Recutting a star sapphire/ruby???

[widget]

I was just wondering...could a star sapphire be re cut to fit a certain mounting and not goof up the asterism?

I have an old ring with an only so-so 9mm pearl in it. I've always assumed that one of these days I'd like to swap out the pearl for something more exciting....probably a rich colored golden pearl...

Today I noticed a star ruby at Palagems that got me thinking....it probably wouldn't do...it's 8.75x8.13...but COULD a star stone be re cut without doing any more damage than carat weight loss?

curious..
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[valeria101]

Depends on the stone ... and what the recut might want to achieve. Slight reshaping is always feasible, I would think, as long as the orientation of the silk relative to the face of the cab remains the same and the dome remains symetrical which you probably want anyway. Internal characteristics would decide in the end.

Is this the star ruby listed on their "collector's corner" page ?

 

[widget]

Hi, Valeria!

No, it's on their "New in Stock" page. Here it is:

 

[valeria101]

Date: 1/29/2005 11:46:40 AM
Author: widget
Hi, Valeria!

No, it's on their 'New in Stock' page. Here it is:

Oh, wow! Why tinker with that beauty

 

[widget]

Excellent question, Valeria!

Ok...here''s another question...(just dreaming, here..) Could this ring be modified to put an 8.75x8.13 stone into a 9mm hole???

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[valeria101]

Date: 1/29/2005 11:57:56 AM
Author: widget

Ok...here''s another question...(just dreaming, here..) Could this ring be modified to put an 8.75x8.13 stone into a 9mm hole???

Looking at the cab photo, it seems to have a rather high dome (hence the obvious shadow) rather than being very off round. The base of the cab will get under the bezel... just as good hiding as a recut, IMO. Someone at Pala may answer such concerns way better with the stone in hand rather than "guesstimate" on a photo.

Unless they''ll set the cab on a peg, the bezel around the center stone will change anyway, so the new frame could get a hair thicker (say... millgrain can help) to adjust.

 

[Richard M.]

What metal is your ring made from?

 

[widget]

I''m not sure....I was told it was platinum...but I''m not sure if "feels" heavy enough...particularly the shank...why do you ask? Does it make a difference?

Ana...great picture! I wish I could do that!

Hmmmph...buying this ring (long ago) was not one of my best ideas...I never wear it. Sometimes I think I''d like it better as a pendant...

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[Richard M.]

Date: 1/29/2005 2:39:13 PM
Author: widget
why do you ask? Does it make a difference?

I was just trying to estimate the difficulty/expense of the modifications you''re thinking about. The setting should have markings inside the shank like "Pt." for platinum or a karat stamp if it''s gold.

Yes, changes in the ring can probably be made although the appearance of the top might be changed slightly since there''s a gap to fill and a stone seat will probably have to be constructed. Lots of star stones are cut with "bellies" and that might have to be taken into account. It would be difficult to give an accurate idea of what can be done before the pearl is removed and the ring and ruby are inspected side by side, I think.

 

[widget]

Thanks, Richard....interesting. (The ring isn''t stamped, by the way)... I think it''s going back in the box to consider another day.

It sure is a gorgeous star ruby, isn''t it?

It probably deserves a custom mounting of it''s very own....

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[Richard M.]

Date: 1/29/2005 3:50:31 PM
Author: widget

It sure is a gorgeous star ruby, isn''t it?

It probably deserves a custom mounting of it''s very own....


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I agree on the stone. It appears to be almost transparent, the sign of a high quality star corundum. The color''s very good but it does seem to have one weakish ray -- in the image, at least. Yes, I''d strongly suggest creating a special setting for this beauty.

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