Is This A Cab?

[bobby1]

I was fooling around with my rocks today and I came across this segment that I had cut from inside a Brazilian Agate with the intention of cutting smaller pieces from the druzy center. After staring at it for a while I felt that keeping it intact and polishing the outer edges would be a better use for it. So, do you think it ended us as a cab? It is about 2-1/2" across and the druzy crystals really sparkle as I tilt it. Unfortunately, all that sparkle doesn't show up much in a photo.
Bob

[Ranger_Dave]

I can only imagine how sparkly that is. Does a cab have to be oval, "head" shaped? Whatever you want to call it, it's beautiful. I wouldn't change it.

[Hummingbirdstones]

Absolutely, it's a cab.  A nice, big, sparkly, beautiful one!   

[Cowboy]

Yes and no. 

Generally I agree with Hummingbirdstones, that this is a cab, and a great one. But my inner language nerd insists on noting that the term Cab or cabochon comes from the French "cabochon" or "caboche" which is a landform in the shape of a knob, or a small dome.  In the past, the term was used for gemstones that were cut with a flat back and a convex top. I can't tell for certain from the photo you posted, but the top of yours appears nearly flat, so it doesn't have the convex top that was once assumed to be a requirement for a cabochon.

That said, we seem to be working in a time when creativity is king, and jewelers are more willing to experiment with new forms. Because we haven't developed a new term, I see stones called "cabs" all the time, even though they lack convex tops.  It works for me. I've come to think of anything but a faceted stone as a "cab."

How's that for a wishy-washy answer?

[bobby1]

I'll call it a wishy-washy cab because the top is undulating druzy, mostly domed on the left. In profile it looks like low rolling hills with the agate border raised above the surface in some areas. How is that for a description of a "cab". As I rotate it in the light it has a zillion flashes of light off the tops of the quartz crystals.
Bob

[Cowboy]

I've been known to cut those sorts of wishy-washy cabs too. I like to cut white druzy cabs from the outer skin on Youngite, with a surface covered in small botryoidal lumps, all covered in white druzy.

[Enchantra]

Looks like a beautiful cab to me.   
You did a great job preserving the druzy. 

I could see that done up in gold with citrine beads as accents.

[itsandbits1]

the only thing i would like to see is the top and bottom cut back like the sides are to frame the druzy but I would call it a cab

[lithicbeads]

I love the color and share your respect for the inherent beauty of some stone s which should not be defiled. Cab by default, these types of stones need a better name that recognizes the pristine intact surfaces.

[Deer Sky]

       Seriously....  that is a great cabochon. The problem I have is all the people calling every cab they cut a designer and or freeform cabochon to try and get a sale. That piece is beautiful and please never cut it up. For all those who insist on black and white lines for definitions I hope they find the light some day. But I do take note that there are many cab cutters, not lapidaries per say, that cut every slab into flat top calibrated stones and toss them in a polisher so they can make 50 stones a day to sell cheap. It is a tough world out there and that is their choice to make. Me, I love that nature supplied you with such a great stone and you  have not destroyed but enhanced it's beauty.  thanks for sharing

deer sky

[hulagrub]

Multi-faceted!

[bobby1]

In a few weeks I'm going to the CFMS sponsored Camp Paradise to teach lapidary. Though I taught lapidary in the Bay Area for 15 years I haven't had the time or opportunity in the last few years since retiring to do much more than infrequent classes. It will be fun getting back into the love of my life - teaching. As a prelude to the classes I a delve into the word lapidary and its uses. Many people struggle with the fact that people cutting cabs, carving and otherwise shaping rocks are called lapidaries, that the work that they produce is called lapidary work and that the activity is called lapidary. Trying to distinguish themselves as above the rest some artsy fartsy people call themselves lapidists, lapidarians, lapidaryists, lapidarianists  and whatever variation that they can concoct but I tell the students that for untold time and in my opinion lapidary is the accepted term. Just my rant.
Bob

[bullwinkle]

I can think of any number of jewelers who would be more than happy to call it "Mine!  The centerpiece of my next work!"

[asianfire]

In a few weeks I'm going to the CFMS sponsored Camp Paradise to teach lapidary. Though I taught lapidary in the Bay Area for 15 years I haven't had the time or opportunity in the last few years since retiring to do much more than infrequent classes. It will be fun getting back into the love of my life - teaching. As a prelude to the classes I a delve into the word lapidary and its uses. Many people struggle with the fact that people cutting cabs, carving and otherwise shaping rocks are called lapidaries, that the work that they produce is called lapidary work and that the activity is called lapidary. Trying to distinguish themselves as above the rest some artsy fartsy people call themselves lapidists, lapidarians, lapidaryists, lapidarianists  and whatever variation that they can concoct but I tell the students that for untold time and in my opinion lapidary is the accepted term. Just my rant.
Bob

Absolutely agree and not just material like stone. There are wonderful artists out there who could and should be in the "lapidary" category, yet are not accepted by mainstream as such because they work in materials other than stone.

Excellent use of material bobby, but you know that. :). To my way of thinking, this is a cab any day!

[Bentiron]

I don't know Cowboy, sounds like a resident of the White House when asked what he was doing with a certain young lady, we all knew what he had done but being that he was a lawyer he had a different definition of what he was doing, so, in the correct French term it is not a cabochon but to a modern day lapidary it is a cabochon but for sure not a faceted stone. Glad we all have that straight now.
It is still beautiful no matter what the pit nickers call it, right?

[mehoose]

It's a cabcet

[Carol M]

Lately I've seen some GORGEOUS pieces with cabs that were basically flat on top, but beautifully polished and set. http://www.cynthiadowns.com/#/pendants/

Some stones with druzys but others without.

It seems if people insist on a dome...they may be missing some stunning stones.

The stones are not faceted.   If they're not 'cabs' what are they??