Mystery Solved! Roger Dery's Alexandrite Cabochon

[LD]

I can't find the thread but somebody was looking for an Alexandrite cabochon and I replied saying I'd not ever seen one. VapidLapid, with the investigatory skills of Inspector Clousseau found one on Roger's website! We had a debate as to why Roger may have cabbed the Alex (which is unusual) and I couldn't resist asking him. As always, Roger was lovely and said he would reply when he returned home from Tucson. Today, he dropped me a note and has given permission to replicate it here:-

About the Alexandrite.....
The 1.48ct is not transparent, but not opaque either. In 1992 I purchased several 1ct to 3ct Alexandrites from my Brazilian guy (many years retired). They were all mined at the Itabira site that first opened in 1988. Unfortunately, they really weren't clean enough for most buyers. But, as a dealer at the time, to have any Alex's with moderate to vivid color change, with a little clarity, was a big deal. Now, buyers expect greater perfection.

So, I took two of the larger faceted Alexandrites and converted them into cabochons. I've included several photos I took today in two different light sources. Hopefully you find these useful.

Roger's photos are below and the heading states what lighting conditions were used.

Hope you found this as interesting as I did.

 

[chrono]

Thank you for the follow up. I can understand his reasoning and agree with it.

 

[minousbijoux]

LD thanks for getting the info. Roger, thanks for taking the time to explain.

 

[pregcurious]

Very interesting. Thanks, LD.

 

[JewelFreak]

Thanks for the info, LD, and Roger. It's a good way to be able to use the stone since the color change is so terrific. Actually, in the cab, I like the inclusions; they make it individual & interesting.

--- Laurie

 

[VapidLapid]

Excellent sleuthing, LD!
Really good to know the details and story behind it, and the extra pics help too. Very cool jardins in there. Not too shabby a color change either!

 

[Niel]

oh hey that was me! You guys are too on the ball with this stuff!

 

[jstarfireb]

Cool story and very nice color change!

 

[Niel]

what is is website again?

 

[chrono]

http://www.spectralgems.net/index.html

 

[Niel]

Awe man i cant buy things from him. Something about not being able to sell to peopke in michigan because thats where he is, i dont know. I tried to before.