, and you'll see it prominently in ancient Egyptian, Roman, and medieval jewelry where the smooth, mysterious surface was prized over sparkle.
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