cabin fever + camera = gem photos: new amethyst, plus collection

[cellentani]

I''m still snowed in after our mid-Atlantic snowstorm, but today is much better than yesterday because there''s SUN!! And what better way to pass the time than to get the camera out!

Here''s a snowy shot from a couple nights ago:

The storm prevented us from going anywhere for my birthday on Friday, but fortunately my surprise from Gary Braun arrived a couple days early:

 

[cellentani]

At first I wasn''t sure about this one - it goes a little dark in low light, but it''s just beautiful during the day.

 

[cellentani]

 

[cellentani]

9mm of gorgeous!

 

[cellentani]

 

[cellentani]

Next to my rose gold and morganite ring. I''m loving RG for this one!

 

[cellentani]

Depending on the light, and even the angle, you can see blue or red/purple flashes. Very cool.

 

[cellentani]

Left to right: Asscher zircon, cushion amethyst, and scissor/step cut spessartite.

 

[cellentani]

Trio!

 

[cellentani]

.

 

[jstarfireb]

Beautiful! I find it odd that the asscher is the shallowest of all the cuts you show. I thought asschers were known to be deep. Is it because of the high RI of the zircon (allowing cutters to go more shallow without a window)?

 

[oddoneout]

Lovely stones. I really like the cut of the amethyst.

 

[cellentani]

And now for some miscellaneous shots.

The 9.1mm asscher zircon in a setting from Intergem - still unset.

 

[cellentani]

Date: 2/7/2010 4:02:30 PM
Author: jstarfireb
Beautiful! I find it odd that the asscher is the shallowest of all the cuts you show. I thought asschers were known to be deep. Is it because of the high RI of the zircon (allowing cutters to go more shallow without a window)?

You are absolutely correct! The shallow depth is what first peaked my interest in this stone, and Gary said even a sapphire would require a deeper asscher cut.

 

[cellentani]

Sort of a profile...

 

[cellentani]

All in a row

 

[cellentani]

the Mahenge spinel in shaded natural light:

 

[cellentani]

Blasting full sun!

 

[cellentani]

 

[cellentani]

Okay, last one for now. Unless of course, I''m snowed tomorrow too!

 

[chrono]

Lovely range of colours! Uruguayan amethyst might be somewhat dark but nothing beats the blue and red flash that you can see.

 

[LD]

Oh hubba hubba hubba Cellentani!

I''m loving your Mahenge and the Intergem setting. I know it''s too big for the Mahenge but .............. *sigh*.

Your new Amethyst is very pretty and has a lovely cut. I can see what you mean about darkening but that''s a small price to pay for such a lovely gem. Very pretty. What are your plans?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Yummy collection! The mahenge is certainly eyecatching!

 

[movie zombie]

do you know the source location for your amethyst? on my monitor it appears to have both blue and red going on. i know the siberian mines ran out a long time ago but i have heard other source locations can exhibit this trait. you''re feedi my craving for one!

mz

 

[chrono]

MZ,
Only the Uruguay amethyst does both the blue and red flash at the same time, reminiscent of the Siberian material. I have a pair of Uruguay round amethysts cut by Richard Homer that does this too, but unfortunately, my photography skills are so poor that I am unable to show any flash at all.

 

[Fly Girl]

Thank you so much for the eye candy, cellentani! Love the Mahenge, the new ammy, and the zircon.

What a gorgeous collection you have.

 

[Arkteia]

I think I was the first one to respond to this post but for some reason it did not get through. (Why? There was no politics or anything that would be frowned upon). Well, wonderful stone, and such a beautiful cut! I also loved the green stone on your photograph. I bet you already showed it, but can I ask you what it is?

 

[kas baby]

love it when you have picture heavy threads. imo you take some of the best and I never tire of seeing your lovely collection.

your ammy is gorgeous!

 

[Kunzite]

Cellentani you have an amazing collection!! I love the idea of purple in rose gold

 

[icekid]

cellentani- You always take such wonderful photos! Love the new ammy. And glad you were able to pass the storm with a photo shoot, too