alexandrite question again- cabochon?

[Niel]

Do color change stones lend themselves to cabs or does it effect the lighting in a way that make it bad for color change stones?

 

[LD]

I've never seen a translucent Alexandrite cabochon. The only Alex cabs I've seen exhibit a cats eye. They are ONLY classed as Alex if they have the typical colourway. Mostly they are muted in colour with a green to gold change - so more likely to be Chrysoberyls. Those classed as Alex typically show muted greyish greens to muted greyish purple or greyish/orange.

 

[VapidLapid]

Roger Dery has one

 

[LD]

That's the first one I've seen VL - thanks for that!

It's very opaque and certainly doesn't look like a cats eye and there are no additional details

 

[Niel]

my only wonder is if he cut it it in that way because it was opaque or its opaque because he cut it that way...hmmm

 

[VapidLapid]

I dont know that it is opaque. The only thing I really see in it is the reflection of the photo tent. It could be translucent or semi so, or even semi transparent, it is just impossible to tell from the one photo

 

[chrono]

My guess is that the stone probably has clarity issues, hence was cut that way. If any stone can be faceted, it will be done as such because it is more attractive (sparkle and flash) and sells for more money than a cabochon.

 

[Niel]

My guess is that the stone probably has clarity issues, hence was cut that way. If any stone can be faceted, it will be done as such because it is more attractive (sparkle and flash) and sells for more money than a cabochon.

yeah thats what i figured. I know its not the best cut, so i assume its not the first thing they cut it into.... Now i know it not as easy as all this, so ignore that fact, but if some cutter HAD good rough and i requested a cab, would it still have the same color change effects? Im not looking to do this any time soon, but its more of a general question about color change stones as cabs

 

[chrono]

Cutting will not affect the colour changing property of the stone. You can even see the change in its rough form. So yes, technically, a lapidary can cab the alexandrite for you by request but will still charge you almost the same price as though it were faceted.

The example below shows what I mean, even though it is a garnet.
http://www.thegemtrader.com/July%2007%20CCGarnte%20Page.htm

 

[VapidLapid]

It is also true that not everyone is out to make money or maximize a return at the expense of making a better cut. People have been known to cab material that could have produced loupe clean faceted stones. Certainly they are the exception, but it does happen.

 

[Niel]

ok cool good to know. Ive got a few other projects in the works but i want to make a ring out of one sense my daughter is a June bug.

 

[LD]

It is also true that not everyone is out to make money or maximize a return at the expense of making a better cut. People have been known to cab material that could have produced loupe clean faceted stones. Certainly they are the exception, but it does happen.

I would absolutely agree but not with Alexandrite. I can't believe that it's easy to get hold of rough so with that in mind, maximising for beauty is probably the route a cutter would go (be that facets or cabbing etc). Looking at Roger's stone, it's not translucent and so would lend itself to a cab as this would, to some extent, make the best of a highly included stone. It's a shame Roger can't come on and discuss this stone but I know he'd be breaking the rules if he did. It'd be interesting to know more about this stone. I may drop him a line.

 

[jstarfireb]

my only wonder is if he cut it it in that way because it was opaque or its opaque because he cut it that way...hmmm

Roger is an excellent, award-winning cutter (I own 3 of his stones) who most certainly would not have cut a stone to make it opaque - the opposite of what the trade prefers! I'm sure he cabbed it because it wasn't facet-grade.

ETA: Nielseel, if you're interested in a cat's eye alex and ok with a smallish stone (a little over 4mm), contact Brad from The Gem Trader. He gave me 2 to choose from and may still have the one I didn't take.