From rough stone to the faceted gem...

[GregS]

Please share any details, pictures, vendors, cutters etc... I'm on a search of my own and would love to hear from other people and see what their results were.

 

[chrono]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/montana-sapphire-journey.210914/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/montana-sapphire-journey.210914/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/montana-sapphire-rough.201884/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/montana-sapphire-rough.201884/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/from-rough-to-me-new-jim-rentfrow-montana-sapphire.159069/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/from-rough-to-me-new-jim-rentfrow-montana-sapphire.159069/[/URL]

 

[GregS]

Thanks for the links, I was aware of those though. Unfortunately I'm not a fan of Montana Sapphire's, I was hoping to see some other examples.

 

[chrono]

Garnet show and tell:
https://www.pricescope.com/journal/gemstone-cutting-step-step

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Hi, GregS. I had a green-blue tourmaline - the one in my avatar - cut by Gene at precisiongem.com. It was an excellent experience; however, I don't have any pictures of the rough or of the cutting process. I do have pictures of the loose stone and the finished ring, if you're interested. He's actually cutting some Umba garnet rough for me.

 

[GregS]

Hi, GregS. I had a green-blue tourmaline - the one in my avatar - cut by Gene at precisiongem.com. It was an excellent experience; however, I don't have any pictures of the rough or of the cutting process. I do have pictures of the loose stone and the finished ring, if you're interested. He's actually cutting some Umba garnet rough for me.

I am absolutely interested, I think I remember your stone, if it's as nice as I remember it's worth seeing again and again. If you have spec.'s on the rough and finished stone that'd be appreciated too.

And thank you Chrono, I hadn't seen that! He got a good yield out of that stone, that's encouraging.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Thank you, GregS.

Here's my initial thread:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-would-you-set-an-asscher-cut-blue-zircon.204748/page-15']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-would-you-set-an-asscher-cut-blue-zircon.204748/page-15[/URL]
(If I were you, I'd start on page 15; hand shots are on 17 and 1

Finished stone:
5.915 cts
11.1mm

I attached a picture of the rough Gene had when I initially contacted him, but I know he's worked his way through most of it by now. I don't know which one was mine as I told him the size and clarity I wanted and he took it from there. More details are included in the thread above.

 

[chrono]

I am sorry I do not have the details of the process. It was estimated to cut anywhere from 3 to 5 carats and I was fortunate that it finished just above 5 cts.

 

[Acinom]

Hi Greg!
I have Sparkliesluver's sister stone. Here is my thread about my blue-green Afghan tourmaline: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-precision-gem-experience-a-green-blue-afghan-tourmaline.208467/[/URL]

I do not have any progress pics from the cutting process itself.

 

[chrono]

Calculate the yield on this one.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/01/prweb495411.htm

 

[blackprophet]

I am sorry I do not have the details of the process. It was estimated to cut anywhere from 3 to 5 carats and I was fortunate that it finished just above 5 cts.

Wow Chrono, what kind of stone is this?

ETA: saw the picture name its a Spess. Pretty impressive!

 

[chrono]

Blackprophet,
It is a Loliondo spessartite.

 

[GregS]

Some incredible stones posted here, that Afghan tourmaline is one of the stones I'm after. It's incredibly difficult to locate rough of quality. I suspect I will need to board a jet to Tucson this year if I want to have any real success locating decent rough on my own.

Chrono, that Spess. is crazy, is that from Jeff White?

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I completely understand. I contacted a ton of vendors over a period of months. Nothing (of interest). Then I contacted Gene again and he opened up to me about what he had. I still don't know why but I'm extremely thankful he did. He may have one or two smaller pieces left. Not sure what exactly you're wanting, but the quality is there.

 

[GregS]

I'm very close to taking the plunge on this Spinel and possibly the Tourmaline, not so sure about the Tourmaline though, I wish it wasn't zoned so badly. The Spinel is about 6 carats and the Tourm is 12.

 

[dk168]

Love the spinel.

I can see zoning in the Tourmaline and a hint of pink at one end, therefore, it could end up as a beautiful bi-colour stone after being cut.

DK

 

[Dioptase]

Do you have any experience buying rough? Because it's really tricky. Especially tourmaline: I've seen nice crystals cracking during cutting, sometimes even afterwards, in the safe.

 

[Acinom]

Beautiful spinel rough! What is the expected size after cutting?

In what kind of light/ setting are the photo's taken. Do you have an example of a cut stone from the same rough for the tourmaline? Personally I do not mind a 'bi-color' effect in stones, but if you do, I would pass on this one. What is the advice of the vendor/cutter?

 

[chrono]

There's a lot of inclusions to cut out of the tourmaline and I've seen such cracks grow and grow and grow... Tourmaline is pleochroic too, so depending on the orientation, it could end up a totally different colour unless a lot of weight is sacrificed. Rough is incredibly difficult to evaluate. Perhaps you've read these?
http://www.gemsociety.org/jewelry-lapidary/buying-cutting-evaluating-rough-gemstones/
http://facetingacademy.com/learn-faceting/learn-faceting-free/rough-class/

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I too debated that tourmaline, Greg. Decided against it because I wanted something richer in color, no zoning, and possibly better clarity. It really all depends what you're looking for/want. Are you working closely with a cutter?

 

[Dioptase]

Beautiful spinel rough! What is the expected size after cutting?

Rule of thumb: 1gram rough = 1ct finished stone.
It's super approximative of course, a well shaped and clean rough will deliver a much better yield.

 

[Acinom]

Beautiful spinel rough! What is the expected size after cutting?

Rule of thumb: 1gram rough = 1ct finished stone.
It's super approximative of course, a well shaped and clean rough will deliver a much better yield.

Ah, thank you for sharing this.

 

[Acinom]

Sapphirestyle's pink tourmaline: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/6-77-carat-pink-tourmaline-from-jeff-white.212000/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/6-77-carat-pink-tourmaline-from-jeff-white.212000/[/URL]

No photo of the rough, but there is a progress shot.

 

[mochiko42]

New post by Yvonne Raley may be of interest http://cecileraleydesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/from-rough-stone-to-cut-stone-part-i.html

 

[laurenk]

DHello this is my rough rose de France amethyst from start to polishes. Not set yet but I'm working on a design.

 

[Acinom]

Interesting read Mochiko.

Doug Menadue is cutting these for me. An electric blue and medium vivid topaz:

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Here's a couple pictures of my Umba garnet rough. Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Acinom]

Here's a couple pictures of my Umba garnet rough. Can't wait to see it finished.

Ah, how exciting for you Sparkliesluver. Really nice to see these progress pics

 

[PrecisionGem]

It's very difficult to buy rough from a picture, but based on looking at thousands of pieces of rough, both in person and in pictures, I wouldn't think there is any color zoning in that tourmaline. What you see in the pictures are reflections and differences in the surfaces. I don't think there is any pink in the stone either. With tourmaline, the C axis, down the length of the stone is often a much different hue than what you see across it.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Here's a couple pictures of my Umba garnet rough. Can't wait to see it finished.

Ah, how exciting for you Sparkliesluver. Really nice to see these progress pics

Thank you, Acinom! I also have new news: I just bought a piece of Montana sapphire rough. Blaze recently added it and something about it screamed "buy me!" ... so I did.

Dimensions: 10 x 8.4 x 4.7mm
VVS
No treatment, including heat

ETA: Greg, I know you're not a fan, but I wanted to share since I have all the details this time.