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A lopsided star or eye is a poor buy. In addition, a star gem may also sometimes cut and polished at the top, with the bottom half not 'f and left rough and unpolished. Regardless of what you may 'd, the bottom half adds nothing to the effect and will only add w P weight.
In other gems, where the pattern of inclusions is irregular, their .'y depends on the flashes of light that are caught and reflected by the irregularity of the pattern. These gems include moonstones and opals, and they are cut Vat in comparison to the star and eye gems. Black opals, in particular, are cut almost flat, not only to show off the lights but also because the stone occurs in thin seams as a rule.
Aside from these special gems, the thickness of the cut can depend on other factors. One is the toughness of the stone. Jade, for example, is one of the toughest gems and is often cut thin as a result. Other gems, such as malachite, are much less tough and must be cut thicker.
Another factor is size. A large cabochon may be cut thinner or, if cut high, may be hollow, since it would otherwise be uncomfortably heavy to wear.
Although cabochons are usually round or oval, you may find other shapes. They may also be square, heart-shaped, rectangular, in the shape of a tear, or any other form appropriate to the size and original shape of the stone.
The precision with which stars and cat's-eyes have to be cut to center the optical effect means that they must be cut, ground, and polished by hand. So must fragile stones, like precious opal and moonstones, which may shatter under rough handling.
