Post subject: Fractures, do they need to be ground out?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 1:14 am
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:43 pm Posts: 2
Hi All,
If a stone is cut with care, can you leave fractures in the gem? The fractures can only be seen with a loupe. They also seem to be on the same fault line, not quiet meeting.
Its a 3.7ct tsavorite with colour that I just love. I would send it back becase the fracture is worse thsn described and paid a premium price but I'm having trouble parting with the colour.
Impossible to know without seeing the rough I guess?
Post subject: Re: Fractures, do they need to be ground out?
Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 7:45 pm
Moderator: Lapidary Diamonds
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:32 pm Posts: 1747 Location: Florida, United States
If the fractures can only be seen with a 10X loupe, you don't need to remove those. If the fractures are very close to the surface, I would consider it, but that is an option.
Post subject: Re: Fractures, do they need to be ground out?
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2018 8:10 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
I agree with Thomas Are you positive it is fractured or is it a vail inclusion. Vails are quite common in Grossular garnets. One has to know the intent of the final stone. Is it being offered for sale or keeping it for your own collection. Leaving a surface reaching fracture will bring the value down and removing it and loosing valuable material ultimately is a lose as well. Can the problem area be placed in an area where it is least noticeable.
Hope you find a good compromise, been there done this way way to many times.
Post subject: Re: Fractures, do they need to be ground out?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 9:24 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:29 pm Posts: 214
Every stone is different. Personally, if I'm cutting a collector stone, something rare or unusual, I don't care about fractures. Trying to find a truly flawless eudialyte, for example, well, good luck with that.
However, if you're selling the stone, or it's to go into jewelry, you have the problem of durability. Is the fracture a stone killer, will it pop with the knocks of daily wear? You'll get some idea as you cut it; if bits are spalling off, or you see the fracture extending or opening, you might have problems.
It all depends. Some minerals are remarkably tough, and can live happy lives with a wild forest of fractures, cleavages, and three phase inclusions, eg: emerald.
Others, not so much. You have to plan the cut around the fracture; if it's on end, 90 degrees to the table, you might find it barely visible. A dome style crown will help hide it. Cut the stone with the fracture transecting the culet though, and you're asking for trouble.
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