Gabi Tolkowsky has passed away

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

He was a living legend. A link to his great uncle who was the first to apply some math and science to diamond cut proportions.
Gabi had a personality larger than life and a humility in contrast.

Renowned Diamond Cutter Gabriel ‘Gabi’ Tolkowsky Dies

The Rapaport | TradeWire® is a weekly email packaging the Rapaport Market Comment, the RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™)

rapaport.com

 

[DejaWiz]

Rest in Peace, Gabi - thank you for continuing the legacy of diamond cut perfection bestowed upon the world by your great uncle Marcel.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Thanks for posting Garry.
Truly a remarkable man- and life.
He certainly made an impression on our industry- and in real life.

 

[Karl_K]

rip Gabi
Thank you for your contributions to the diamond world!

 

[monarch64]

RIP.

 

[Patty]

Sad…it sounds like he was a great guy.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Sad…it sounds like he was a great guy.

Larger than life and a deep thinker.
I invited Gabi to be keynote speaker at the First international Diamond Cut Conference held in Moscow in 2004.
I have taken a photo of his talk from the Proceedings.
I understand that many of you reading this are collectors and more expert than many in the industry. But please think about the wisdom of this amazing man.
A loss but only after his memory and achievements are forgotten.

 

[MissGotRocks]

RIP and thank you so much for your work!! So many of us here have reaped the benefit of it.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

I hope this video can be accessed. What a spirit!

Visionary Cutter Gabi Tolkowsky Dies

<p>Sir Gabriel “Gabi” Tolkowsky, the legendary craftsman whose skill at cutting diamonds was matched only by his passion extolling them, died on May 29. He was 84. Tolkowsky was a “pioneer and a master craftsman who understood the wonder of diamonds like few other people,” said a statement from...

www.jckonline.com

 

[hiratop]

Gaby designed the flower cuts. What kind of ASETs do these have?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Gaby designed the flower cuts. What kind of ASETs do these have?

They were designed and cut for different purposes. Gabi explained this to me the first time we met.
I was walking back to my Antwerp hotel at dusk after working late buying thousands of melee with an Ideal-Scope.
Gabi was walking the other way down the Hoovernslerstratt. I recognised him and called out Hello Mr Tolkowsky. Gabi replied, You're that young man from Australia. Mr Holloway?
He proceeded to give me a lecture about diamonds and what they mean, as opposed to my philosophy of what they are.
Feelings versus objects.
People like different diamonds for different reasons.
I had written here some criticisms of some of Gabi's diamond cuts, and he was well aware of my views and made a compelling case for the need for diversity.
Some people like rose cut diamonds which have most unusual light behaviour and totally fail ASET testing Hiratop.

 

[hiratop]

Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, perfect light return or not.

 

[Wink]

I hope this video can be accessed. What a spirit!

Visionary Cutter Gabi Tolkowsky Dies

<p>Sir Gabriel “Gabi” Tolkowsky, the legendary craftsman whose skill at cutting diamonds was matched only by his passion extolling them, died on May 29. He was 84. Tolkowsky was a “pioneer and a master craftsman who understood the wonder of diamonds like few other people,” said a statement from...

www.jckonline.com

Thank you for sharing this video with us. Several years ago, at the last JCK show I attended until this year, I had the pleasure of waiting near Mr. Tolkowsky’s booth until he was not talking with anyone and then went up and introduced myself. We spoke for only four or five minutes before I excused myself to allow those who came after me to speak with the Master. During the whole time, it was apparent how much he loved his work.

I mentioned to an associate how much I had enjoyed meeting Mr. Tolkowsky. He made a dismisssive comment about how, “Gaby never met a diamond he did not love.”

While my associate felt that was a fault, it was exactly that quality that made me feel special when I was with Mr. Tolkowsky. He was, as Garry and others have said, larger than life. Most importantly to many of us, he freely shared that largeness for anyone willing to listen and enjoy what he enjoyed.

I sincerely offer my condolences to his family and friends. More, I hope his son Jean Paul will continue in his footsteps and offer his own continuing contributions to the family legacy.