Post subject: Re: Before and After – Post YOUR Transformation Pics
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 1:47 am
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Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:06 pm Posts: 2267 Location: Chapel Hill, NC / Toronto, ON
Hey! Time for a recut. Natural Tanzanian spinel, very dark iron-bearing spinel. Went from 6.66 carats to...well...I wrote it down and have no idea where I put the paper, and have already sent out the stone. Oops? Forgot what the measurements were as well. I'll find it somewhere, eventually. But still! Got >70% yield, and there's a dramatic improvement in color in the hand.
Still dark though. Gaaaaahhhh.
Also Jeff I really need to attend your photography lecture in Tucson
Post subject: Re: Before and After – Post YOUR Transformation Pics
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 12:39 pm
Moderator
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:06 pm Posts: 2267 Location: Chapel Hill, NC / Toronto, ON
Lisa Elser wrote:
Arya that came out great!
It's still really dark though. It has the typical iron absorption darkness, but the purple flash really improved post recut. Very minimal loss of face up size.
Post subject: Re: Before and After – Post YOUR Transformation Pics
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 7:53 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:14 pm Posts: 1383 Location: Royal Oak, Michigan US
A larger blue-green Sapphire we found in Sri Lanka. Started out as a 6.70ct cushion. Finished out at 6.19ct. Most of the work was on the pavilion, where we started with 4 tiers. There are still 4 tiers, though set up much lower, with fewer degrees between them. And, as expected, came out a little darker in color and tone.
Post subject: Re: Before and After – Post YOUR Transformation Pics
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 4:35 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:04 pm Posts: 1642 Location: Walnut Creek, CA
I wanted to give zircon a try, but some cut stones are cheaper than the actual rough. Especially if you consider the yield (a cut stone is a very good preform) and the clarity (you can check a cut stone more easily than a piece of rock with an irregular/frosted surface). So, I hunted for the blue zircon nobody wants: disproportioned, chipped, etc. But clean, with a good color and enough depth to recut it easily.
Now that stone sparkles like crazy. It looks like a blue diamond. A bit fuzzier, tho.
Post subject: Re: Before and After – Post YOUR Transformation Pics
Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:56 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Mon May 26, 2014 9:42 pm Posts: 1033
Lisa Elser wrote:
This was fun. 42.85ct Nigerian Tourmaline rough with all kinds of little problems.
Turned into 14.05ct, 14.15mm round, that I cut in a new design of Tom's. It's supposed to be in a Canadian magazine this summer, but you never know until it's actually published.
Post subject: Re: Before and After – Post YOUR Transformation Pics
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:36 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 3:55 am Posts: 140
maialetto wrote:
I wanted to give zircon a try, but some cut stones are cheaper than the actual rough. Especially if you consider the yield (a cut stone is a very good preform) and the clarity (you can check a cut stone more easily than a piece of rock with an irregular/frosted surface). So, I hunted for the blue zircon nobody wants: disproportioned, chipped, etc. But clean, with a good color and enough depth to recut it easily.
Now that stone sparkles like crazy. It looks like a blue diamond. A bit fuzzier, tho.
Post subject: Re: Before and After – Post YOUR Transformation Pics
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 1:37 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:04 pm Posts: 1642 Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Australian wrote:
How much did you loose during the re-cutting?
I lose relatively a lot: I got a ~55% recovery, because I treated the starting stone as a preform and I wanted to use optimal angles. Still, much better recovery than the average piece of rough.
Post subject: Re: Before and After – Post YOUR Transformation Pics
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:19 pm
Valued Contributor
Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 3:55 am Posts: 140
maialetto wrote:
Australian wrote:
How much did you loose during the re-cutting?
I lose relatively a lot: I got a ~55% recovery, because I treated the starting stone as a preform and I wanted to use optimal angles. Still, much better recovery than the average piece of rough.
I think you need to consider two separate factors in evaluating your final result: 1) has re-cutting increased the market value of the gemstone? 2) how much personal satisfaction does the final result give you?
The answer to the first question is purely a commercial calculation, but the second is subjective.
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