Quick Facts on Agate Stone
| Chemical Formula |
: | SiO2 |
| Mineral |
: | Chalcedony |
| Color |
: | White to grey, light blue, orange to red, black |
| Hardness |
: | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Specific Gravity |
: | 2.6 2.64 |
Cabochons / Cab Stones
Cabochons are the highly polished, convex-cut un-faceted semi
precious stones that have been shaped to have a rounded or smooth
top. They can be made from baltic amber, malachite, fire agate,
dichroic glass and obsidian. The semi precious cab stones that have
no cleavage can be made into cabochons or faceted with an oval or
mixed cut.
Finished with a high polish, the cabochon types of semi precious
stones are ready to set items. The cab gemstones can be cut into
cabochons or engraved stones for settings, beads on other ornaments.
In the high-domed cabochons, the sheen is concentrated at the top in
a bright spot that sometimes extends across the stone as a distinct
'eye'.
The cabochons are commonly used in jewelry, as birthstones for
astrological purposes, in fashion accessories like cab stone ring,
cab stone necklace or can even be embedded in decorative items or
small sculptures.