January 24 Through February 4—TUCSON, ARIZONA: Annual show
Welcome to the GemologyOnline.com Forum
A non-profit Forum for the exchange of gemological ideas
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:13 am

All times are UTC - 4 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 254 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1 ... 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:19 pm 
Offline
Active Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:25 pm
Posts: 70
Dioptase,

that's a chunky piece of rough. If 11 is the depth measurement it could cut a substantial stone. I'm betting with proper planning there could be little loss. All depends on possible inclusions. If you do decide to window in for a peek let us know what you find.

Dale


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 2:08 pm 
Offline
Established Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 8:35 am
Posts: 22
I am curious as well.
How effective is using Star Refractol to view internal character?
Do you need to polish a window?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:06 pm 
Offline
Active Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:25 pm
Posts: 70
To answer both your questions.

Yes, refractol can be used to check the internals of a gemstone. But it's not perfect. It will not see all of the inclusions that can arise to cause problems. But it is a good start. You can start with refractol. If you see big problems then the stone becomes a lovely desk piece, end of problem.

But what if you see nothing? What if refractol gives indications of a clean stone. Will you then consider cutting? If you do it would be best to window the stone before committing to cutting. AND the window could become the flat base to which you place the stone back on your desktop IF you see something disturbing in the stone. In other words, the window may not necessarily ruin the stone and prevent it from becoming a stunning conversation piece. The window could be used to transmit light into the stone for display illumination.

Dale


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:07 pm 
Offline
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:42 pm
Posts: 4091
Location: the Netherlands
I understand dioptase's hesitation completely. It's a beautiful crystal and it would be cool to keep it as is. Even from a monetary point of view I think it would make sense...


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:22 pm 
Offline
Active Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:25 pm
Posts: 70
I agree Tim,

the stone is absolutely gorgeous as it is. But I'm a cutter. When I examine a piece of rough I immediately look for what the stone will produce as a finished product. I once had a couple of specimens standing around looking good. But after a while I could stand it no longer. One of them became a stunning aquamarine that I subsequently sold to a very satisfied customer. For me the challenge is teasing what can become of rough. It becomes something that I, I alone, have created.

Nevertheless, I totally agree. The stone is stunning as is.

Dioptase, you're not a cutter so you're not afflicted this way. I can't believe I'm saying this, man this kills me. Leave the stone as is, it's a fine example of a garnet specimen. Don't touch it. I have in mind an excellent means of display.

Dale


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:22 am 
Offline
Valued Contributor

Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 4:13 am
Posts: 222
I'll leave the garnet as it is; at least for now. There's no need to rush anyway.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 11:55 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:29 am
Posts: 928
Location: USA
I would leave it as is and say it is probably worth more as a specimen then a cut stone! You do not typically see full crystals in that good of shape.

And, as mentioned, cut a window in it and the value of it being a specimen just now became a bit of nothing. So it is either all or nothing, meaning, cut it or leave it as is. There is no in between, except viewing it in a liquid, Refractol will be somewhat useful on garnet but not the best choice. A liquid closer to the RI of the garnet would be best, refractol is good up to Beryl but after that starts losing is usefulness quickly.

_________________
http://www.gemaddicts.com <--- My Website
http://www.gemsbyjennifer.com/store <---- Wifey's Store
http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitaldevo <--- My Portfolio


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 6:18 pm 
Offline
Established Member

Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 9:09 am
Posts: 36
I think I have a habit :mrgreen: :-"
Here are the stones we've had faceted by Stephen Kotlowski and Lloyd Forrester.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/miele_melograno/6002857635/in/photostream/
There is only one non-garnet in the bunch.
There is a chrome tourmaline (second row, fifth column).
Although saturated :_( Stephen was able to get some life out of it. =D>
Anyway I can't wait to send in more of our rough!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:53 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:53 pm
Posts: 2049
Location: Sweden
Regarding the Meralani Crystal... Keep it as is!!
I have torn my hair and kicked my own butt hundreds of times after cutting specimens and seeing what they command in terms of price 15 years later. I'm talking about 100-450 gram perfect specimens of almost flawless greenish yellow beryl from the Volyn Volodarsk, Jekaterinburg finds from the 90's. I cut many stones from 15 to 50 ct flawless and got peanuts for them compared to what a single crystal commands today... But one had to get some food on the table. If you can manage the food part anyways, KEEP IT!!

_________________
_____________
Conny Forsberg


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 3:24 am 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:47 am
Posts: 1350
Location: Pacific Northwest
Brings to mind my attempt to cut and polish a piece of smithsonite that I found in the tailings at the Kelly mine in N.M. Bad idea.

_________________
I just dreamed that I was a butterfly.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:24 pm 
Offline
Valued Contributor
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:00 pm
Posts: 461
Location: Washington DC
Check out the color on this rhodolite I just finished. It's from my Uncle's old stash of rough so I'm not sure where it's from or how old it is, but I haven't seen anything quite like it before. It color shifts to peachy pink in incandescent light, but I couldn't get a good picture of the shift.

Image

_________________
http://www.etsy.com/shop/FlatFacets


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:08 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergoddess
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:13 pm
Posts: 5077
Location: Australia
Scrumptious bob. :P

_________________
Keep em comin!!! :)


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:51 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:19 pm
Posts: 914
Location: California, USA
This is a Rhodolite I just cut. It is 3.28 carats and 8.8 mm wide x 8.8 mm long x 5.8 mm deep. It shows scarlet and light purple flashes. In this picture, I could not capture the purple well, and it appears more like pink. It is truly stunning in person.
Image

It’ll make a gorgeous ring. To help imagining how it may look like, I just put the stone in a setting that happens to be next to me. (Aw…me like…and me want.) Oh, well, it’s not mine. Let it go, Mitch.
Image

_________________
Best regards,
Mitch

I am a slave to cutting a stone completely free of chips and very much enjoying it.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:33 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Übergoddess
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:13 pm
Posts: 5077
Location: Australia
Mitch haven't you learned the golden rule, one for you and one for me :wink:
Very pretty =D>

_________________
Keep em comin!!! :)


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Garnets Anonymous
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:51 pm 
Offline
Valued Contributor
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:00 pm
Posts: 461
Location: Washington DC
I've been cutting a lot of Nigerian spessartite lately. It's not super orange material, it has a lot of red and a little brown in it, but it sure glows.

Image

_________________
http://www.etsy.com/shop/FlatFacets


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 254 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1 ... 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17  Next

All times are UTC - 4 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 18 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Gemology Style ported to phpBB3 by Christian Bullock