For those who have and admire Sphene....

[LD]

Exactly what TL said...

A step cut really downplays the dispersion factor (and brilliance) that a Sphene is known for....

I found a very bright, clean, yellowish green Sphene Emerald cut, bought it with intent to recut. I was really astounded when it arrived, it could have been a Peridot for all I knew...really surprising that anyone would step cut that gem.

Unfortunately, there wasn't quite enough material to recut the stone of mine into a brilliant/barion, but Dan Stair chose a scissor-cut, and it does show a bit more flash than the step cut did.

Here's the stone (not for sale, part of my collection) before and after recut, showing the color. I can't get it to show the dispersion with my daylight/lightbox setup, it needs incandescent for that and I haven't figured out how to get good incandescent shots.

Sphene is a favorite of mine. I have a yellow, honey, and this yellowish-green. I am looking to add a true brown, as well as a deeper green. I've found some Chromium-Sphene in the rough, but I suspect it will yield a similar color to this stone pictured. I've included a picture of it, as well.

This green one started as 3.36ct and 10x6.75mm, and is now 2.48ct, 9.6x6.4mm

The before pic was the vendor pic, the after pic is mine in daylight-calibrated fluorescent. Same with the rough. I had to adjust exposure due to the pics coming out looking too dark.

Chris: do you think sphenes really need incandescent light to show their dispersion? I've never thought about it, but I guess just assumed that if I took it outside in regular daylight, it would do its sparkle fest thing. Not so?

The photo of my ring was taking on an overcast day with snow on the ground. It does a sparkle fest no matter where I put him!

 

[chrono]

I did a quickie photoshoot (no posing, just snap and go in 1 second) of my sphenes indoors and they had no issues showing dispersion. They are in my "To cut or not to cut" thread.

 

[pregcurious]

There are really fantastic. I like the idea of buying from Jeff Davies and having him set it in a halo pendant. The claw prongs on it are nice.

 

[ChrisA222]

Im on a mission to have a nice example in each color.

I found this 9ct Brown Sphene (13.4x10.5x6.6mm) with a poor cut on eBay and got it for a great price. It was just finished being recut, now its 4.68ct and measures 11.36 x 9.38mm. It was cut (and photographed) by Dan Stair...and I told him that he has a blank slate, I was not looking to retain a huge amount of weight, I was looking for the best performing cut he could come up with.

Im really happy with the results--and I can't wait to see it (should be here soon). I suspect it is closer in color to the orginal vendor pic, a warm orangish brown.

I know brown isn't for everyone, but its grown on me and definately has to be included in a Sphene collection!

Showing before and after pics.

I also had my Chrome Sphene rough cut, and its on its way. I'll attempt to photograph that one and post it here when I have it.

PS, Jerry Newman gets a lot of press around here, especially lately, but Dan Stair is awesome himself

 

[pelegirl88]

Hi I am new to this site and I find it very informative. I recently bought an 8mm by 7mm Octogon VS1 Zambian Emerald (my profile pic) I will have set for my engagement ring. I am in love with ALL green gems! So I bought a couple of 6mm round green Sphenes that are VVS1 as well to have set with it. I have looked at Demantoids and Tsavorites as well but I really want the Sphenes because I love them sooo much. I wire wrap and strand so I won't be wearing my ring all the time since I work with my hands. I was thinking because they are so soft perhaps I could have them set in a deeper bezel next to the prong-set Emerald. I am concerned though that this may effect the rainbow spark which is utterly breathtaking. I have an appointment with a local jeweler on Tuesday to discuss possibilities but I don't want to go in without a clue. So I am open to any suggestions. I have attached a picture of the Sphenes but they are a bit more bright limey green and also better matched then as they were captured. I have also attached a pic of the Emerald which is bit brighter greenish blue as well and the profile pic had elongated it. Side by side the Sphenes and Emerald are stunning. Something you just don't see everyday!

 

[ilovegemstones]

I love sphene and am having a yellowy green one set into a pendant.