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Help Choosing Cut for Jeff White dark pink tourmaline

SapphireStyle

SapphireStyle

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 12, 2012
Messages
338
Hello All, Jeff White is about to cut a piece of tourmaline rough for me. It is a dark pink, almost rubellitesque. Initially I really wanted an asscher cut, but I decided the colour was too dark for an asscher. I have settled on a cushion shape, but have two options for the cut. The stone will yield about a 10mm stone, 4-6 carats. Jeff has mentioned that the rough could cut a nice deep stone, retaining most of its weight, or he could cut a more brilliant, shallower stone. Here are the two examples. I hope I am not breaking the rules with these pics. I don't know how to take the text out from behind the stones. I think I am leaning towards the chunkier cut, but would like others' opinions. Thanks!

chunkycutfortourmaline.jpg

brilliantcutfortourmaline.jpg
 
For me, it would likely depend on the tone of the tourmaline; if it is dark, I would likely go with the second, otherwise I would go with his typical gorgeous cushion cut. I too love the chunkier facets of the first cushion, but the body color would likely appear darker if its deeper. Did you ask Jeff his opinion?
 
Personally I love the look of the chunky cut. But it could indeed depend on the color.
I second the idea of asking Jeff's advice.
What an exciting project!!
 
On cut alone, I prefer the second one to the first. However, the colour of the stone would need to be taken into account.

I personally would leave the cut for Jeff to decide, as he has the rough with him, and I trust his judgement, as I have trusted him in the past.

DK :))
 
Thanks Minou, Acinom and dk. I have emailed Jeff and will see what he has to say.
 
SapphireStyle|1426875779|3850164 said:
Hello All, Jeff White is about to cut a piece of tourmaline rough for me. It is a dark pink, almost rubellitesque. Initially I really wanted an asscher cut, but I decided the colour was too dark for an asscher. I have settled on a cushion shape, but have two options for the cut. The stone will yield about a 10mm stone, 4-6 carats. Jeff has mentioned that the rough could cut a nice deep stone, retaining most of its weight, or he could cut a more brilliant, shallower stone. Here are the two examples. I hope I am not breaking the rules with these pics. I don't know how to take the text out from behind the stones. I think I am leaning towards the chunkier cut, but would like others' opinions. Thanks!
Click to expand...


If it's dark rough to begin with, then a deep stone will only make it look darker. Unfortunately, you will pay for that weight loss if you go with a shallower stone, so I would look for another piece of rough.
 
I heard back from Jeff and he says darkness isn't an issue at all with the rough and that the chunky cut I prefer will be lovely. Thanks for your input all. I will certainly post the results when the stone is completed.
 
Certainly good news for you!
Please share a photo of the rough. Looking forward to see the result.
 
Yay! :appl: I'm sure it will be beautiful!
 
I can't wait to see your tourmaline!
 
I'm glad you picked chunky!
 
SapphireStyle - I am just curious...is the color pink going to be close to the second stone you posted? It is really pretty!
 
Acinom, I have asked Jeff for a pic of the rough. Tweeter, I expect the colour will be something like the second pic.
Thanks Acinom, Minou, Ricezo and Preg. I am starting to get excited. Time to think about setting ideas. I have looked through all the recent threads on the setting of the green tourmalines to get ideas. I have always been partial to tapered baguette settings, although am exploring my options. Happy to hear other opinions!
 
SapphireStyle|1426952646|3850593 said:
Acinom, I have asked Jeff for a pic of the rough. Tweeter, I expect the colour will be something like the second pic.
Thanks Acinom, Minou, Ricezo and Preg. I am starting to get excited. Time to think about setting ideas. I have looked through all the recent threads on the setting of the green tourmalines to get ideas. I have always been partial to tapered baguette settings, although am exploring my options. Happy to hear other opinions!
Click to expand...

You know, you are really lucky. His cutting is such that you can do almost anything with it! I love the tapered baguette look, but I bet you anything that your stone will look pretty enough to hold its own in high karat gold. It would also look good in a modern setting. But please don't bezel it! Every bit of his cutting should be visible in what will undoubtedly be a beautiful stone!
 
I do feel pretty darn lucky Minou, and I promise not to bezel it!
 
Thank you! I might have to contact Jeff!
 
Looking forward to seeing the stone once cut. :))
 
I was too late contacting Jeff to get a pic of the rough, but he has promised me an in progress shot.
Tweeter, I suggest contacting Jeff fairly soon. I don't know how much of this rough he has left. It is about 20 years old I gather. He bought it from someone he trusts in Tuscon.
 
Progress pictures are appreciated too!
 
I sent Jeff a note last night! :D I can't wait to see your finished product!
 
Tweeter, you can't go wrong with Jeff. I have two of his stones, including the sapphire in my e-ring ,and both are perfection. He is not inexpensive, but is a true master of his craft.
 
Tweeter, I just have to say, I cannot get enough of your beautiful three stone with the pear sides. It is truly my dream ring!
 
Thank you so much! That is really sweet of you! Funny though, I am thinking of putting a colored stone in this ring and resetting my diamond. Thus... the questions on this pink tourmaline!! :o
 
That is funny! I don't know how you could bear to change that perfect setting! It would look lovely with a coloured stone, but if it was mine I would keep it just the way it is. If you are going to put a coloured stone in the setting you might want to consider a stone that is a little hardier for everyday wear than a tourmaline. That way you can keep on wearing those lovely pear stones. I know that Jeff has some large sapphire rough in blue and yellow. I cannot remember what he has for pinks. I know he doesn't have any great pink spinel as I had asked him to keep an eye out in Tuscon and he couldn't find any.

What kind of setting are you thinking about for your diamond?
 
I am actually going to make the 3 stone ring into a RHR so I think I am ok with a softer stone. But thanks for pointing it out as I am a very big newbie to the colored stone world!! I plan on re-setting my diamond into a solitaire setting. My 3 stone setting is gorgeous which is why I don't want it to go to waste, but it is so low profile and that has always bothered me. I am an odd PSer in that way, but the setting I had for 10+ years before this was high profile and I just got used to the look.

I have been in contact with Jeff recently regarding the light pink spinel rough he has and decided that the color is just too light for what I want. He said the pinkish/red I want is very hard to come by. I didn’t realize Jeff had some sapphire rough though. Any idea if it is heated or treated? He didn’t mention it to me but I/he might have been focused on spinel rough at the time. I would LOVE a blue sapphire...that would probably be my #1 choice!! Maybe I should ask him about it, although it could be out of budget.

Thanks for your thoughts! I really appreciate it! By the way, your sapphire is so beautiful!! :love:
 
Thanks Tweeter. I think you'd best get in touch with Jeff about the sapphires directly as he had a few, but I know some have sold - including a 10 carat one! My sapphire is unheated, from a find in Africa, but I don't think he has any more like it. I believe he has some lighter coloured ones from the same mine. He did bring home new blue rough from Tuscon in various sizes though so best to communicate directly. Good luck!
 
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