cutting a demantoid garnet to close a window

[smitcompton]

Hi All,

I just received an oval 2.94 demantoid garnet. It has decent color, good fire, but has a window. I am wondering if it is wise to have a recut done on the stone. I also would like to know who does recuts of stones other than their own and of course how much something of this nature would cost.

I am leaning toward keeping this stone because I think if the window could be closed it would make a nice ring.
I will look up the exact demensions.

Thanks,

Annette

 

[VapidLapid]

Can you give us specs on the stone (including depth) and/or a full profile photograph?

 

[smitcompton]

Hi Again,

The exact demensions of the stone are 9.5 x7.1 x 5.1. I did not check these demensions. They are from the vendor.


Thanks,

Annette

 

[VapidLapid]

Well there should be enough depth there at .718. Really there should be enough depth already that there not be a window, but in a native cut the distribution of depth could be skewed in a high crown or thick girdle, both of which are good contenders for a re-cut too. Now someone here recently had a re-cut and a custom cut from her own stone and recommended the cutter highly. Let me see what I can find.

 

[VapidLapid]

Jerry Newman


http://www.gemartservices.com/about.htm

Tourmaline Lover and Blithsome can tell you more having worked with him. If you search in here for him you will find their threads.

 

[chrono]

Sounds like the stone could be a candidate for a recut. However, if the window isn’t too large, sometimes its appearance can be minimized with a more enclosed style setting which is what I recommend you try first before going the recut route. How clean the stone is and the location of inclusions is also a factor in if it is a good recut candidate.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi Again.

Thanks Vapid. I will wait for TL to give some input.

Chrono, As always thanks for your input. There are two inclusions that I consider minor. I can see them when I put on my good glasses but they aren''t bad. In my world I accept some defects if I have not expected the stone to be first rate. Somehow I think its a pretty nice stone for the money. I don''t know how to do the picture thing. I actually don''t even have a camera to take photos.
The green is better than an olive or yellow green , but not as good as a forest green or emerald green. The luster is good, the fire really good and it was reasonalbe in price so that I would be willing to pay for a recut if the consensus is to do it.

The vendor said it had no window. I have learned some have a tilt window which, at first, I thought it might be, but when i hold the stone straight up there is still a window. I have an 18kt white gold setting, very plain that i hoped itwould fit into. It just has a rope around the top edge. I wanted the flash of the stone to be the most important. I also want to use items I already have. Too many bits and pieces around my drawers.

Thanks,
Annette

 

[chrono]

Can you briefly describe the location of the 2 minor inclusions? If they aren’t close to the edge, your stone probably can be recut without too much size and ct weight loss. Since you do not have pictures, do you mind posting the vendor’s picture? I wonder if the window can be seen in that picture which will clue me in as to the actual size of the window. As with any and all gemstones, a recut is always my last resort.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

I do have pictures in an email that he sent. I don''t know how to upload them. If anyone wishes to try to instruct me on uploading, I will try. I do not know how to cut and paste. I have a microsoft xp operating system- home edition.

The inclusion are not near the edge, as far as I can tell. They are on the left hand side but not close to the edge.
I don''t like bezels, I do like half bezels.

Thanks,
Annette

 

[LD]

Annette - if it''s a good Demantoid I wouldn''t mess around with it at all.

You mentioned you have a setting? What happens when you put the stone in it? It could be that the window will be less obvious in a setting. A setting with a reasonably ornate or more closed basket will reflect colour back to the eye rather than an open basket that will allow the light to pass through.

You''ve also said that when you hold the stone up and look at it straight on you can see a window? How about when you put it between two fingers and then look down into it? Can you see through it then? Holding it up and looking through it means light will be forced through it and won''t give you a good representation of how the gem will look once set.

 

[mastercutgems]

I agree with LD as it really could make a big difference with it in a mount; as the gem mineral has a high RI and good dispersion; it really may look fine when mounted.

It also seems there is enough material for it not to be a windowed gem; but it may have a tall crown; that may eat up some of the needed depth in the pavilion for a windowless gem.

Also not knowing where or what the inclusions are could lead to trouble in re-cutting. I know if it is Namibian material that material is notorious for worm holes, etc. so it can be very risky cutting.

But with the weight and dimensions it looks like a good candidate; but one would really have to see it in person to make a educated evaluation.

Most respectfully;

 

[smitcompton]

Hi All,

Thank you again for your replies. I have been very busy and tired so did not keep up with the posts.

LD--- I did hold it beween two fingers and it did look better, but it still had a small window. I have decided to return it.
the individual said it did not have a window but it does and it seems rather complicated to fix it. The setting I was going to use is open and would''nt close the window.

I thank you all for your help and I think that ends my demantoid searches. I got one good one.

Mastercutgems. The stone is from Madagascar, not Namibia. I appreciate your comments.

Sorry it took so long to respond

Thanks,
Annette

 

[T L]

Date: 4/22/2010 11:55:37 AM
Author: VapidLapid
Jerry Newman



http://www.gemartservices.com/about.htm


Tourmaline Lover and Blithsome can tell you more having worked with him. If you search in here for him you will find their threads.

I think it also depends on the material. If it's very saturated, you want to make sure it doesn't lose saturation. Jerry is excellent. I sent him a piece of Afghan tourmaline rough (cleaves easily), and told him to keep the blue axis on the table, and he also cut it with a very high crown and small table. The effect was more sparkle and retention of saturation since it's a light toned piece of rough. The faceting work is some of the best I've ever seen. I had this rough lying around for a long time, and shopped around for cutters, but I was afraid to let most people touch it. He also preserved a lot of the yield. I don't know if this matters, but his background is in engineering, so I'm sure he has a good mathematical sense when cutting a gem, which I think helps.

Here is my tourmaline.

http://com.pricescope.com/photos/stones/category1005/picture5618.aspx