I've got a chunk of cuptrite from Onjanga, Namibia I got a few years back. Somethining like 15 g corner of a larger crystal. When I was more active in gemology (hobby, not pro) I saw some of Jay Medici's stones and loved them- he does amazing work on difficult stones. I saw him at a local rock show in Michigan and inquired about cutting, but back then his 6 month lead time seemed a bit much. I do believe he is well-known.
Time has passed, and I'd like to get this rough cut into the glorious gem I know is inside. But I lost his card and now can't seem to find any way to contact Jay, and I don't know any other cutters I would entrust it to.
So I turn here- I know both hobby and pro cutters drop in occasionally. So I appeal to you all and your acquaintances: Who cuts such material (well), and would they be interested in taking such a commission?
Reply in response, or let me know by PM (they have that here, don't they?)
I don't drop by very often any more so I may not see a reply immediately.
_________________ Looking at, learning about, "investing" in, aesthetically pleasing minerals, sometimes even when I should be working. I'm an intellectual property attorney- patents, copyright, trade secrets ... drop me a line if I can help you out.
Post subject: Re: Seeking cutter for large cuprite
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 2:15 pm
Established Member
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:24 pm Posts: 49
hate to do this but... bump
Thanks!
I'd even be grateful for hints/suggestions on techniques and such. I might just get into cutting myself some day.
_________________ Looking at, learning about, "investing" in, aesthetically pleasing minerals, sometimes even when I should be working. I'm an intellectual property attorney- patents, copyright, trade secrets ... drop me a line if I can help you out.
Post subject: Re: Seeking cutter for large cuprite
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 2:43 pm
Established Member
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:24 pm Posts: 49
I've got some shots but am having difficulty signing up for imgur. When I have things worked out... you can see it- 110 ct of coppery goodness.
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_________________ Looking at, learning about, "investing" in, aesthetically pleasing minerals, sometimes even when I should be working. I'm an intellectual property attorney- patents, copyright, trade secrets ... drop me a line if I can help you out.
Post subject: Re: Seeking cutter for large cuprite
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 2:13 am
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 2:51 am Posts: 755 Location: South Africa
Norman's photographs are of a very typical piece of Onganja cuprite. I have cut several large cuprites from Onganja (see photo below - the square stone is 32.34 ct), but did not respond to Norman's request because I presume he is looking for a local cutter in the USA, and I am in South Africa. Getting the rough to me and the cut stone back to him would be problematic.
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Last edited by Duncan Miller on Wed Aug 21, 2019 12:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Post subject: Re: Seeking cutter for large cuprite
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:49 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:04 am Posts: 257 Location: Idaho
You might check with Coast to Coast Rarestones - some of the members of that company have been known for cutting large, soft, and difficult gems in the past. Perhaps they could make a recommendation.
Post subject: Re: Seeking cutter for large cuprite
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 6:18 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Thanks Duncan. I've never seen anything like this before I did a wee search and it seems that a lot of this material is coated in malachite. Thank you too, Norman. Please post when you get the material cut.
Post subject: Re: Seeking cutter for large cuprite
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:38 am
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 2:51 am Posts: 755 Location: South Africa
Barbra Voltaire wrote:
I did a wee search and it seems that a lot of this material is coated in malachite.
That is true, but often the coating is removed with acid to check the clarity of potential faceting rough. Onganja collector mineral specimens usually are left with their malachite coating, but not always (see https://www.mindat.org/gallery.php?loc=2423&min=1172).
Post subject: Re: Seeking cutter for large cuprite
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:40 pm
Established Member
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:24 pm Posts: 49
First, a big thanks to Ms Voltaire for posting the pictures for me. It may or may not have been obvious, but the ruler is in inches. Big.
Second... Wow, Duncan... those are awesome. And I am in the US... I've gotten rough from South Africa some years ago... but yeah, I'd worry about safety in transit. Each way.
Third- thanks to everybody for their comments and suggestions.
And I WILL post pics if it gets cut
Promise.
_________________ Looking at, learning about, "investing" in, aesthetically pleasing minerals, sometimes even when I should be working. I'm an intellectual property attorney- patents, copyright, trade secrets ... drop me a line if I can help you out.
The rarity and low hardness keep it out of the mainstream, but it has incredible optical properties and is highly sought after as a collector's stone. That is just a more limited market with a bit less fanfare.
_________________ Looking at, learning about, "investing" in, aesthetically pleasing minerals, sometimes even when I should be working. I'm an intellectual property attorney- patents, copyright, trade secrets ... drop me a line if I can help you out.
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