A lovely blue-green tourmaline

[Harriet]

It''s uglier than sin. Feel better?

 

[Green with Envy]

Ok- gem is amazing in certain light- but is this extinction when at particular angle one side of cutlet golws and the other side is dark? I thought extinction is when parts of the stone are sort of dark all the time. This gem at certain angles lights up in all places. Thoughts?

 

[Green with Envy]

AS I move gem- it glows from one end, across the stone to the other side. It does not always glow in the entire stone. IS that extinction? Or just cutting style that atually makes stone look BETTER (the glowing)

 

[chrono]

I noticed that blue green tourmalines have a tendency to this; mine does it too and it is well cut. I think it is just the way light behaves through the gemstone that the end axis will be dark when tilted as such.

 

[Green with Envy]

Ok- thanks. So this means that if I love this color- this dark effect will probably be found on all stones, right? This particular stone is cut by All That Glitters master facetor who has won AGTA Cutting competitions and such so I KNOW that cut is as good as it gets. I was wondering if might happen less if cut different style - emerald vs. ovals or other...

If this is something that just comes with the territory of blue/green tourmalines- i can live with that. thanks.

So- does that mean the huge blue/green emerald cut from paraibainternational is extra $$$$ because it looks like it has no dark parts compared to usual blue/greens?

http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=538

 

[chrono]

Maybe it''s just the lighting? Because in certain lighting, I don''t get this dark/light play on my BG tourmaline.

Your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Harriet]

Greenwithenvy,
I won''t even hazard a guess. The stone you have is lovely though. If you really like the one from paraiba, give them a call and ask if they have one in a smaller size.

 

[colormyworld]

All I can say is WOW. What a beautiful well cut tourmaline!!! I love the color!!

As to your question about the second pic. I think the way the light is hitting your stone is the reason for the darkness on one side. It is not extinction.

 

[Green with Envy]

I called Paraiba this morning and they were super!!! I sent them pictures of what I liked from other places, went through their site and told them the ones that appealled to me, mentioned my price constraints, etc. They have a stone that might be THE ONE and it will arrive at my house on Monday!!! So I can compare gems and send one or both back if not perfect. Win-win for me.

Amen to friendly online gem dealers and good return policies!

 

[partgypsy]

Yes I totally agree, bring them in to see in person, then make a decision. What a fun search!

(This is a little off topic) but when you described your wadrobe colors (autumn type colors), what I think a killer stone for to get would be a precious topaz. Yes, similar to citrine but I think you could tell a difference.

 

[Green with Envy]

Date: 9/1/2007 3:05:46 PM
Author:Harriet
Greenwithenvy, I''m not sure if you''re still looking, but I thought I''d bring this one to your attention:

http://www.whitesgems.com/gems/TML012.htm

I looked at this stone again and found one that looks the same, but larger. I just do not understand what this cut style looks like in person. On my computer moniter it looks like when you had a static picture on the television set and back in the days when you played with those rabbit ear things on the back of the tv so finally the picture would come together.

See bigger one here...

http://www.faceters.com/gemstones/custom/tourmaline4.shtml

Anyone seen this cut style???

 

[Harriet]

I haven''t, but those are some pretty stones. You temptress!

 

[Green with Envy]

he he he- I am having some fun trying to find the right one. It has to be perfect for the LM setting.

I am thinking this cut will almost look more casual vs refined and elegant- if that is possible? For instance- I do not think a checkertop stone would work in my LM dream setting. Only a square like I have now... or the emerald cut coming Monday.

ohhhh but the more I look at this one- like it!

There are quite a few very interesting colored gems on this web site i found via google. It seems that in the past i saw folks recommending faceters.com. maybe chrono?

 

[Harriet]

What''s Paraiba sending?

 

[Green with Envy]

paraiba is sending one that looks exactly like this, but in my price range.

I told them I could only get a 16k stone if I sold my car and walked around LA. And if you know LA- NO ONE WALKS.

I spoke with AG on the phone and he was just fantastic. he says the one I get on Monday will be a hands down, no contest, brighter and nicer stone than the one I have now. i hope he is right!

I love the one i have now in certain light- but you really have to move the stone around to get it to sparkle. When it moves it is AMAZING (caught this in my first pic) but the second pic with 1/2 sparkle and 1/2 blah was not just a shadow. Only parts of the stone light up most of the time. LOVE teal color, but waiting to see if one sent from paraiba is better.

Let''s hope I did not jinx myself when we wished their gems to be Ugly As Sin!!!

 

[Harriet]

I was just being naughty. I hope AG doesn''t read this.

 

[Green with Envy]

I know- Seriously!! I would not want to ruin my new connection with AG- he was so GREAT.

just in case he does read this...

I hope to be a repeat customer for years to come!
I am planning on referring everyone I know to him.
Since I live in So Cal- I am going to get a group together to stand in front of Pala Gems with signs saying...
"Too expensive- go see AG instead!!"


(sorry if I offend any Pala fans)

 

[Green with Envy]

Ok- I am done. Cooked. Ready to eat. Mouth is drooling... I can TASTE it!
Chrono mentioned somewhere that if the stone doesn''t catch you right away- she sends it right back. Now I understand.
AG sent me a stone that seriously makes my heart race! I feel so lucky that I called paraiba to see if they had something more in line with my price range. Holy Smokes!!! LLLLOOOOOOOVVVE IT!!!!

 

[Green with Envy]

Another...

 

[Green with Envy]

This cracks me up because I tried to take so many pictures of my cat''s eyes- now as soon as I pull out the camera- he comes running!!!!

 

[Green with Envy]

See- he does not understand why I want to take a picture of a rock instead of him! He is even sitting behind my hand with a pose!

 

[chrono]

Gorgeous stone. So yummy!

It looks very zircon like - more blue than green. It also looks more lively than the other stone. Looks like a keeper.

Poor kitty. First, mommy tries so hard to take her pictures, and now that she's ready, mommy wants to take pictures of this teal coloured stones.