# Cabochon cutting

> A cabochon is a stone polished into a smooth dome with no facets; how it is cut with grinding wheels of decreasing grit and polished, and which stones are cut this way.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/cabochon-cutting/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-10
- Updated: 2026-09-14
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/talla-de-cabujones/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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A cabochon is a stone polished into a smooth dome, flat underneath. It is the cut for opaque or translucent stones, such as opal, turquoise or tiger's eye. The name comes from the Norman word “caboche” (head).

![Steps of the technique: Cut the slab, Glue to the dop, Rough out, Round the dome, Pre-polish, Polish](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/cabujon-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## How it is cut

1. A slab is cut and the outline drawn.
2. The stone is glued to a dop stick.
3. It is roughed out on a wheel and shaped into a dome with ever finer grits.
4. It is polished with a very fine abrasive (cerium, aluminum or tin oxide) on leather, felt or a cloth lap.

## Which stones

[Opal](https://www.711grados.com/en/opal/), [turquoise](https://www.711grados.com/en/turquoise/), lapis lazuli, agate, tiger's eye, moonstone, and stones with light effects such as cat's eye or star.

## Setting

They are mostly set in a [bezel](https://www.711grados.com/en/bezel-setting/), which protects the edge and holds the flat-backed stone.

## Tips

A dome that is too high breaks easily; the base must be flat to seat well.

## Step by step

1. **Cut the slab.** With a diamond saw, and draw the outline.
2. **Glue to the dop.** Fix the stone with wax to a dop stick.
3. **Rough out.** Shape on a coarse-grit wheel.
4. **Round the dome.** Move to finer grits.
5. **Pre-polish.** With very fine grit until no scratches remain.
6. **Polish.** On leather or felt with cerium or aluminum oxide.

## Tools and materials

- Diamond saw and cabochon machine
- Dop sticks and wax
- Wheels or laps of decreasing grit
- Cerium, aluminum or tin oxide for polishing

## Common mistakes

- Dome too high: it breaks.
- Base not flat: it will not fit the setting.
- Stone overheating from lack of water.
- Skipping grits: scratches remain.

## See also

- [Gemstone faceting](https://www.711grados.com/en/gemstone-faceting/)
- [Bezel setting](https://www.711grados.com/en/bezel-setting/)
- [Opal](https://www.711grados.com/en/opal/)
- [Turquoise](https://www.711grados.com/en/turquoise/)