Why are sphenes so often cut into trilliants?

[beaujolais]

Why are sphenes so often cut into trilliants?

Why not any cushions?

I can''t find a tsav. that I''m o.k. with, so the next project may be a sphene. Honey color preferred, not into that green/yellow. Looking for something to show off it''s dispersion.

Thankis.

 

[Selkie]

I actually have a sphene cushion. They are out there, along with many other shapes. I just came across this octagonal cushion on AJs gems:
3.55 ct sphene.

 

[beaujolais]

too rectangular

I prefer my cushions more square.

Thanks.

 

[Independent Gal]

Why not ask Jeff White to cut one for you, exactly how you like it? He offered to do a sphene for me, so I gather he has access to some good rough.

 

[beaujolais]

http://bkkgemstones.com/sphene-178ct-702mm-654mm-moderately-included-cushion-p-3106.html

This one is kind of cute. But, I think the darker, more honey brown color is the prettiest, like yours. They say you get more dispersion in the lighter colors, though.

What do you think of it's cut, anyway?

Thanks.

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Does that end up costing lots more?

I think I should start with a less expensive sphene, as I've never had one, to see if it is a stone that really does work for me.

I love dispersion but am not that in love with the yellow/green/brow sphene colors, so I think I'd want not so expensive one to try it out.

 

[chrono]

Date: 5/4/2008 12:11:39 PM
Author: sonomacounty



http://bkkgemstones.com/sphene-178ct-702mm-654mm-moderately-included-cushion-p-3106.html

This one is kind of cute. But, I think the darker, more honey brown color is the prettiest, like yours. They say you get more dispersion in the lighter colors, though.
That sphene has too many fine inclusions. You will not get much dispersion out of that stone - the effect is more glowy due to the silk.

What do you think of it's cut, anyway?
The cut appears decent - nothing to shout about but not all that terrible either.
Thanks.

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<Why not ask Jeff White to cut one for you, exactly how you like it? >

Does that end up costing lots more?
Not really. Sometimes he can get good rough at very competitive prices. His cutting fee is also very reasonable. You'll get a dazzler for sure without paying and arm and a leg. It never hurts to ask either.

I think I should start with a less expensive sphene, as I've never had one, to see if it is a stone that really does work for me.
All sphenes are inexpensive. Part of the reason I believe is because it's a very soft stone. Also, you are risking it when you set it. Are you planning to set the stone? If so, be prepared for the stone to possibly be damaged during the setting process. A MOH of 5 makes this a very delicate stone. For me, I'd keep it unset just to play with it.

I love dispersion but am not that in love with the yellow/green/brow sphene colors, so I think I'd want not so expensive one to try it out.
If you want to try out a stone, then I'd suggest getting a ready cut stone. That way, it's easy to return it if you decide that it isn't the stone for you. I would not choose the custom cut method.

 

[chrono]

I just realized I forgot to answer the original question: why are sphenes often cut into trilliants?

The basic answer is this: because the shape of the rough dictates the final shape of the stone. Just as you''ll rarely see trilliant spinels due to the natural shape of the rough, you''ll also see more trilliant sphenes because the rough is more suited to that shape without too much weight loss. That said, I have see a lot of rounds and cushions, so other shapes ARE out there.

 

[chrono]

I don't think you mentioned what size you are looking for but what about this?
http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=713

0.9 ct (5.4 mm) square cushion with that brownish yellow (honey) colour you are looking for.
For only $158 with an excellent cut which helps bring out the dispersion.

It looks like ACS has a couple others:
http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/advSearch_P.asp?priceFrom=0&priceUntil=999999999&idCategory=0&idSupplier=10&resultCnt=10&keyword=sphene

 

[beaujolais]

Ooooh, thanks, Chrono. I love you ! ! !

I just bought it. Happy sphene to me.

It seems perfect, it had everything I was looking for. And thank you for the wealth of informtion in the post above your last one. You are something else ! ! !

Now what to do with it?

 

[Independent Gal]

Wow! That is SOME sphene. Yummy. Congratulations!

 

[beaujolais]

Ah, thanks. Chrono, she can pick them. Her stamp of approval made me feel much more secure on this for sure.

 

[chrono]

Date: 5/4/2008 6:25:18 PM
Author: sonomacounty
Ah, thanks. Chrono, she can pick them. Her stamp of approval made me feel much more secure on this for sure.

You are welcome. I just hope you''ll like what you see in a sphene.

 

[beaujolais]

I do know, without seeing it in person, that I love the shape and the price. Will report when it comes in the mail.

Thanks again.

 

[Pandora II]

One thing I did think when I was trying sphene against some other stones to decide about settings, is that it looks rubbish with diamonds.

The two do not enhance each other but detract and distract.

I am setting mine in very simple yg settings.

I was having a discussion the other day about sphene body colour and dispersion effects. I''m thinking of getting a greeny/yellow just so as to judge the difference.

 

[beaujolais]

Thanks Independant ! !

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I could see that. Thanks so much for the heads up on it.


I guess you are doing a pendant? Yg makes sense. I was thinking, maybe, a pendant in a small filagree setting (to size it up a bit) since it''s only .91.
yellow just so as to judge the difference.>

Great ideas. If so, please do let us know. The ACS description on this one says great dispersion, so that helps me have faith.

Are you finding yours has the dispersion that''s talked about?

 

[COT]

Hi...

To sphene or not to sphene, that is the question. You either love it or hate it. I happen to love it. In fact, I own more sphene in my collection than any other single gem type. Unfortunately, thats about all you can do with it is own it. Its best jewelry use IMHO is in earings because of its hardness and it also tends toward the brittle side. Definitely NOT a ring stone. The other downside of sphene is that without the benefit of a direct light source, it can be sort of boring. I showed a parcel of sphene to my daughter one day while eating in an out door cafe...it was very cloudy and there was no outdoor lighting. She asked, why did you buy that. Couldn''t blame her for saying that. It looked muddy and washed out, again, without the benefit of direct lighting. But put it under the sun, or jewelry store lighting, and sphene steals the show, again, IMHO.

The best material I have seen is from Pakistan. It has what I would call an ''olive'' base color, a combination it would appear of green and brown. The better Pakistani material will throw off generous amounts of yellow, green and red flash.

Here is a great example...

Sphene 1

I can vouch for the seller (an ex-pat gem merchant living in Thailand) and the quality of the material. He has connections that allow him access to the best Pakistani sphene. I helped him broker a parcel of 100 stones last year and when it arrived, I was amazed at the quality and the cutting. No inclusions and cut to enable sphene to do its work. Sphene is also VERY difficult to photograph...he seems to also have a nack for that as well.

Hope you enjoy your stone.

 

[RevolutionGems]

Here is a nice little cushion that I cut a couple of months ago. 4.85 cts and nearly flawless. I have a supplier in Pakistan that gets me the good stuff right from the mine owner.

 

[Selkie]

Ack...Jeff, stop tormenting me with that sphene!

I fall a little deeper in love with it every time I see it.

Were you ever able to set up a photo gallery?

 

[RevolutionGems]

I am working on it. I have been so busy lately with design projects and cutting a bunch of stones for a friend that I haven''t had time to do much but work and sleep. I am hoping that things will slow down enough in the near future that I can actually work on things like a picture gallery and setting up a website so i can sell a few stones.

I am stiull planning to do the step-by-step on the Pala tourmaline as well.

 

[beaujolais]

Now that''s funny.

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That e-bay sphene - OMG. I do wonder if they touched up that photo, though.

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Jeff, that stone is AWESOME. You are some tallented cutter.

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Selkie - did you make yours into a pendant?

 

[Pandora II]

I''m doing a pendant and a pair of earrings.

The earrings are just over a carat each and I''m doing them as studs. (thought about dangles...)

The pendant is a fat oval just under 4ct - Richard H gave it a haircut... and that''s going into a very simple setting. I wanted a square cushion, but there was nothing available at Tucson that fitted my parameters in that shape.

Mine are from Madagascar, although the body-colour looks like the Pakistani stuff.

I''m discussing prongs still.

I love these ones, but I don''t want to do anything that might involve work near the stone or that endangers it in anyway!

Still haven''t seen them IRL, but they looked amazing on WinkTV. I''ll take some pics when they arrive (July).

 

[jadeforest]

What about how soft the sphene is? It is just gorgeous but I have heard that you cannot use it in rings, pendants...The tsavorite while hard to find is much much harder...the spessartite which is my personal favorite is also hard and so GEORGOUS! It is my personal favorite. It comes in mandarin orange to red! And it has the most amazing luster...Anyway I checked this out because I was considering buying a green sphene. But I use most of my gems in rings so I think that I am going to pass 5.5 on the moh scale...no wonder I don''t have many spenes...Good Luck. If anyone out there thinks that a sphene CAN be set in a ring I would love to hear about it...thanks