A cabochon is a gem or semiprecious stone rounded into an oval, semispherical, or domed shape. It’s highly polished to enrich the colors of the stone and give it a lustrous glow, unlike gems cut into facets that make them sparkle.
Cabochons enhance many different items serving many aesthetic uses. For example, a cabochon stone can serve as the centerpiece of an opulent ring or pendant, or it might be affixed to the front of a vase or another decorative piece of pottery.