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What do you think about how this sapphire is cut?

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I don''t think it is the best cut stone as I see some dark zones and no real light coming back out of the center.
 
Considering that it is a native cut stone, it isn''t too bad. It could certainly be better but, by native cut standards, it seems pretty good. It is not cut too shallow so there is no apparent window and the cutting seems to be reasonably symmetrical.

I have to agree though that the cut does not do much for the stone. Pretty, but there is much better out there.
 
Not the best, not the worst!
 
I'd like to see more photographs of it, I think the cut actually looks pretty good potentially - it may be a funny camera angle that is giving the weird bit in the middle. The back facets look quite nice to me and it's a very clean stone, so it may just be the way the light is hitting it - or rather not hitting it!

Ask them to take a few more pictures for you - or see if there is a video.
 
Thanks Pan. Not looking to buy, just looking to understand cut better.

You read that I bought a tsavorite, right? .91, med-dark green cushion (slight blue undertone). It is one of the most beautiful things I''ve ever seen. Thanks for turning us on to them.
 
Pics?
1.gif
 
Yes, pictures - where are they???
 
The photography didn''t help the stone at all, it looks overexposed. I bet it is a nicer blue than the photo shows. These are all guesses of course -- I haven''t seen the stone in person.

You''re probably right about the window. According to their 3D report, the angles on the culet are pretty low. I bet they were working with a thin rough.

Since you are interested in learning about cut, I''ll try to explain a little of what I see here as a gem cutter:

Click on the "3D scan report" from the sapphire''s web page. Look carefully at the diagram of the cutting -- you''ll have to sorta look in between the labels at the facets. Look at the places where the facets come together, called "meets". The meets are not consistent around the stone. Check out the extra facets all over the top of the pavilion diagram (around 1 o''clock). Look at the angle labels -- notice how they are far from consistent in each tier of facets? I bet whoever did this was moving very fast and/or didn''t have very good equipment to work with.

Now, for comparison, check out this diagram from the US Faceter''s Guild:
http://www.usfacetersguild.org/gem_designs/portugese/

Granted, the USFG design is an idealized Portuguese shape and not the same as the sapphire here, but it will give you an idea of how things should come together. (Yes, classic Portuguese-style stones really are that deep!) All of the angles on each tier should be the same. Ideally, all of the meets should be sharp and come to a point.

Now, keep in mind, the USFG is more concerned about competition faceting (i.e., how perfect of a stone can you make?) Commercial cutters, even the best award-winning custom cutters, will have some missed meets, slight variations in angle, a small extra facet to correct a problem with the rough, etc. But in general, the work will be far superior to what you see in the 3D chart of that sapphire.

Incidentally, if you are really interested in cutting, check out the rest of the USFG website. There is a ton of info there and several other cutting diagrams. Careful though, you might find yourself considering a new hobby...
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peter
 
Date: 5/28/2008 7:45:47 AM
Author: ptorraca
The photography didn''t help the stone at all, it looks overexposed. I bet it is a nicer blue than the photo shows. These are all guesses of course -- I haven''t seen the stone in person.

You''re probably right about the window. According to their 3D report, the angles on the culet are pretty low. I bet they were working with a thin rough.

Since you are interested in learning about cut, I''ll try to explain a little of what I see here as a gem cutter:

Click on the ''3D scan report'' from the sapphire''s web page. Look carefully at the diagram of the cutting -- you''ll have to sorta look in between the labels at the facets. Look at the places where the facets come together, called ''meets''. The meets are not consistent around the stone. Check out the extra facets all over the top of the pavilion diagram (around 1 o''clock). Look at the angle labels -- notice how they are far from consistent in each tier of facets? I bet whoever did this was moving very fast and/or didn''t have very good equipment to work with.

Now, for comparison, check out this diagram from the US Faceter''s Guild:
http://www.usfacetersguild.org/gem_designs/portugese/

Granted, the USFG design is an idealized Portuguese shape and not the same as the sapphire here, but it will give you an idea of how things should come together. (Yes, classic Portuguese-style stones really are that deep!) All of the angles on each tier should be the same. Ideally, all of the meets should be sharp and come to a point.

Now, keep in mind, the USFG is more concerned about competition faceting (i.e., how perfect of a stone can you make?) Commercial cutters, even the best award-winning custom cutters, will have some missed meets, slight variations in angle, a small extra facet to correct a problem with the rough, etc. But in general, the work will be far superior to what you see in the 3D chart of that sapphire.

Incidentally, if you are really interested in cutting, check out the rest of the USFG website. There is a ton of info there and several other cutting diagrams. Careful though, you might find yourself considering a new hobby...
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peter
Click to expand...
WHOA what a wonderful lesson! Thank you for that. I think I''m going to save your text for reference....
 
Yes, pictures - where are they??? >

Thanks for asking. My camera does not have macro, so photos come out terrible, however when I get it set, I''m hoping the jeweler will be able to take a photo of it that I can post for you(s).

The local jeweler is setting it because they have good prices. However, when I called to ask them if they could get the scroll setting (gave them the model number) from Stuller, they asked what Stuller was. Then I said I wanted it in X1, of course, they didn''t know X1 either and got all confused upon explanation.
26.gif
 
We''re just teasing you. I myself am terrible at taking pics and green stones are notoriously difficult to capture.
 
Oh, I think that the request is valid. You''ve all helped me so much that I owe you. I''m just head over heels for this tsav.

Say, the dimensions are 6.10x5.20x3.60 on a .91 stone. Is that shallow cut, at all or good? It has a small window but seems to be cut well otherwise and the color is - well, I just could stare at if for hours.
 
I can''t tell from the dimensions alone. Someone else may be able too. Any pics from the vendor?
 
Date: 5/28/2008 4:20:01 PM
Author: sonomacounty
Yes, pictures - where are they??? >


Thanks for asking. My camera does not have macro, so photos come out terrible, however when I get it set, I'm hoping the jeweler will be able to take a photo of it that I can post for you(s).
Click to expand...

Even if your camera doesn't have a macro setting, a mini tripod with a ball head (so you can pretty much have the camera pointed at the ground) helps out enormously. You can find decent ones for $20 or so.
 
I have a very small (0.68 carats) color change sapphire cut in a similar way (I''m not sure if mine has more facets, though). The seller called it "honeycomb cut". My stone has plenty of sparkle and no window, so in real life, that cut can be very effective.

They seem a wee bit pricy, though, don''t they?
 
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