Talk to me about diamond cutters (specifically Jean Paul Tolkowsky)

[jasontb]

So I have this stone. And along with the GIA cert came a card indicating it was ''Cut by Tolkowsky'' The card says every diamond cut by Tolkowsky is an ideal cut, H&A, and GIA certed.

I hadn''t even considered where a diamond was cut before purchasing. But now that I know where mine came from, I''m curious. Searching has produced very few threads dealing with cutters. So I was hoping some of the experts (and regulars) could tell me about diamond cutters.

Are there a lot? Only a couple? Where are most stones cut?

And anything specifically about Jean Paul Tolkowsky would be cool. Where are they located? Is their reputation as good with the vendors as this little card made it seem?

Thanks, all!

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Jean-Paul Tolkowsky is the son of the legendary cutter Gabi Tolkowsky.

J-P is a rather young fellow, and his company is called Exelco, based in Antwerp. Most of their cutting is probably done in their factory in Thailand, just outside of Bangkok.

Exelco is one of the newest sightholders of De Beers''.

Live long,

 

[Shay37]

Paul, so his diamond was cut by JP''s company. If I understand correctly, he didn''t PERSONALLY cut the stone, right?

shay

 

[jasontb]

Date: 3/15/2006 6:53:09 AM
Author: Shay37
If I understand correctly, he didn''t PERSONALLY cut the stone, right?

I''d say that''s a safe assumption.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Tolkowsky is a pretty strong name in diamonds.

Here is an article from 2003 about Sir Gabi, with a link to another GIA piece that discusses contributions by Marcel Tolkowsky and some of his contemporaries.