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Categories BEAD PENDANTS INTARSIA CABOCHONS/BEAD SUITES OR SETS XL COLLECTOR CABOCHONS Apache Gold Arizona Pietersite Australian Moss Agate Azurite-Malachite Blue Bubble Chalcedony Blue Lace Agate Brazilian Piranha Agate Bruneau Jasper Cacoxenite Candy Opal Cherry Creek Jasper Chevron Amethyst Chrysocolla-Malachite Cobalto Calcite (Pink Drusy) Coyamito Agate Crazy Lace Agate Crown of Silver Psilomelane Deschutes Jasper Dinosaur Bone Drusy Agate (AKA Druse or Druzy) Drusy Chrysocolla Flame Agate Fossil Coral Graveyard Plume Agate Kyanite Laguna Agate Magnetite & Pyrite Mahogany Obsidian Maw Sit Sit Medicine Bow Agate Montana Agate Mookaite Jasper Morrisonite and Carracite Native Copper Nipomo Agate Noreena Jasper Ocean Jasper Other Specialty Cabochons Owyhee Jasper Petrified Palm Wood (Indonesia) Petrified Palm Wood (Louisiana) Poppy Jasper Prehnite Red Agate Psuedomorph Rhodochrosite Ricolite Royal Imperial Jasper Rutilated Quartz Sagenitic Agate Serpentine Sonora Sunset (Chrysocolla Cuprite) Tiger Eye Turquoise Tuxedo Agate Uvarovite Garnet Wave Dolomite Web Serpentine White Plume Agate Willow Creek Jasper

Stone or Gemstone Cabs

Jewelry gemstones usually fall into two types of cutting. Some are faceted and semi precious stones or gemstones that are not faceted are cabbed or cut into cabs. Cabs is a shortened term for cabochons. Faceting is the art of cutting several facets or faces into a gemstone. This is usually done to transparent stones; such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. These types of gemstones are often refered to as precious stones. However transparent stones may still be cut into cabs if they have too many internal inclusions, or are softer stones. This includes some amethysts, peridots, tourmalines, etc. Sometimes stones that are translucent, where some light does still pass through them, are faceted; such as with chrysoprase or gem silica chrysocolla. Gemstone cabs that have a internal shimmer or glow, or those that have a "star", are usually cut into cabs to enhance their special features.

Though there are variations, facted gemstones are usually in a basic shape; round, marquis, pear, or square. They are set in pronged head settings or sometimes wirewrapped.

Cabochons or cabs cover all other types of cuts. Primarily cab stones are in a convex shape (domed), with a flat bottom. However, today there are many variations known as designer cabs. They can be cut into exotic shapes, or even 3 dimensional. They can be sculpted or carved. These fancy cuts are individually hand done by very talented artists, are usually one of a kind, and sometimes can be very expensive.

Stone cab settings have much more variety; they can be put into a prong setting, or a bezel. A bezel is a rim that encompasses the stone. The stone may or may not be covered in the back. They can be wirewrapped. Or there is a new technique using precious metal clays where the stone cab is molded into the setting.

At BarlowsGems we have specilized in beautiful gemstone cabs, from unique materials, custom cut for the creative jeweler or wirewrapper, for over 30 years. Each of our gemstone cabs is handcut, often from semi precious gemstone materials that are self-collected. We offer a huge selection of sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns. We get a superior finish on our stone cabs, even the hard to cut materials. Click here to check out our fantastic line of one of a kind gemstone cab suites or sets!