checkerboard cut - opinions please!

[movie zombie]

what do you all think re checkerboard cut color stones? admittedly, i've not been a fan......but am contemplating such a purchase.

what say the color stone fanatics?

 

[chrono]

I don't mind a checkerboard at all IF it isn't there in an attempt to hide something nasty inside (aka terrible inclusions). It is the pixelated cut that bothers me in a way I am yet unable to explain. Perhaps it is due to seeing such things on my TV when the stations weren't broadcasting as a child.

 

[minousbijoux]

I don't like them at all. They throw off the light patterns, when light hits one of the large checkerboard squares, it simply reflects back light without being able to see any of the stone's color. I suppose I just having seen them all, and there are those out there that I would love, but I just haven't seen them yet...

I do think it probably wouldn't bother me as much in a lighter colored stone.

 

[iLander]

I like them as an "escape from the everyday".

I think it's interesting to emphasize the crown of the gem for a change. I don't think you get much of chance at seeing into the depths of the stone, but I like the change of pace.

 

[T L]

I don't particularly like them. I feel they interfere with the facet pattern on the pavilion too much. Now if the whole stone is checkboard faceted on all sides, then that doesn't bother me as much. I have an amethyst like that, and it makes for a pretty stone. I also think it can sometimes bring out extinction in a gem. I saw a mahenge with checkerboard faceting once, and the stone went extinct, and I'm pretty sure it would have been much prettier with regular faceting on the crown.

 

[chrono]

I wonder if certain tones do better with style? Darker toned stones that I have seen seem to get extinct but lighter toned stones seem to fare better. Is this because light has a harder time getting through and reflecting back to the eye due to the cut pattern? Is this why I cannot see through checkerboard cuts well?

 

[innerkitten]

I do like them sometimes. Depends on the stone as a whole though.

 

[PrecisionGem]

I like them. They are much more challenging to cut, can help to eliminate or greatly minimize a tilt window, and can often help with a stone that would be overly dark with more traditional cutting.

 

[Barrett]

I like checkerboards. I had a JXR ammy with a checkerboard and loved it.

 

[Enerchi]

Not a CS expert, but my eye finds them distracting. I like how Chrono described them as pixelated like when the TV goes off - I agree. I find it hard to enjoy the stone with a checkerboard cut and I much prefer staring "into" the stone.

 

[NKOTB]

I've seen a few that I liked. My jeweller thought it could potentially present a slightly higher risk of damage, though? Don't know how much there is to that. Something about the extra facets (not sure if that's the right term) on top being prone to chipping?

 

[Tanzigrrl]

I can appreciate them on "typically less expensive stones" (blue topaz, citrine, peridot, amethyst). I'd never want a checkerboard cut on a sapphire or something, though.

 

[gsellis]

Jason posted this thread on my wife's ring. The center stone is a checkerboard. So an example might help?

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...blue-and-green-tourmaline-side-stones.171753/

 

[zeolite]

"green gold" citrine pendant, 36.83 cts

 

[zeolite]

Feldspar, 51.85 cts. This was both an American Gem Trade Association "Cutting Edge" winner, and also a 2005 Gemmy's Award winner:

 

[deorwine]

I used to think I didn't like them. Then I bought a lovely tourmaline cut in a checkerboard cut from Gene. Now I'm a fan -- I really love this stone. Note that this is a) an interesting cut (I still don't think I like the ones you see sometimes in maul stores) and b) a lighter-colored stone, and c) because there's one facet in the middle I still feel like I can see "into" the stone. Chrono, it does have a large inclusion that I think the cut helps to hide, in the sense that there is just so much light reflecting off of the stone that it's hard to notice it as much, but I don't think that's a big deal (I'm usually not very picky about my inclusions in general, though).

 

[stargurl78]

Normally, I don't really like them, although I'll admit the citrine and the tourmaline posted above are quite pretty.

 

[PrecisionGem]

There's no question that typically the tastes here at Pricescope are more traditional, with many stones going into halo settings. Normally when I meet with jewelers to sell stones they are drawn to the less traditional cuts and often to checker or diamond checker cuts, especially the more artsy type jewelers. I think the idea is to create more of a one of a kind look, than a mass produced look. This = more $$

 

[Enerchi]

Normally, I don't really like them, although I'll admit the citrine and the tourmaline posted above are quite pretty.

Gee, I'm rethinking my original thought as well, once viewing these 3 beautiful stones! Thank you zeolite and deorwine for posting those - a new appreciation is growing

 

[Pandora II]

I like them a lot - especially in lower RI stones. Not sure I'd like a premium colour blue sapphire cut as one, but I've seen nice aquas, amethysts, almandine garnets etc look very pretty.

 

[movie zombie]

well, George, that certainly did tip the scales! that stone is gorgeous....and i'm not a tourmaline fan.
additionally, zeolite and deorwine added weight to the scale as did gene....and all those that responded.

nothing ventured, nothing gained....and there is a return policy so i think i'll take the leap.

thank you all!

 

[Starzin]

Aaah...I'm late to the thread again but I'm throwing my .02 cents in to also say "it depends" but they can look very good. The above photos are stunning once again. It also depends on the piece of jewellery.


I'm also with Pandora that they can look really good on low RI stones, for instance I have a black onyx of my mother's that must be 60 years old...think black diamond instead even though this is CZ all the way - focal and band.


And another citrine.

 

[Starzin]

I think it's also worth putting a couple of "pixie televisions" (opposed bar cut) in for comparison in this thread.

Since Gene can't post his own stone - I will It's a stunning photo of a VERY hard subject.


The next two are by Hans Meevis - the stone loose and then set in a ring.


These cutters are gooood photographers! Finally the television...


MoZo - care to share the little something that now has your name all over it?

 

[jstarfireb]

I love them! I think when they're executed properly, they add to the sparkle of a high-RI stone and minimize windowing in a low-RI stone. I also love the pixelated sparkle of opposed-bar cuts.

 

[marcy]

While it wouldn't be my first choice but I sure have seen some of them I like.

 

[blithesome71]

Not an opposed bar cut fan... but Gene's checker cut is definitely one of my favorites:

http://precisiongem.com/Blog/files/1166.jpg