blue topaz-Richard Homer recut?

[Cind11]

I have a blue topaz ring set in yellow gold that I never wear. It''s an oval with diamonds around it, somewhat reminiscent of Priness Di''s ring. The stone measures 9 x 7.2mm and has a tiny chip in the girdle. I know blue topaz is a very inexpensive stone so I wonder if it would be worth it to have it recut. Would I be able to go through Richard directly or would I have to go through someone like Wink? Does anyone have any ballpark idea of what this would cost? I realize I could just contact Richard Homer but I''m really curiuos. I have no dea what a recut costs. If I don''t have it recut and reset, it will probably just languish forever in my jewelry box-ha ha.

 

[strmrdr]

You can save 10% by going thru Wink.
You should just have a new stone cut.
The material is very cheap and he can cut it with no compromises that way.

 

[cinnamon013]

I talked to Richard recently and he doesn''t have time to do recuts anymore. Also, to recut, you should plan to lose at least 40% of the stone.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/22/2008 10:42:43 PM
Author: cinnamon013
I talked to Richard recently and he doesn''t have time to do recuts anymore. Also, to recut, you should plan to lose at least 40% of the stone.

This is very interesting, and actually, I''m kind of glad to hear it. Not that I want people to miss out on Richard''s work, far from it. But having had a stone recently recut by him, I was thinking maybe he had a bit too much on his plate. And just to put it politely, I was hoping not everyone was treated in the same manner I was. This pretty much explains things, and gives me a better understanding on why things were the way they were.

It is a shame though, as he does incredible work.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 2/23/2008 12:16:49 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 2/22/2008 10:42:43 PM
Author: cinnamon013
I talked to Richard recently and he doesn''t have time to do recuts anymore. Also, to recut, you should plan to lose at least 40% of the stone.

This is very interesting, and actually, I''m kind of glad to hear it. Not that I want people to miss out on Richard''s work, far from it. But having had a stone recently recut by him, I was thinking maybe he had a bit too much on his plate. And just to put it politely, I was hoping not everyone was treated in the same manner I was. This pretty much explains things, and gives me a better understanding on why things were the way they were.

It is a shame though, as he does incredible work.

Ellen, I also found out that his dad was really sick and passed away recently. Richard was taking on the burden of caring for him, so perhaps it was just a bad time when you connected with him. We haven''t talked a lot because his prices are a but much for me, but he was nice enough when we talked.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/23/2008 4:28:58 PM
Author: cinnamon013
Ellen, I also found out that his dad was really sick and passed away recently. Richard was taking on the burden of caring for him, so perhaps it was just a bad time when you connected with him. We haven''t talked a lot because his prices are a but much for me, but he was nice enough when we talked.

Aw, I''m sorry to hear this, thanks for telling me. And this definitely could explain some things, I think it may have been a bad time indeed.

Thanks again cinnamon, I really am glad you told me..

 

[cinnamon013]

Ellen,

 

[Xrisus]

In addition to what cinnamon was stating about Richard''s father (which I also heard about)...from what I know of Richard he is essentially a one man army doing the gamut of work that he does. From the website-to cutting-to business trips he is in perpetual motion and wearing multiple hats. I''ve been fortunate enough to purchase several stones from him over the past 2 years and he has always been a pleasure to work with, very prompt on communication, he has educated me on the stones that I purchase, and overall a consummate professional. Although it is quite sad to hear Richard no longer has time for recuts, I''m actually kind of glad to hear it because it hopefully means he has plenty of business keeping him rewarded for his beautiful work!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Blue topaz is so inexpensive that it would not be worth recutting, IMO. You can just buy a whole new stone for less than the recut, probably!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/23/2008 8:04:53 PM
Author: Xrisus
In addition to what cinnamon was stating about Richard''s father (which I also heard about)...from what I know of Richard he is essentially a one man army doing the gamut of work that he does. From the website-to cutting-to business trips he is in perpetual motion and wearing multiple hats. I''ve been fortunate enough to purchase several stones from him over the past 2 years and he has always been a pleasure to work with, very prompt on communication, he has educated me on the stones that I purchase, and overall a consummate professional. Although it is quite sad to hear Richard no longer has time for recuts, I''m actually kind of glad to hear it because it hopefully means he has plenty of business keeping him rewarded for his beautiful work!

It sounds like you had some really nice times with Richard. I''m sorry I seem to have caught him at the wrong time.

 

[Cind11]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I''ll justbag the idea. I probaby wouldn''t pick a blue tpaz. So, if I decide to get a stone from Richard, I''ll just pick something else.

 

[Harriet]

Does the topaz have sentimental value? Jeff White (www.whitesgems.com) is an excellent cutter as well.

 

[Cind11]

Thanks for the suggestion Harriet. The ring has sentimental value in that my DH bought it for me in Boston some years ago on a really nice trip. Perhaps I will contact Jeff. I guess I could always just have the stone reset. The chip is not noticeable at least to me since my close vision isn''t the greatest. I think the settinglooks really dated and that''s probably why I don''t wear the ring.

 

[chrono]

Maybe just a minor polishing?

 

[Cind11]

Oh, would a polishing get a tiny chip out? It only bothers me because I know it''s there. But I don''t think others can see it.

 

[chrono]

If very tiny, it is possible to "buff" it away.

 

[Cind11]

Chrono, I think I may check into that. And then all I''d need to do would be to get a new setting.

 

[Harriet]

I''m in a similar position with my spinel. I may or may not have it repolished. If I do, the weight loss should be minimal, as will the cost.