Cuts for Beryls?

[richipat]

Seems like I remember from years ago that beryls -- aquas, etc., were cut in an emerald cut type pattern because of the cleavage factor and their chrystal structure. At one time that was just about the only way one saw them cut. Now I see aquas cut into almost any shape. Is this because of new technology?

Reason I ask -- my suspicious little mind thinks that some of the fancy cut aquas are really blue topaz.

Opnions, rock fans?

 

[riogems]

Aquas can and have been cut in many shapes for many years. An emerald cut can produce a nice result because you can create a deep pavilion to try to maximize the color.

 

[Richard M.]

Date: 5/21/2007 1:03:57 PM
Author:richipat
Seems like I remember from years ago that beryls -- aquas, etc., were cut in an emerald cut type pattern because of the cleavage factor and their chrystal structure. At one time that was just about the only way one saw them cut. Now I see aquas cut into almost any shape. Is this because of new technology?


Reason I ask -- my suspicious little mind thinks that some of the fancy cut aquas are really blue topaz.

Emeralds and aquas are both beryls but emeralds grow in much smaller crystals than aquas, which can be huge. Emeralds are usually cut in, guess what -- emerald cuts! -- because the crystals are long and narrow (as are smaller aqua crystals, which probably provided the aqua emerald cuts you refer to). The emerald cut is simply the best way to maximize yield in crystals of that shape. Cleavage is not a factor.

Aqua, golden beryl, morganite and goshenite all occur in much larger crystals, giving cutters the option to fashion nearly any shapes they wish. An interesting point is that per carat aqua prices start going down when cut stones reach 25 carats in size because there''s less demand for stones that big.

Richard M.