Gem Cutters

[spinel]

I closed this thread and open a new one: "Rough Cutting" for the convenience of lightness. Spinel.

Please help. I am looking for a gem faceter, preferably nearby New York or New England area. Thanks !

 

[spinel]

Thank strmrdr, "on the other coast" do you mean California? And where is based Richard Homer? Thank again.

 

[Matata]

Michael E is in Washington, Homer is in Ohio.

 

[Matata]

Michael Arnstein at Walter Arnstein won an AGTA award for a stone he cut. They're in NY: http://www.walterarnstein.com/

 

[Michael_E]

HI Spinel,
If you go to this site, http://www.usfacetersguild.org/ , and join the discussion group you can directly ask most of the cutters in the country if any of them are located close by and could help you. Do you have some rough to cut or do you need a repair on a stone ? If you could post a picture or describe what you need, I'm sure willing to help answer any questions that you might have.

 

[spinel]

Hi Michael. I have natural spinel and corundum roughs of unusual size.I am looking for a cutter with who that I can participate in the cutting process particularly during the studying and design phase of the project. I will send you a private message. Best regards, spinel.

 

[spinel]

I am pleased to share with you some photos. Corundum 265ct. Back side.

 

[spinel]

Upper view

 

[spinel]

corundum roughs good to produce faceted rubys 2 to 3 carats

 

[spinel]

This is spinel. For PS friends only and thanks.

 

[spinel]

5.15ct spinel cut from 60ct rough

 

[spinel]

pavillion view

 

[Michael_E]

Spinel,
That is absolutely beautiful rough ! I've sent you a message also.

 

[WinkHPD]

WOW! Thank you for sharing those pictures!

Wink

 

[spinel]

Hi Wink, You are welcome. It will be a pleasure for me posting photos of my rough and cut stones along with the name of the artist cutter. Spinel.

 

[spinel]

Just to mention, the 5.25ct spinel was cut by Yves St-Pierre, Montreal, Canada. It took him two weeks looking at the rough - during the coffee time of course, and two days for cutting. Spinel.

 

[wonka27]

Spinel -

Are you a gem collector? I think that is cool if you are...finding your own rough and then having it cut. It seems to me it would create a personal link between you and the gem.

 

[spinel]

Hi Wonka, yes I am a gem collector and saler but I dont do direct saling. You are right, I feel like having a personal link between the gem and I. Consider myself very lucky to be involved in the whole process of the gem creation, from start to finish. I can even trace back to the spot of earth where the stone was born and have a complete history of it. Best wishes, Spinel.

 

[wonka27]

That is awesome.

I am looking to start collecting gems and that idea of working through the whole process really hit my mind. I know nothing right now, though, so I need to learn about gemstones first. Then maybe once I get comfortable I can learn about rough in order to purchase and send it to be cut for me.

Any suggestions for a newcomer?

 

[spinel]

Hi Wonka, I suggest you start by taking gemological courses ... But for sure your path will be different of mine. I live in western world for over 30 years and having some friends at the source. They asked me if I can do something to help them. By curiosity I start taking some unofficial courses from a friend gemologist and reading books, learning gems and their value. With some knowledge I talked to the (western) gem world with more and more confidence. It happenend the same with the source. And one day I came to the source with money and a BIG DOSE of risk. Regards, Spinel

 

[wonka27]

Thank you for the advice, spinel.

I am looking more just for a hobbie, not necessarily resale, so the risk factor may not be there. I just need to become educated, but I was hoping to one day find my own rough to have cut so I can have pieces that are very close to me in my collection.

Rich S. just posted a website with an unofficial online gemology course on it which I will definately consider.

 

[spinel]

New spinel roughs are being cut. Spinel.

 

[spinel]

Improved photographing. Sorry I dont know how to replace the previous photo. I took this photo under natural daylight, no any additional lighting. Spinel.

 

[spinel]

This is a color change spinel.

 

[spinel]

Pavillion view

 

[chrono]

Wow! I didn't know there is colour changing spinels. What colours are they? Blue to xx? What about relative cost/ct, quality and rarity?

 

[spinel]

The primary color is blue as in the photo which I took under in-door natural daylight. The color changes gradually to mauve (violet) under hot light. I know it is very rare find but I dont know the value. Someone can help? Spinel

 

[yowahking]

It seems to be pretty light in color and windows, so usually about $40 per ct if under 3 cts and $60 if from 3 to 6ct. A really saturated rich colorchanger will go as high as $250 pct and $300 pct for both sizes. I love color change stones, spinel, sapphire, garnet, and buy all I can.

 

[chrono]

I love colour changing stones too! My latest craze is the cc garnets. cc alex it way too costly for me to collect.

 

[ceylon blue]

hi spinel, thanks for sharing the photo's of your rough.
are they from vietnam or burma ?