How were semiprecious stones shaped and set in Ming dynasty jewelry?

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jewelry Stomacher brooch with emeralds and enamel flowers on gold, from the treasure of the Virgin of Pilar, mid-17th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

During the Ming dynasty, semiprecious stones were highly valued for their color rather than for complex cutting or faceting.1

To shape these stones, craftsmen typically ground them flat and beveled the edges. They were rarely polished extensively, and in some instances, the stones retained the natural irregularities of the original pebble.1

When setting these stones, Ming jewelers almost exclusively used the en cabochon style. Common stones utilized in this manner included amethyst, agate, chalcedony, various quartzes, and jade. These pieces were often incorporated into elaborate figural and floral designs, frequently rendered in high repoussé relief.1