Recutting a sapphire

[Rosebloom]

I am thinking of resetting my engagement ring. If I do, I would be interested in looking into having the sapphire recut. It is a lovely velvety color in full sun but on the dark side indoors. Even in low light it has some electric blue flashes - it never goes completely dark. It has a slight window when off my finger but it is not noticeable (by me anyways!) when on. I would want to preserve as much of the face up size as possible.

Unfortunately I do not have our records from when we purchased the ring. It's approximately 6.5x6mm and it seems deep but I can't measure it in the setting.

Do you think it might be a candidate for a recut? Which lapidary would you recommend I contact regarding this?

 

[Rosebloom]

Another pic -

 

[NKOTB]

Dan Stair and Jerry from Gemart seem to be the "go to" guys when it comes to recutting.

 

[Rosebloom]

Thank you!

 

[LD]

Hang on a mo .................

What do you want to achieve by a recut? Are you trying to change/lighten the colour? If so, I'm not sure what you would achieve because if you want to preserve weight then a recut is NOT the way to go. Also, there's no guarantee that the stone would improve by a recut and because of its size I would hesitate.

It is a dark sapphire but it's very pretty. People think recutting a stone will often improve it and actually it's only a small percentage of stones that benefit from them.

The depth of the sapphire is also critical as to whether a recut is possible or not.

 

[innerkitten]

Yeah, I see what LD is saying. Maybe talk to some of the cutters mentioned above and see what they say?

 

[ChrisA222]

Im a huge advocate of recuts...but, if the window doesn't bother you, I don't see what benefit a recut would provide. It won't lighten the stone.

Maybe a lapidary will chime in...as I could be wrong.

 

[iLander]

Hang on a mo .................

What do you want to achieve by a recut? Are you trying to change/lighten the colour? If so, I'm not sure what you would achieve because if you want to preserve weight then a recut is NOT the way to go. Also, there's no guarantee that the stone would improve by a recut and because of its size I would hesitate.

It is a dark sapphire but it's very pretty. People think recutting a stone will often improve it and actually it's only a small percentage of stones that benefit from them.

The depth of the sapphire is also critical as to whether a recut is possible or not.

Agree, 100%.

 

[Rosebloom]

Very good to know. I guess I was wondering if it would increase the "sparkle." I'm totally fine with the window. I really love it as is - for sentimental reasons but also because its pretty. So I definitely don't want to loose size if it won't noticeably improve the stone in some way.

 

[colorluvr]

Recuts can be a crapshoot. I wouldn't do it to a nice looking stone that you loved unless it has lousy cut, a window that was still obvious when set, or some other obvious problem. Dan and Jerry are good about being honest up front about what they think they can and can't do to help a stone, but there is never any guarantees. This stone looks very nice as it is from the photos.

 

[corundum_conundrum]

OP: Are you afraid of weight loss? As it seemed you were suggesting in your original post, if you care only about face-up size, and not weight, a recut might not be a terrible idea. Perhaps you could ask about a pavilion only recut.

To all: Lightening the tone much is probably unlikely, but isn't increasing the sparkle off of properly angled facets a reasonable expectation? That is, if the stone is currently step cut, and you gave it a brilliant cut, wouldn't that increase sparkle?

OP: If you are planning to remove the stone from the setting anyway, I see no harm in sending an email with some dimensions along with some pictures to Dan or Jerry, explaining your goals in a recut (what improvements you hope to see from the stone etc) and seeing whether they they think those goals can be accomplished and get their guesses about weight loss. I imagine the current depth of your stone will be determinative in the feasibility of a good recut.

I'm neither advocating nor ruling out a recut, I'm just suggsting that maybe exploring the options with a cutter would be helpful in making a determination.

 

[chrono]

The pictures are too small to show enough information to gauge the benefits vs downsides of a recut. Firstly, I don't know if there is enough depth to work with. Secondly, I don't know if it is clean enough to rework on. Thirdly, I don't know if the window was deliberately cut to allow light through in an attempt to brighten a darker toned sapphire. I would suggest contacting the lapidary to ask what's possible and what's not.

 

[Rosebloom]

I am so grateful for your insight. You've given me much to think about. When it's time to reset and I pull the sapphire, I think I will be in touch with one of the cutters just in case they think it is worthwhile. I'll make sure to post before and afters if it does happen to get a makeover. Thank you again!