Recuttng a Colombian Emerald

[T L]

I have a 2 carat Colombian emerald that has a chip in it from when it was set around 16 years ago. I never had it fixed. It''s a very good transparency and fine color. I didn''t want to hijack the other emerald thread going on right now, so would anyone know if it''s a really bad idea to have it repolished/recut? I''m not worried about too much carat loss, and the chip really really disturbs me. I know I might get rid of some of the filler too, but would repolishing dull it if it has minor enhancement. Most of the filler has long ago dried up.

 

[chrono]

TL,
Where is the location of the chip? I presume it cannot be hidden under a prong? How large is the chip? Depending on the location, the carat weight loss and physical size loss can either be minimal or quite huge. Also, I wonder how a recut will affect the existing filling and surface fractures.

 

[Jim Rentfrow]

Two words - Gem Doctor. If he doesnt know I am not sure who would touch it. I am not supposed to make recommendations on who to use in the trade. But honestly, he is the only one I know to recommend for a recut like that. A lot of cutters will not recut certain gems due to liability, I am guessing this would be one.

 

[Valentino]

Garzon in NYC. Excel lab.

 

[serenitydiamonds]

I know a good cutter in NYC. Whether to cut or not depends on where the chip is and how large it is? If it''s in a place you can bezel or prong over, not really necessary then. I second excel on the treatment.

--Joshua

 

[T L]

I found someone who will cut it that has cut many emeralds before, and he said they actually look better after cutting due to the type of polish he uses for emeralds. My question is this, do they need to be refilled to look better if the polish is done well? I assume the recutting or repolishing removes much of the filler since it's on the surface of a more clean emerald.

 

[iLander]

TL: Jerry at Gemart Services does a lot of emerald work for jewelers, if you decide you need a second opinion.

 

[T L]

Date: 6/30/2010 10:01:27 PM
Author: iLander
TL: Jerry at Gemart Services does a lot of emerald work for jewelers, if you decide you need a second opinion.

Thanks iLander, he''s the one I was referring to above actually.

 

[Gailey]

Without a doubt, Tony Rees-Lloyd or is it Tony Lloyd-Rees, I can never remember. He is The Gem Doctor.

TL, if you go to Google videos and type in Emerald Restoration, you will bring up a video of Tony repairing an emerald. This guy wrote the book.

 

[serenitydiamonds]

Date: 6/30/2010 9:29:17 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
I found someone who will cut it that has cut many emeralds before, and he said they actually look better after cutting due to the type of polish he uses for emeralds. My question is this, do they need to be refilled to look better if the polish is done well? I assume the recutting or repolishing removes much of the filler since it''s on the surface of a more clean emerald.

Cool. Chances are yes, you''ll need to have it retreated. Treatment is only done to the surface, so if you change the surface you''re probably going to lose most of the filling. You can wait until after it is cut to have a look for yourself and make a decision. Anyone with experience cutting emeralds should be able to re-treat with oil. If you''d like to go with a modern treatment, I''d recommend ExCel. http://clarityenhancementlab.com/

--Joshua

 

[T L]

Date: 7/1/2010 7:38:53 AM
Author: serenitydiamonds

Date: 6/30/2010 9:29:17 PM

Author: tourmaline_lover

I found someone who will cut it that has cut many emeralds before, and he said they actually look better after cutting due to the type of polish he uses for emeralds. My question is this, do they need to be refilled to look better if the polish is done well? I assume the recutting or repolishing removes much of the filler since it''s on the surface of a more clean emerald.

Cool. Chances are yes, you''ll need to have it retreated. Treatment is only done to the surface, so if you change the surface you''re probably going to lose most of the filling. You can wait until after it is cut to have a look for yourself and make a decision. Anyone with experience cutting emeralds should be able to re-treat with oil. If you''d like to go with a modern treatment, I''d recommend ExCel. http://clarityenhancementlab.com/


--Joshua

Thanks Josh,
I actually hope I lose most of the filling. I think most of it has dried up or discolored anyways, and the stone is still a very beautiful deep chrome green. It''s from that same lot of stones where I obtained the one I sent you for your opinion on it. It''s pretty much the same color as that too. I''m hoping the polish will improve the gem. I''d actually love to see one without so much filling, and if it needs to be retreateted, I know where to send it.