Latest Cut Gems
Very Unusual Stone
22/07/10 22:40
I bought this stone about 6 months ago from the
main dealer i use in Kenya. It's a color change
garnet from the Taita-Taveta area in
Kenya. Many of the color change stones from
this area have a poor color change, and go
from a peachy purple to a brown color. This
one was very special, and turns from a purple
to a teal blue/green. In incandescent it's a
purple with blue flashes, under daylight it
goes to a teal blue, and in florescent a teal
green color. It is a dark stone, it always
seems the best color change is with the darker
stones. This garnet does show it's best
brilliance in daylight and florescent. This
was really hard to try to photograph, as my
normal lighting set up is Solux bulbs that are
a warm daylight. So this first image does have
a lot more blue in it, than you would see with
pure incandescent. The next images is
florescent light. It's one of the stones you
really need to see in person, and is best
geared for a collector of very rare stones.
The cut is my Star 80 design.
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Mali Garnet
19/07/10 23:21
I haven't cut a Mali Garnet in
about a year. Last year they were pretty
popular, and I cut about 5 or 6, and they all
went very fast. This one is a bit larger than
those last year, as it's 2.10 ct with very
nice crystal and loop clean. The image doesn't
show the dispersion, in real life the stone
displays very high dispersion. The dispersion
on a Mali garnet is very strong (0.057) which
is even higher than a diamond (0.044). Compare
this to a spessartite garnet which is still
high, but only 0.024 to 0.027
Nigerian Rubellite is alive and well
15/07/10 23:31
The past few months some very nice Rubellite has been
coming out of Nigeria again. These stones are
all natural, no heat or other treatment, with
a strong color that holds true in any light.
This round is 1.84 cts.
This round is 1.84 cts.
Tourmaline and Tanzanite
29/06/10 21:58
Three new stones tonight, and one that was cut for
a client.
I just got in a new parcel of Rubellite tourmaline, spessartite garnet, and few Nigerian Paraiba type tourmalines. So this little guy here looked like fun to cut, as I was in the mood for something quick to cut. Small stones normally cut pretty quickly.
This is just fantastic color, the stone looks like a deep ruby. Not real large, but very pretty.
Next was another Tourmaline from the parcel that stood out for it's rather odd color. So I figures that I might as well cut it now and get it out of the way.
Here's a Tanzanite from my trip last summer to Arusha. This one is cut in a round in a nice size for a ring. This was a natural blue stone.
This last stone is the last of the Asscher cut Aquamarines that I was able to cut all from one long pencil shaped crystal. The stone was from Mozambique Africa, and has very nice color. Wish I had more.
I just got in a new parcel of Rubellite tourmaline, spessartite garnet, and few Nigerian Paraiba type tourmalines. So this little guy here looked like fun to cut, as I was in the mood for something quick to cut. Small stones normally cut pretty quickly.
This is just fantastic color, the stone looks like a deep ruby. Not real large, but very pretty.
Next was another Tourmaline from the parcel that stood out for it's rather odd color. So I figures that I might as well cut it now and get it out of the way.
Here's a Tanzanite from my trip last summer to Arusha. This one is cut in a round in a nice size for a ring. This was a natural blue stone.
This last stone is the last of the Asscher cut Aquamarines that I was able to cut all from one long pencil shaped crystal. The stone was from Mozambique Africa, and has very nice color. Wish I had more.
Garnets and Sapphires
20/06/10 13:44
Four new stones today. This first one is an
orange/golden Montana Sapphire. Montana
stones are always unique and interesting,
especially these orange ones, as the color is
in one ball inside the stone.
Next up is a very pretty Lilac Sapphire, all natural from Tanzania.
I bought a parcel of new rough from Nigeria, which was made up of Spessartite Garnet, Rubelite Tourmaline and a few nice Nigerian Pariaba type Tourmaline. This one is the first of the Spessartite garnets from the parcel.
The last stone is an oval cut from a piece of Green Grossular garnet from Kenya.
Next up is a very pretty Lilac Sapphire, all natural from Tanzania.
I bought a parcel of new rough from Nigeria, which was made up of Spessartite Garnet, Rubelite Tourmaline and a few nice Nigerian Pariaba type Tourmaline. This one is the first of the Spessartite garnets from the parcel.
The last stone is an oval cut from a piece of Green Grossular garnet from Kenya.
First Stones posted for June
05/06/10 21:59
I have been waiting until I had more than one or
two stones to post, plus I've been busy doing some
commissioned work.
First up is a Yellow Zircon from Tanzania. These stones start out as kind of a honey root beer brown color, but after heating to a low temperature they do change color to a yellow. This one turned to a very nice canary type yellow. Below is a picture before heating and then one after heating. The color change is permanent.
Next up is a Garnet I bought on my last trip to Africa. This one is a mix of Pyrope and Almandine. The refractive index makes it too high to be considered Pyrope (1.76). Typically a garnet of this mix is considered Rhodolite, but to be called rhodolite the stone should have a distinct purple tone, which this one doesn't. The color is really more of a chrome red.
This next stone is an Emerald from Brazil, that is all natural, no oil or other fillers or treatments. Oiling would improve the look, and I may consider having it oiled, but thought I'd put it up on offer, as it's so very rare to find a natural emerald. The picture doesn't do the stone any justice; the color is much better in person, and the inclusion no where near as distracting as they show in the photo.
This next stone is a small Peridot I just finished up from Pakistan. There are 112 facets on this stone. Nice color, typical of Pakistan Peridot.
Last up is another of the Afghanistan Tourmaline I was able to pick up form the 2010 Tucson gem show. This is a nice size stone weighing 3.78 cts.
Well one last one! This one isn't really new, it was sitting in my tray of cut stones, and I realized it has never been up on the site. It's a Blue Sapphire from Nigeria, that is unheated. The stone is very dark, similar to what you see in your typical mall stores. But I have priced it very low.
First up is a Yellow Zircon from Tanzania. These stones start out as kind of a honey root beer brown color, but after heating to a low temperature they do change color to a yellow. This one turned to a very nice canary type yellow. Below is a picture before heating and then one after heating. The color change is permanent.
Next up is a Garnet I bought on my last trip to Africa. This one is a mix of Pyrope and Almandine. The refractive index makes it too high to be considered Pyrope (1.76). Typically a garnet of this mix is considered Rhodolite, but to be called rhodolite the stone should have a distinct purple tone, which this one doesn't. The color is really more of a chrome red.
This next stone is an Emerald from Brazil, that is all natural, no oil or other fillers or treatments. Oiling would improve the look, and I may consider having it oiled, but thought I'd put it up on offer, as it's so very rare to find a natural emerald. The picture doesn't do the stone any justice; the color is much better in person, and the inclusion no where near as distracting as they show in the photo.
This next stone is a small Peridot I just finished up from Pakistan. There are 112 facets on this stone. Nice color, typical of Pakistan Peridot.
Last up is another of the Afghanistan Tourmaline I was able to pick up form the 2010 Tucson gem show. This is a nice size stone weighing 3.78 cts.
Well one last one! This one isn't really new, it was sitting in my tray of cut stones, and I realized it has never been up on the site. It's a Blue Sapphire from Nigeria, that is unheated. The stone is very dark, similar to what you see in your typical mall stores. But I have priced it very low.
Aqua-Malaya-Spinel
26/05/10 23:44
Three new stones tonight. First up is a 2.8 ct
Malaya garnet in
one of my favorite cuts. This stone is from a
new find in the Tunduru region of Tanzania.
These stone are more orange than other Malaya
garnets.
Next is a Spinel, from Tanzania again, but this time from the Morogoro area. The stone has a color shift going more toward a lilac color in daylight.
The last stone is an Aquamarine cut in an Asscher that is from Mozambique Africa. The Mozambique aqua's are the finest colored aqua's coming out of Africa.
Next is a Spinel, from Tanzania again, but this time from the Morogoro area. The stone has a color shift going more toward a lilac color in daylight.
The last stone is an Aquamarine cut in an Asscher that is from Mozambique Africa. The Mozambique aqua's are the finest colored aqua's coming out of Africa.
Afghan Tourmaline
10/05/10 22:12
I just finished up this stone. Everyone has been
asking for Asschers, but this one needed to be this
shape, and I hadn't cut a concave in quite some
time, so it was due. The pavilion is all concave
facets, the crown is a series of squares with a
diamond shaped table. The material is Tourmaline from
Afghanistan, which produces the nicest green
tourmaline in the world.
Spessartite Garnet
23/04/10 22:56
It seems like forever since I have posted a new
stone. Here's a spessartite garnet
from Lolatema Tanzania with a bright orange
color. These stones look cleaner in person
than in the picture.
Green & Red
06/04/10 22:14
It's been a busy week with some Puppy Mill
activities, helping out with a new website for an
upcoming event, a pet store protest that sells
puppy mill dogs back in Buffalo, so cutting has
been a bit slow. However, I do have a few new
stones. The first two are for sale and listed, the
third was a commissioned cut, but if it's not
taken, then it will become available.
First up is a Peridot from Kenya. This is from a new find, and is some really nice material. The stones are much richer than what has been coming out of China, but the color not quite as saturated as the Pakistani stones.
This next one is another of the Tanga Garnets I picked up 2 months ago. Very nice color, a bit more purple than most rhodolite's.
This last one is a green/blue tourmaline from Afghanistan, cut in a Royal Asscher, 2.06 cts. This one is sold.
First up is a Peridot from Kenya. This is from a new find, and is some really nice material. The stones are much richer than what has been coming out of China, but the color not quite as saturated as the Pakistani stones.
This next one is another of the Tanga Garnets I picked up 2 months ago. Very nice color, a bit more purple than most rhodolite's.
This last one is a green/blue tourmaline from Afghanistan, cut in a Royal Asscher, 2.06 cts. This one is sold.
Mahenge Spinel
23/03/10 19:36
I have just a very few pieces of these Mahenge
spinels left, and this is
one of the nicest. The stone is loop clean,
fantastic color, strong florence and a perfect
cut. This long oval design produces a very
bright stone with no bow tie or extinction
that is so common in most commercial ovals.
Matched Pair of Tsavorite
22/03/10 21:39
I don't cut many matched pairs, as they are
difficult to get two stones the same color without
buying very large parcels. When I saw this tsavorite garnet
over the summer in Tanzania, it was a crazy
shape, that would need to be cut into two
stones, but the finest color tsavorite I had
seen. The stones don't look it in the picture,
but they are exactly matched color wise and
size, and are a beautiful chrome green with
blue, more intense than the picture and a bit
richer deeper color. These would make an
absolutely stunning pair of earrings.
This was my first gemstone picture with the new camera, while it does photograph green better, the image can't capture the intense color of these.
This was my first gemstone picture with the new camera, while it does photograph green better, the image can't capture the intense color of these.
Old stones and New stones
20/03/10 22:07
I was going through my cut stones, finding one to
ship, when I ran across a few Citrine that I noticed
were not up on the site. So here they are, and
marked pretty low.
Also I do have one new cut stone tonight, this one is a 1.56 blue Montana Sapphire.
You may or may not have noticed that my Blog service got switched, and now it works a bit better. You can leave comments on each page and can also subscribe to the RSS feed, which will automatically send you notifications of any new additions to the blog page. All new stones are introduced here on the blog along with a link to the page where the details are shown.
Also I do have one new cut stone tonight, this one is a 1.56 blue Montana Sapphire.
You may or may not have noticed that my Blog service got switched, and now it works a bit better. You can leave comments on each page and can also subscribe to the RSS feed, which will automatically send you notifications of any new additions to the blog page. All new stones are introduced here on the blog along with a link to the page where the details are shown.
Spinel and Tourmaline
14/03/10 15:57
Two new stones today. This first one is a Rubellite
Tourmaline cut in a cushion just over 2
cts. Very nice color, better saturation than
you see in the picture.
This next stone is a Spinel from the Morogoro region of Tanzania, cut in a SRB design.
This next stone is a Spinel from the Morogoro region of Tanzania, cut in a SRB design.
More from Madagascar
28/02/10 21:21
I have been busy with some commissioned stones, but
I do like to fit something in for the website every
few days. This is one that I haven't cut in a few
years. It's one of the new Apatite stones I bought in
Tucson a few weeks ago. This one is just over
10 mm, and 4.03 cts. The color looks like a
very fine Pariaba Tourmaline, but at a
fraction of the price.
5 mm Sapphires
23/02/10 19:15
Two new sapphires tonight, both 5 mm stones. The
first one is a blue Montana Sapphire cut in a
step cut round design.
This next stone is a Winza Sapphire/Ruby in a 5 mm cushion. The color is a more intense red, similar to the Mahenge spinels, than the photo shows. HERE is an intersting article about the Winza location and the stones by Vincent Pardieu and Jean Baptiste Senoble. These are interesting stones, as many of them have both distinct red and blue areas on the same stone. Almost all the blue on this one cut out, you can see in the photo at 9:00 just a tiny spot of blue sapphire.
This next stone is a Winza Sapphire/Ruby in a 5 mm cushion. The color is a more intense red, similar to the Mahenge spinels, than the photo shows. HERE is an intersting article about the Winza location and the stones by Vincent Pardieu and Jean Baptiste Senoble. These are interesting stones, as many of them have both distinct red and blue areas on the same stone. Almost all the blue on this one cut out, you can see in the photo at 9:00 just a tiny spot of blue sapphire.
3 new stones
17/02/10 22:14
A few new stones tonight.
8 mm Spinel from Tanzania
A Rhodolite garnet from Tanga
and an Aquamarine from Pakistan with interesting tourmaline wisps inside it that I just cleaned up the natural crystal a bit. I thought this would make an nice pendant stone with a mounting attached to the top.
8 mm Spinel from Tanzania
A Rhodolite garnet from Tanga
and an Aquamarine from Pakistan with interesting tourmaline wisps inside it that I just cleaned up the natural crystal a bit. I thought this would make an nice pendant stone with a mounting attached to the top.
Snowy day in PA
10/02/10 20:01
It's snowing like crazy here in eastern PA, so not
much to do but cut stones. Several new stones, and
one blue stone that just never got posted before.
First up is an all American stone. This one is a Montana Sapphire, found in the Missouri River over 20 years ago. This one was there when Louis and Clark passed by. Made in America - cut in America!
Next up is a blue zircon that I cut a few years ago, and was never added to the site. Just an oversight as it's a very pretty stone.
Another zircon, this time a large red zircon from Tanzania.
This stone needs to be seen in person to be appreciated. It's a sphene from Madagascar, and the dispersion just cannot be captured on the camera. The stone in the right light looks like Christmas going on. Sphene has more dispersion then a diamond, and this one has a very nice base color of yellow.
A couple other new stones... A spinel, and Aquamarine.
First up is an all American stone. This one is a Montana Sapphire, found in the Missouri River over 20 years ago. This one was there when Louis and Clark passed by. Made in America - cut in America!
Next up is a blue zircon that I cut a few years ago, and was never added to the site. Just an oversight as it's a very pretty stone.
Another zircon, this time a large red zircon from Tanzania.
This stone needs to be seen in person to be appreciated. It's a sphene from Madagascar, and the dispersion just cannot be captured on the camera. The stone in the right light looks like Christmas going on. Sphene has more dispersion then a diamond, and this one has a very nice base color of yellow.
A couple other new stones... A spinel, and Aquamarine.
Post Tucson Cutting
04/02/10 21:41
First new stones for February
A couple new stones to start out the month, the first one is one of the new Afghan tourmalines I found in Tucson. This stone is just over 3 cts, and a very pretty minty green color.
Next up is a Tsavorite Garnet from Tanzania. This one is from my summer trip to Africa.
This last one is a Spinel from Tajikistan
A couple new stones to start out the month, the first one is one of the new Afghan tourmalines I found in Tucson. This stone is just over 3 cts, and a very pretty minty green color.
Next up is a Tsavorite Garnet from Tanzania. This one is from my summer trip to Africa.
This last one is a Spinel from Tajikistan
Mid January Stones
18/01/10 22:02
The latest cut stones for offer...
First up are 2 Rhodolite garnets from Tanzania, each from a different mine with a different look.
This next stone is a Spinel from Tajikistan cut in my Star 80 Design. A very pretty pink.
The last stone is one of my favorite stones to cut, a Lake Baringo Ruby. These stones have to be seen in person, they almost glow, and the wonderful thing about them is they are all natural, no heat or other treatments. They seldom come large, and this is a smaller stone, but the color is a neon hot red.
First up are 2 Rhodolite garnets from Tanzania, each from a different mine with a different look.
This next stone is a Spinel from Tajikistan cut in my Star 80 Design. A very pretty pink.
The last stone is one of my favorite stones to cut, a Lake Baringo Ruby. These stones have to be seen in person, they almost glow, and the wonderful thing about them is they are all natural, no heat or other treatments. They seldom come large, and this is a smaller stone, but the color is a neon hot red.
Spinel and Tourmaline
10/01/10 18:20
I have two, well maybe two new stones today. The
first one is a Chrome Green
Tourmaline from Tanzania. This one is a
bit lighter tone than most I buy, making for a
very bright stone, but still with an intense
green color. Weighs 1.42 cts.
This next one is one of the Mahenge Spinels. Now I have a list of people who have written in asking for one of these, so this stone has been offered to those on the list first. If there are no takers, then it will go up on the website for sale. Check back in a day or two. The stone weighs 1.52 cts and measures 8.39 x 5.61 mm.
This next one is one of the Mahenge Spinels. Now I have a list of people who have written in asking for one of these, so this stone has been offered to those on the list first. If there are no takers, then it will go up on the website for sale. Check back in a day or two. The stone weighs 1.52 cts and measures 8.39 x 5.61 mm.
FIrst posting of the New Year
03/01/10 23:12
Here's the first
posting for the New Year. Three stones from
Tanzania, and one from the Congo.
First up is a natural blue Tanzanite that has not been heated.
Next is a steel blue Sapphire from Songea.
This next stone is a Tourmaline from the Congo, cut in an opposed bar design.
This last one is a large Grossular Garnet.
First up is a natural blue Tanzanite that has not been heated.
Next is a steel blue Sapphire from Songea.
This next stone is a Tourmaline from the Congo, cut in an opposed bar design.
This last one is a large Grossular Garnet.
Malaya Garnet
20/12/09 20:56
One new stone tonight. This one is a Malaya Garnet from
Tanzania. The color range of Malaya Garnets is
pretty broad, and this one is one on the more
orange side. Just under 2 cts.
Tanzanian Gemstones
30/11/09 20:09
Two new stones tonight, both from my trip to
Tanzania this past summer. The first one is a
Zircon. This was one of the
very very dark red stones, these are always
heated. The temperature ranges from about 500
F to 850 F. The heating lightens the stone and
alters the color somewhat.
This next stone is a Chrome Green Tourmaline. The intense chrome color doesn't photograph well at all.... this one is a very intense green with a touch of blue.
This next stone is a Chrome Green Tourmaline. The intense chrome color doesn't photograph well at all.... this one is a very intense green with a touch of blue.
Blue Green Tourmaline
15/11/09 20:16
3 new stones for today. The first is a large
blue/green tourmaline from
the Congo. I bought this stone about 3 years
ago, and have been waiting to cut it. The
stone measures almost 15 mm and weighs over 15
cts. Very nice color, with a lot of life that
doesn't show in the photo - much nicer in
person.
Next is a Tanzanite from my trip to Tanzania this past summer.
The last stone is an Aquamarine from East Africa, that has not been heated.
Next is a Tanzanite from my trip to Tanzania this past summer.
The last stone is an Aquamarine from East Africa, that has not been heated.
Novembers first stones
09/11/09 20:46
A few new stones today, and one old one that has
never been on the site.
This first one is a mint green tourmaline from Nigeria. This one is not offered for sale yet, as there are a few people who have asked for one, so if it isn't taken, then it will be posted on the site for sale in the next few days. The stone weighs 1.82 ct.
Next up is a Sunset Tourmaline from Kenya. This one is actually a proof cut for a new design I have been working out for a large blue/green tourmaline. So I cut it first in the stone to see how it performed in real life.
This next one I cut a few years ago, and kind of misplaced it. It's a Songea Sapphire that has been Be-heat treated, and concave cut.
Lastly, this Color Change Garnet is available.
This first one is a mint green tourmaline from Nigeria. This one is not offered for sale yet, as there are a few people who have asked for one, so if it isn't taken, then it will be posted on the site for sale in the next few days. The stone weighs 1.82 ct.
Next up is a Sunset Tourmaline from Kenya. This one is actually a proof cut for a new design I have been working out for a large blue/green tourmaline. So I cut it first in the stone to see how it performed in real life.
This next one I cut a few years ago, and kind of misplaced it. It's a Songea Sapphire that has been Be-heat treated, and concave cut.
Lastly, this Color Change Garnet is available.
New Photos
25/10/09 23:25
Two
new stones tonight, and a new surface to photograph
the stones on. I was in the Dollar Store the other
day, and picked up this small mirror. Let me know
if you like this surface better for the pictures
than what I was using before. This will let you see
the girdle thickness, and a bit of the pavilion all
in the same photo.
First up is a new Tsavorite Garnet. A very intense chrome green colored stone from Lemshuko Tsavorite Mine in Tanzania.
Next is a "Change Color Garnet". The stone is 3.14 cts. This color is about the half way point of the color change, with the stone going more red in incandescent light, and more purple/blue in daylight.
First up is a new Tsavorite Garnet. A very intense chrome green colored stone from Lemshuko Tsavorite Mine in Tanzania.
Next is a "Change Color Garnet". The stone is 3.14 cts. This color is about the half way point of the color change, with the stone going more red in incandescent light, and more purple/blue in daylight.
Mid October New stones
19/10/09 20:37
4
New Stones Tonight
A mixed bag of stones for today. The first one is a Zircon from Tanzania. When these stones are found, they are a rootbeer brown color. They are often heated right at the mining area as all that is needed is a candle. I heat mine after cutting, and do it in an oven so I can control the temperature better. The color on this one is a very nice yellow, and in person has a lot of dispersion... looks like a yellow diamond. (No you are not crosseyed! Zircon is double refractive, so each facet shows up 2 times. This effect is more pronounced in photo's than in real life however)
This next stone is a Lake Baringo Ruby from Kenya. These are fantastic stones, but are always very small. Any thing over 1 ct is very very rare. I had made friends over the internet with a fellow in Kenya, and had told him I was going to visit Arusha Tanzania. I get a knock on my door one night, and there he is with 3 friends. They had a small bag of these rubies and one very large tsavorite. The tsavorite was too dark, and included, and the rubies were too small for me to work with. I felt bad since they had traveled so far, so I picked out the 3 largest stones, and then gave them money for a room and a bus ride back home the next day. So here is the first of the 3 stones.
Call it a ruby or call it sapphire, the color is unique and you will never see this in a jewerly store around your house.
Next are 2 garnets, both from Tanzania, one Spessartite, and one Rhodolite. No boring story with these...
A mixed bag of stones for today. The first one is a Zircon from Tanzania. When these stones are found, they are a rootbeer brown color. They are often heated right at the mining area as all that is needed is a candle. I heat mine after cutting, and do it in an oven so I can control the temperature better. The color on this one is a very nice yellow, and in person has a lot of dispersion... looks like a yellow diamond. (No you are not crosseyed! Zircon is double refractive, so each facet shows up 2 times. This effect is more pronounced in photo's than in real life however)
This next stone is a Lake Baringo Ruby from Kenya. These are fantastic stones, but are always very small. Any thing over 1 ct is very very rare. I had made friends over the internet with a fellow in Kenya, and had told him I was going to visit Arusha Tanzania. I get a knock on my door one night, and there he is with 3 friends. They had a small bag of these rubies and one very large tsavorite. The tsavorite was too dark, and included, and the rubies were too small for me to work with. I felt bad since they had traveled so far, so I picked out the 3 largest stones, and then gave them money for a room and a bus ride back home the next day. So here is the first of the 3 stones.
Call it a ruby or call it sapphire, the color is unique and you will never see this in a jewerly store around your house.
Next are 2 garnets, both from Tanzania, one Spessartite, and one Rhodolite. No boring story with these...
Green Binge
10/10/09 17:19
I
went on a short green binge, cutting my favorite
stone; Tsavorite
Garnet.
Both these stones are from Tanzania, and are from rought I bought while in Arusha this summer. The first one is a smaller stone thats very affordable, cut in a square step design.
This next one is from the Swala Gem Traders mine in Tanania. Excellenct color and crystal and size. It's rare to obtain fine tsavorite over 1 ct, well this one is 2.33 cts.
Both these stones are from Tanzania, and are from rought I bought while in Arusha this summer. The first one is a smaller stone thats very affordable, cut in a square step design.
This next one is from the Swala Gem Traders mine in Tanania. Excellenct color and crystal and size. It's rare to obtain fine tsavorite over 1 ct, well this one is 2.33 cts.
Latest News
08/10/09 22:56
There seems to be some confusion with my new
grading system. Since the early spring of 2009 I
have moved to this new system based on Color,
Clarity and Brilliance. Not all three are a 1-10
scale. This is all explained on the information page, but
I think a lot of people never "read the fine
print", so I'm expaining the grading system
here again.
Color is the most important and complex to grade. Color is made up of three components, hue, saturation and tone. Color will be graded on a scale of 1 to 10 taking these three factors into consideration.
Clarity is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being loop clean under a 10X loop.
10 = Loop Clean
8 = Eye Clean
6 = Slightly Included
4 = Moderately Included
2 = Heavily Included
Values between are used when the stone is either a bit cleaner or less clean. It's very rare to find any stone score a 10 for clarity. 7 and higher makes for a very nice stone.
Brilliance - will be a combination of Cut, Sparkle, light return, Proportion and Crystal.
Graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best.
Total Quality Rating - Is the combined score of these 3 with a possible best score of 10
1-5: Low end commercial
6-7: Better quality commercial
8-8.5: Fine quality
8.5-9.5: Very fine quality
9.5-10: What the trade calls "gem"
One new stone tonight, this is a mint green tourmaline for a new find in Nigeria. Nigeria is pretty famous for producing a variety of colors of tourmaline, but this is first I have seen this color. Hopefully this is just the start of these stones.
Color is the most important and complex to grade. Color is made up of three components, hue, saturation and tone. Color will be graded on a scale of 1 to 10 taking these three factors into consideration.
Clarity is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being loop clean under a 10X loop.
10 = Loop Clean
8 = Eye Clean
6 = Slightly Included
4 = Moderately Included
2 = Heavily Included
Values between are used when the stone is either a bit cleaner or less clean. It's very rare to find any stone score a 10 for clarity. 7 and higher makes for a very nice stone.
Brilliance - will be a combination of Cut, Sparkle, light return, Proportion and Crystal.
Graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best.
Total Quality Rating - Is the combined score of these 3 with a possible best score of 10
1-5: Low end commercial
6-7: Better quality commercial
8-8.5: Fine quality
8.5-9.5: Very fine quality
9.5-10: What the trade calls "gem"
One new stone tonight, this is a mint green tourmaline for a new find in Nigeria. Nigeria is pretty famous for producing a variety of colors of tourmaline, but this is first I have seen this color. Hopefully this is just the start of these stones.
Tanzanian Garnet
05/10/09 22:09
Here's a new garnet, form a small parcel I bought
in Tanzania. These were very different from any
other garnet I have had. The color is a lighter
pink with lavender, and has a softness to it. The
shapes of the stones were add, and there were not
many, nor very large, but I couldn't pass on the
color.
I'm not sure how to classify the stone, the Refractive index is 1.738, which would indicate pyrope, but the color is too light and pink. The spectra is similar to Almandine, but then the RI is too low. Tanzania is know for many type of garnets, and mixes of them, and this is another odd one.
I'm not sure how to classify the stone, the Refractive index is 1.738, which would indicate pyrope, but the color is too light and pink. The spectra is similar to Almandine, but then the RI is too low. Tanzania is know for many type of garnets, and mixes of them, and this is another odd one.
Last Stones for September
30/09/09 21:16
That last Peridot motivated me to
cut another one. For some reason I don't cut
much peridot, as it never seemed to sell well,
but lately I've had a few people ask about it.
This one is another stone from Pakistan that
produces really nice peridot in a clean Apple
Green Color.
This next one is a Pink Tourmaline from Africa, cut in a classic cushion cut. This one is over 5 cts.
This next one is a Pink Tourmaline from Africa, cut in a classic cushion cut. This one is over 5 cts.
New Stones
20/09/09 20:59
I got 2 stones cut before the Buffalo Bills
football game today. These are both per request, so
they are not up for sale, unless the the customers
decline them.
The first is a Peridot from Pakistan, 3.46 ct.
This second one is another of the yellow Grossular garnets I bought in Tanzania this summer. This one is just shy of 2 cts.
The first is a Peridot from Pakistan, 3.46 ct.
This second one is another of the yellow Grossular garnets I bought in Tanzania this summer. This one is just shy of 2 cts.
Stones from Tanzania
18/09/09 21:13
3 New stones all from Tanzania. The first is one of
the Spessartite
garnets, with a very bright fanta orange
color. Nice sized stone.
Next is a Rhodolite Garnet, cut in a simple step type emerald cut.
This last one is an Umba Sapphire - all natural, no heat, cut in my Star 80 design.
Next is a Rhodolite Garnet, cut in a simple step type emerald cut.
This last one is an Umba Sapphire - all natural, no heat, cut in my Star 80 design.
Septembers first stones
01/09/09 22:31
It's been awhile since I posted any new stones.
These four are all from my July trip to Tanzania.
The first is a large Red Zircon. You don't see
many of these, nor many nice large ones. This
stone is 13.62 cts with a lot more life than
shows in the picture.
Next is another of the Mahenge Spinels. If you are on my list, you will be getting an email with this stone on offer.
Another Tanzanian Spessartite Garnet. These look much cleaner in person than the pictures. A very bright stone.
This last one is a 2.56 ct Chrome Green Tourmaline.
Next is another of the Mahenge Spinels. If you are on my list, you will be getting an email with this stone on offer.
Another Tanzanian Spessartite Garnet. These look much cleaner in person than the pictures. A very bright stone.
This last one is a 2.56 ct Chrome Green Tourmaline.
New stones from Tanzania
15/08/09 15:27
Four new stones today, all from my recent trip to
Tanzania. I have been working out a new round
design that has a larger spread on the pavilion
facets than the traditional SRB (standard round
brilliant). What this does is create a bit larger
main facet, that reduces extinction, and increases
the color perception. These new rounds are both cut
with this style.
This first Merelani Mint Garnet is not to be missed, this stone has everything going for it. The picture doesn't do it justice, in person it shows quite a bit of dispersion.
Spinel from Mahenge
Tanzanite
Chrome Green Tourmaline. The color on this in person is much more intense. The digital camera can not reproduce chrome green well.
This first Merelani Mint Garnet is not to be missed, this stone has everything going for it. The picture doesn't do it justice, in person it shows quite a bit of dispersion.
Spinel from Mahenge
Tanzanite
Chrome Green Tourmaline. The color on this in person is much more intense. The digital camera can not reproduce chrome green well.
And the Garnets from Tanzania roll on...
05/08/09 21:45
Two more garnets from my recent trip to Tanzania.
This first one is a large spessartite. These
stones from Tanzania are never totally clean,
they all have some small "sugar" type
inclusions that really show up much more in
photos that in person. This one has a few
larger inclusions too that are eye visible,
and it's priced accordingly. I think you will
be shocked when you see how low the price is
for a stone that is over 6 cts.
This next garnet was kind of an odd find. One of the miners brought in a very small parcel of these, none of them very large, but the color was quite odd. They are a much lighter pink, with a color shift going to a light purple color. This is the first of them that I have cut. It's 1.82 cts.
This next garnet was kind of an odd find. One of the miners brought in a very small parcel of these, none of them very large, but the color was quite odd. They are a much lighter pink, with a color shift going to a light purple color. This is the first of them that I have cut. It's 1.82 cts.
Latest Cut stones from Tanzania
28/07/09 19:09
A spinel from the famous
Mahenge mine in Morogoro Tanzania. The color
on these stones is just fantastic, they
actually glow. This is cut in a fancy oval
shape that measures 5.37 x 6.99. There was a
bubble type inclusion that opened up on one of
the crown facets. You can see this with the
small black spot in the bottom of the photo.
The black stuff is actually polish gunk, that
should wash out in an ultrasonic cleaner. I
think if put into a prong setting, the prong
would cover this spot, but I have priced the
stone accordingly. A great opportunity to own
one of these spinels at a low price. Very nice
crystal.
This one of the Spessartite garnets from the now depleted Loliondo discovery in Tanzania. I was able to buy a nice parcel of some of the cleanest of these stones I have seen in my recent trip to Tanzania. I cut this one in a classic square cushion shape, measuring 7.5 mm. Faces up very clean to the naked eye.
This one of the Spessartite garnets from the now depleted Loliondo discovery in Tanzania. I was able to buy a nice parcel of some of the cleanest of these stones I have seen in my recent trip to Tanzania. I cut this one in a classic square cushion shape, measuring 7.5 mm. Faces up very clean to the naked eye.
Latest Cut stones
21/06/09 21:43
Three new stones this weekend.
This first one is something you don't see too often. These are called Umba Garnets, since they are found in the Umba region of Tanzania. Kind of an odd garnet, when they are rough they look quite different than cut. Cut they are very red with a slight orange tint. The refractive index on this one is 1.745 which would suggest a pyrope almandine mix or a pyrope spessartine mix since the spectra looks quit similar to a spessartine garnet. This one is a large stone weighing over 8 cts.
Next up is a purple spinel from Tanzania
and a concave cut light pink tourmaline from Nigeria.
This first one is something you don't see too often. These are called Umba Garnets, since they are found in the Umba region of Tanzania. Kind of an odd garnet, when they are rough they look quite different than cut. Cut they are very red with a slight orange tint. The refractive index on this one is 1.745 which would suggest a pyrope almandine mix or a pyrope spessartine mix since the spectra looks quit similar to a spessartine garnet. This one is a large stone weighing over 8 cts.
Next up is a purple spinel from Tanzania
and a concave cut light pink tourmaline from Nigeria.
Newest Stones
18/06/09 22:02
Two new stones this time, a Sapphire from Umba
Tanzania, and a Nigerian Cuprian Tourmaline.
This sapphire has a color change from blue to purple, with it more blue in daylight, and purple in incandescent light. Much nicer stone in person, the picture just doesn't do this on justice.
I'm shutting down the Members Only page. Too many people are forgetting their login names or passwords, and I'm spending too much time resending this information out, and not cutting stones. From now on, all new stones will be posted here, and also on the proper pages.
This sapphire has a color change from blue to purple, with it more blue in daylight, and purple in incandescent light. Much nicer stone in person, the picture just doesn't do this on justice.
I'm shutting down the Members Only page. Too many people are forgetting their login names or passwords, and I'm spending too much time resending this information out, and not cutting stones. From now on, all new stones will be posted here, and also on the proper pages.
Zircon from Tanzania
26/05/09 20:14
Just finished this one up tonight. It's a honey
orange Zircon from Tanzania.
What's really nice about this one is that it's
all natural and not heated. About 90% of the
honey zircons from Tanzania need to be heated
but not this one. The stone weighs 5.24 cts
and is cut in my "Pineapple cut".
Two Ovals
21/05/09 19:33
Two new oval stones to be posted today and a
diamond checker board crown stone. The first one is
a blue sapphire from Lodwar
Kenya Africa. This is an all natural, unheated
stone. These Lodwar sapphires are a dark blue,
but not that inky almost black you see in most
mall jewelry stores. A nice size stone,
weighing just under 2 cts.
Next is a spessartite garnet from Nigeria. This stone has terrific color which doesn't photograph well. Looks good in any light. The image greatly exagerates the small veils and inclusions, the stone faces up to the eye clean. 2.37 cts,
This last one is a minty green with a touch of blue tourmaline from Mozambique Africa. It's cut in unique pointed round with a diamond checker crown. This cut can be mounted in a standard 4 prong round mounting. The stone is 1.38 cts.
Next is a spessartite garnet from Nigeria. This stone has terrific color which doesn't photograph well. Looks good in any light. The image greatly exagerates the small veils and inclusions, the stone faces up to the eye clean. 2.37 cts,
This last one is a minty green with a touch of blue tourmaline from Mozambique Africa. It's cut in unique pointed round with a diamond checker crown. This cut can be mounted in a standard 4 prong round mounting. The stone is 1.38 cts.
New Stones for Mid May
10/05/09 12:08
May
Stimulus Sale
For the rest of the month of May, I am putting together a rather unorthodox sale. All stones with a Gem No between 1 and 600 are starting off at a minimum of 10% off. But it doesn't end here, this is just a starting point. The sale is a "make an offer sale". Sort of like Priceline when buying a travel ticket. Make an offer and I'll either accept it or reject it. If I accept it, I'll email you a Paypal invoice. You still have complete return privileges just like any other stone.
Latest Cut Stones
Two new tourmalines for today. This first one is a Nigerian Paraiba type tourmaline, often called "Pariaba-Africana". The stone has been heated to produce the neon blue color. A nice ring size at 6.62 mm.
The next stone, also from Nigeria is a pink tourmaline, unheated. This stone has a nicer color and look than the photo, especially in natural light. A larger stone (9+ mm) at a great price.
A new Malaya Garnet from Tanzania.
For the rest of the month of May, I am putting together a rather unorthodox sale. All stones with a Gem No between 1 and 600 are starting off at a minimum of 10% off. But it doesn't end here, this is just a starting point. The sale is a "make an offer sale". Sort of like Priceline when buying a travel ticket. Make an offer and I'll either accept it or reject it. If I accept it, I'll email you a Paypal invoice. You still have complete return privileges just like any other stone.
Latest Cut Stones
Two new tourmalines for today. This first one is a Nigerian Paraiba type tourmaline, often called "Pariaba-Africana". The stone has been heated to produce the neon blue color. A nice ring size at 6.62 mm.
The next stone, also from Nigeria is a pink tourmaline, unheated. This stone has a nicer color and look than the photo, especially in natural light. A larger stone (9+ mm) at a great price.
A new Malaya Garnet from Tanzania.
First new stones of May
02/05/09 20:43
Two new stones for today.
This one is a pink tourmaline from Nigeria, cut in an octagon shape.
A Malaya garnet from Tanzania.
This one is a pink tourmaline from Nigeria, cut in an octagon shape.
A Malaya garnet from Tanzania.
New stones on Tax day
15/04/09 21:27
Three new stones today. 2 Malaya garnets
with excellent color, and a large round
pink spinel from
Tajikistan.
New Colors for April
09/04/09 21:12
I have a few new stones this week, in some pretty
spring colors.
First up is a hot neon Rubellite Tourmaline that is 2.23 cts.
This next stone is a Tsavorite Garnet, just over 2 cts.
A smaller green tourmaline
Blue zircon
Rhodolite Garnet cut in an antique cushion
And this last stone.... A very unique stone. This one is a tourmaline that is almost completely colorless except for some blue color right in the culet. Buy cutting it this way the color will reflect and fill the stone.
First up is a hot neon Rubellite Tourmaline that is 2.23 cts.
This next stone is a Tsavorite Garnet, just over 2 cts.
A smaller green tourmaline
Blue zircon
Rhodolite Garnet cut in an antique cushion
And this last stone.... A very unique stone. This one is a tourmaline that is almost completely colorless except for some blue color right in the culet. Buy cutting it this way the color will reflect and fill the stone.
Tourmaline - Spinel - Sapphire - #@$%
04/04/09 16:53
I’ve been trying to squeeze in a few stones for the
website lately, as I have not had time to post many
new stones.
This first one is a sunset tourmaline from Tanzania, with a strong dichroism that shows up as a two tone effect. 8 mm.
Next is another of the Mahenge Spinels. These are just beautiful stones, with a neon hot pink. If only they were larger. This on is 0.59 ct.s
This next stone is an unheated sapphire from Songea Tanzania. It’s sized to fit in a 7 mm standard setting. Kind of a denim blue color.
This last one, a Tanzanite, was a real risk. While cutting it, I could see a veil that ran around in the stone, it wouldn’t be noticeable at all to the naked eye, but did pose a risk when heating the stone. It’s a bout a 50/50 chance heating this kind of stone, but it needed to be heated since in it’s natural state it was brown. So of course the inclusions grew and became quite noticeable, but the color came out a very nice blue. So here it is at $65 way below what I paid for the rough. It would make a great deal for someone who is looking for color, or a gem collector not concerned with the inclusions. I’m thinking a pendant would work well since these are usually viewed from a distance.
APRIL SALE
For the month of April, I’m marking all the Oregon Sunstones down by 30%. If you are interested in one, either buy it with the shopping cart and I will refund you the 30% or email me, and I’ll send you an invoice with the sale price.
This first one is a sunset tourmaline from Tanzania, with a strong dichroism that shows up as a two tone effect. 8 mm.
Next is another of the Mahenge Spinels. These are just beautiful stones, with a neon hot pink. If only they were larger. This on is 0.59 ct.s
This next stone is an unheated sapphire from Songea Tanzania. It’s sized to fit in a 7 mm standard setting. Kind of a denim blue color.
This last one, a Tanzanite, was a real risk. While cutting it, I could see a veil that ran around in the stone, it wouldn’t be noticeable at all to the naked eye, but did pose a risk when heating the stone. It’s a bout a 50/50 chance heating this kind of stone, but it needed to be heated since in it’s natural state it was brown. So of course the inclusions grew and became quite noticeable, but the color came out a very nice blue. So here it is at $65 way below what I paid for the rough. It would make a great deal for someone who is looking for color, or a gem collector not concerned with the inclusions. I’m thinking a pendant would work well since these are usually viewed from a distance.
APRIL SALE
For the month of April, I’m marking all the Oregon Sunstones down by 30%. If you are interested in one, either buy it with the shopping cart and I will refund you the 30% or email me, and I’ll send you an invoice with the sale price.
Mint Green Garnet
24/03/09 22:52
One
new stone for the day... something I don’t cut too
often. This one is a Mint Green Grossularite
Garnet 2.69
ct. These stones come from Tanzania, and are
found in the same area as the Tanzanite.
New Mahenge Spinel
16/03/09 19:52
I’ve been busy doing some garnets, but slipped in
this spinel over the weekend.
This one is from the Mahenge area in Morogoro
Tanzania. A very hot pink color, that gets a
bit more red in incandescent light, and more
pink in florescent.
1.04 cts.
New Grading System
For all stones posted after March 16, 2009 this grading system will be used. Stones previously posted will still have the 1-5 grade system.
Color is the most important and complex to grade. Color is made up of three components, hue, saturation and tone. Color will be graded on a scale of 1 to 10 taking these three factors into consideration.
Clarity is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being loop clean under a 10X loop.
10 = Loop Clean
8 = Eye Clean
6 = Slightly Included
4 = Moderately Included
2 = Heavily Included
Values between are used when the stone is either a bit cleaner or less clean. It's very rare to find any stone score a 10 for clarity. 7 and higher makes for a very nice stone.
Brilliance - will be a combination of Cut, Sparkle, light return, Proportion and Crystal.
Graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best.
Total Quality Rating - Is the combined score of these 3 with a possible best score of 10
1-5: Low end commercial
6-7: Better quality commercial
8-8.5: Fine quality
8.5-9.5: Very fine quality
9.5-10: What the trade calls "gem"
1.04 cts.
New Grading System
For all stones posted after March 16, 2009 this grading system will be used. Stones previously posted will still have the 1-5 grade system.
Color is the most important and complex to grade. Color is made up of three components, hue, saturation and tone. Color will be graded on a scale of 1 to 10 taking these three factors into consideration.
Clarity is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being loop clean under a 10X loop.
10 = Loop Clean
8 = Eye Clean
6 = Slightly Included
4 = Moderately Included
2 = Heavily Included
Values between are used when the stone is either a bit cleaner or less clean. It's very rare to find any stone score a 10 for clarity. 7 and higher makes for a very nice stone.
Brilliance - will be a combination of Cut, Sparkle, light return, Proportion and Crystal.
Graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best.
Total Quality Rating - Is the combined score of these 3 with a possible best score of 10
1-5: Low end commercial
6-7: Better quality commercial
8-8.5: Fine quality
8.5-9.5: Very fine quality
9.5-10: What the trade calls "gem"
New Stones
16/02/09 22:11
It seems like it has been a long time since I
posted anything new here. I have been cutting
several stones for special requests, but did manage
to cut some stones for the site.
I don’t cut too many Tanzanite, since they are very expensive to buy in the rough, and you never know how they will turn out after heating, but I did buy a few piece this year, and here’s the first one. It’s a 1.52 ct stone.
This next stone is one of the Spinels from the famed Mahenge area in Morogoro Tanzania. The color is just fantastic on this stone. The picture can’t capture it. 0.8 ct.s
A new Zircon for Tanzania. These are very very dark red stones that are gently heated to lighten them up. In incandescent light, the stone gets a bit more pink. 4.46 ct.s
This last one is an Umbalite garnet, cut in my Star 80 design. It measures 8.24 mm and weights 2.59 cts
I don’t cut too many Tanzanite, since they are very expensive to buy in the rough, and you never know how they will turn out after heating, but I did buy a few piece this year, and here’s the first one. It’s a 1.52 ct stone.
This next stone is one of the Spinels from the famed Mahenge area in Morogoro Tanzania. The color is just fantastic on this stone. The picture can’t capture it. 0.8 ct.s
A new Zircon for Tanzania. These are very very dark red stones that are gently heated to lighten them up. In incandescent light, the stone gets a bit more pink. 4.46 ct.s
This last one is an Umbalite garnet, cut in my Star 80 design. It measures 8.24 mm and weights 2.59 cts
Last Garnet for January
31/01/09 15:13
This will be the last Garnet for the month of
January. It’s one of the new Malaya garnets I
picked up 2 weeks ago from Tanzania. This one
is cut in my “Precision Gem 80 Star” round
shape. Perfect color and cut. (That little
orange spot on the top is just a reflection.)
This next one is one of the Nigerian Paraiba type Tourmalines. Right now it’s in the oven being heated. All of these Paraiba type stones will be shipped to R.W. Wise Goldsmiths, so if you are interested in one you can contact Richard. This way you will get Richard’s expert evaluation and grading on the stone. The stone is over 4 cts. and is cut in an opposed bar design. Look for it on Richard’s site in the next few weeks.
This next one is one of the Nigerian Paraiba type Tourmalines. Right now it’s in the oven being heated. All of these Paraiba type stones will be shipped to R.W. Wise Goldsmiths, so if you are interested in one you can contact Richard. This way you will get Richard’s expert evaluation and grading on the stone. The stone is over 4 cts. and is cut in an opposed bar design. Look for it on Richard’s site in the next few weeks.
A few more Garnets for January
28/01/09 21:41
I felt like cutting something fun, and wanted to
keep with the garnets for a few more days. This is
a new frosted star design I worked out, and this
Umbalite Garnet was
the perfect shaped stone for it. This one
weighs 3.39 cts. and measures 8.82 mm. It’s a
real bugger to photograph, it looks much nicer
in person, and does have a lot of flash. All
the white specs are dust, the stone is loop
clean.
A small parcel of Mali Garnets arrived yesterday, and I just had to cut one. If you have never seen one of these in person, they look like yellow/green diamonds. The Mali Garnet has a tremendous amount of dispersion. This first one is 1.59 ct. and measures 7.09 mm.
A small parcel of Mali Garnets arrived yesterday, and I just had to cut one. If you have never seen one of these in person, they look like yellow/green diamonds. The Mali Garnet has a tremendous amount of dispersion. This first one is 1.59 ct. and measures 7.09 mm.
Two New Garnets
25/01/09 19:27
What better way to end out January than with a few
Garnets, the birthstone for the month. Garnets are
one of my favorite stones to cut too. The first on
is an Umbalite Garnet from
Tanzania, the first stone to be cut from the
parcel I just got last week.
This next stone is a new Malaya Garnet from Tanzania with excellent color, cut in a SRB. Photographed straight on, and then with a slight tilt.
This next stone is a new Malaya Garnet from Tanzania with excellent color, cut in a SRB. Photographed straight on, and then with a slight tilt.
Newest Stones
21/01/09 21:56
Just a couple of new stones, as I was away for the
weekend on a buying trip. I met with my main
supplier from East Africa, and picked up some very
nice stones, this red zircon being one. I was able
to buy 4 very top color Tsavorite garnets, just
perfect color, zircon, some excellent color Malaya
garnets from Tanzania, a few Tanzanites, Umba
garnet, beautiful color Umbalite Garnet and some
Blue Sapphire from Songea and Kenya.
Here’s the new Red zircon
And a Asscher cut Purple Scapolite from Tanzania.
This is one of the Copper bearing Cuprian tourmalines from Nigeria. These are sometimes called Pariaba-Africana. This one is in the oven right now being heated, but I wanted to show the color right after cutting and before heating. We’ll keep our fingers crossed on how it will come out.
Below is a photo of the stone after heating. The color came out fantastic! Most of the stones don’t heat this well, and it’s always a big gamble... to heat or not to heat!
Here’s the new Red zircon
And a Asscher cut Purple Scapolite from Tanzania.
This is one of the Copper bearing Cuprian tourmalines from Nigeria. These are sometimes called Pariaba-Africana. This one is in the oven right now being heated, but I wanted to show the color right after cutting and before heating. We’ll keep our fingers crossed on how it will come out.
Below is a photo of the stone after heating. The color came out fantastic! Most of the stones don’t heat this well, and it’s always a big gamble... to heat or not to heat!
Two new stones, and some new rough arriving on Wednesday
12/01/09 22:10
Two new stones this week, the first is a
Chrysoberyl from Tanzania. The color and flash are
nicer in person, and the picture can’t show the
dispersion. This one is cut in the classic Royal
Asscher cut. 2.44 ct.
This next stone is cut on request, so it’s not posted for sale, unless the customer decides not to take it. It’s an Umbalite Garnet cut in a cushion shape. The weight on this one is 3.10 ct.
I have some new rough coming in from Nigeria. It should be here on Wednesday this week, including some of the Nigerian Paraiba type tourmaline. I have no idea of the quality as this is a new source for me, but we shall see....
This next stone is cut on request, so it’s not posted for sale, unless the customer decides not to take it. It’s an Umbalite Garnet cut in a cushion shape. The weight on this one is 3.10 ct.
I have some new rough coming in from Nigeria. It should be here on Wednesday this week, including some of the Nigerian Paraiba type tourmaline. I have no idea of the quality as this is a new source for me, but we shall see....
New Stones
08/01/09 17:57
Two new stone for the day. The first is a Malaya Garnet from
Madagascar, with very nice color. 6.9 mm so it
will fit well into a standard 7 mm finding.
The next stone is an all natural unheated Sapphire from the Umba Valley in Tanzania.
This on is 6.77 mm and 1.63 cts.
The next stone is an all natural unheated Sapphire from the Umba Valley in Tanzania.
This on is 6.77 mm and 1.63 cts.
Honey Zircon 7 sided Asscher
04/01/09 13:29
I wanted to try something different, and since
Asscher cuts are so popular with the people on
Pricescope, I tried doing a 7 sided Asscher cut.
Now this is a bit different from a traditional
Asscher as each tier has the same angle all around.
The stone is a zircon from Tanzania
Africa. These stones are a honey brown color,
but can be heated with very low temperature
over a candle flame to change them to yellow.
Below are the before and after heating colors.
I’m not posting this one for sale yet, as sometimes the color drifts back a bit after a day, and I need to heat it again.
This is a new Spessartite Garnet from East Africa. 6.6 mm, 1.36 ct., and a Tsavorite from Kenya that is .64 cts. Green is the hardest stone to photograph, especially the intense ones like tsavorite and chrome tourmaline. In person this stone is just outstanding.
I’m not posting this one for sale yet, as sometimes the color drifts back a bit after a day, and I need to heat it again.
This is a new Spessartite Garnet from East Africa. 6.6 mm, 1.36 ct., and a Tsavorite from Kenya that is .64 cts. Green is the hardest stone to photograph, especially the intense ones like tsavorite and chrome tourmaline. In person this stone is just outstanding.
Rhodolite Garnet Concave Cut
04/12/08 21:07
I was feeling a bit “Asschered out” and needed to
cut something different. So I set up the concave
machine and did a concave round cut on this
rhodolite. This is
one of the stones from a small find in
Tanzania a few years ago that produced
excellent color, but not really large stones.
I bought about 20 of these, and they are just
about gone now.
This one is 2.09 cts. and measures 7.82 mm. Should fit nicely in a 8mm stock mounting.
This one is 2.09 cts. and measures 7.82 mm. Should fit nicely in a 8mm stock mounting.
Pink Tourmaline Cushion
02/12/08 21:05
Pink Tourmaline Asscher Cut
30/11/08 17:09
Just finished this one up today. It’s a 7.421 ct.
Pink Tourmaline
from Africa, loop clean. The stone measures
10.75 mm, and is cut in a Royal Asscher.
Available for sale.
Available for sale.
23/11/08 20:43
This weekends cutting...
A blue sapphire (3.11 ct.), Green tourmaline (.98 ct.), and Purple Scapolite (1.22 ct,), Peridot (2.39 ct.)
Some of these may be going to customers if not then they will be posted on the individual pages for sale in a day or two.
A blue sapphire (3.11 ct.), Green tourmaline (.98 ct.), and Purple Scapolite (1.22 ct,), Peridot (2.39 ct.)
Some of these may be going to customers if not then they will be posted on the individual pages for sale in a day or two.
I
02/11/08 20:23
I cut a few new stones this week. Some of them are
not for sales, since they were cut on request for
some customers, and one I cut as an anniversary
gift for my wife. Let’s start with that one. This
stone is an African “Ruby” from the Umba area of
Tanzania. While the African dealers would call it a
ruby, it’s more accurately called a red sapphire,
since there a purple tone in it. Anything you call
it, it’s a very pretty stone. It finished up at
2.96 ct, and is of course not heated or other
treatments. This one is destined to be in a ring.
This next stone is an Aquamarine from Kenya, that again has not been heated and is cut in a Royal Asscher cut.
The last stone here is a Rhodolite Garnet from Tanzania. I bought about 10 of these stones a few years ago, and is is the third to last one I have left. The color was very nice on these, a bit more grape like than most rhodolite. These stones didn’t come too large, and the find was worked out very quickly.
This next stone is an Aquamarine from Kenya, that again has not been heated and is cut in a Royal Asscher cut.
The last stone here is a Rhodolite Garnet from Tanzania. I bought about 10 of these stones a few years ago, and is is the third to last one I have left. The color was very nice on these, a bit more grape like than most rhodolite. These stones didn’t come too large, and the find was worked out very quickly.
Back to the wheel again!
04/10/08 16:28
It’s been a while since I posted any new stones. I
have just been very busy with other things, but now
I’m getting back to the cutting wheel full steam
ahead! Here’s a few of the latest stones. The first
one is an Oregon Sunstone. This
one is really nice color, with a very glassy
clean crystal.
This next one is a Grossularite garnet from Tanzania, in a nice deeper yellow orange color. This is kind of a modified Asscher cut.
This last stone is cut for a client, it’s one of the new pink spinels from the rough parcel shown a few entries back on the blog. I’m cutting a matching yellow sapphire to go with this stone as a set for a special ring.
This next one is a Grossularite garnet from Tanzania, in a nice deeper yellow orange color. This is kind of a modified Asscher cut.
This last stone is cut for a client, it’s one of the new pink spinels from the rough parcel shown a few entries back on the blog. I’m cutting a matching yellow sapphire to go with this stone as a set for a special ring.
New Spinel
02/09/08 22:08
Here’s a new design I made the other day. I had
this shape in mind, but wanted something a bit
different. The stone is tipped a bit in the
picture, and that’s why the culet looks off center,
but it’s not. The stone is a spinel from Morogoro
Tanzania, and weighs 1.72 cts.
A couple of new stones, and old stones converted to new stones
29/08/08 21:01
A few new stones; and Umba Sapphire, a small pink
sapphire from Madagascar, both all natural no heat,
a Spessartite garnet from Tanzania and some
tourmalines. These tourmalines have been up on the
site for a long time as dark red stones, maybe too
dark. So I put them in the oven, and heated them to
around 1000 degrees, and turned them this nice
pink. Maybe they will catch someone's eye now.
A few people have asked, so here’s the answer. The cut sapphire here, is not one that was pictured in the rough on my last blog posting. It’s from the same parcel, but not in the picture.
A few people have asked, so here’s the answer. The cut sapphire here, is not one that was pictured in the rough on my last blog posting. It’s from the same parcel, but not in the picture.
Pink Spinel from Tajikistan
08/07/08 20:21
Just finished up a new spinel. This is another
stone from Tajikistan that is 5.07 cts. Rather
large for these spinels. Here's an article by
Richard Hughes and Vincent Pardieu dealing with
ruby and these spinels from Tajikistan.
I haven't been slacking the past week, I was actually working on some stones for one of them members of the GemBusters forum. Here they are..
Try to guess what they are!
I haven't been slacking the past week, I was actually working on some stones for one of them members of the GemBusters forum. Here they are..
Try to guess what they are!
Sapphire Recut
19/05/08 20:02
This is a picture of a recut sapphire. I didn't get
around to taking a before picture, but it was the
typical native step cut. Lopsided, poor meets and a
deep belly along with a window.
For the recut I did a concave cut to bring out some more color from a light stone.
The finished stone is 3.12 ct.
For the recut I did a concave cut to bring out some more color from a light stone.
The finished stone is 3.12 ct.