Window and/or Tilt Window in this Aqua?

[Mrsz1ppy]

Did I make a mistake? I’ve started chemo, and am not all here! So I’d like feedback please, on the 7.81 carat aqua I rashly bought at auction. I only have cabochon and carved aquamarines, because all the faceted ones I see have enormous windows. I was puttering around the inter webs, as one does, and was struck by the cut on this aqua, and bid until I got it.

It has facet abrasions and knicks out the wazoo, but I think a good polish will sort that out.

Now I’m having a bit of buyer’s remorse, wondering if I really saw what I was so sure of. The ring is not here yet, so I’m asking for my PS peeps’ thoughts.

What do you think of the cut?

Thanks!

 

[dk168]

I am not an expert, however, I like the stone as I believe it had been cut nicely.

DK

 

[LilAlex]

I think it's lovely! I do not see a window face-on. Who cares about a tilt window in a stone as large and subtly hued as an aqua? Seems like they all have that -- certainly the big step cut ones with only a couple of facet rows on the pavilion.

A little odd that the area around the keel/culet is chipped -- my guess is that a crystal obelisk-style (polite metaphor) ring holder was the culprit.

The abrasions at the meet points don't bug me -- character lines "for this ol' girl," as my favorite and now long-retired B&M SA used to say.

Congratulations! And good luck with your chemo (need the FB "care" emoji here).

 

[Avondale]

I don’t see a window either. It’s beautiful!

Hope chemo’s going well, or at least as well as it can be expected. <3

 

[chrono]

Tilt window. Cut looks good. Aqua has low RI so a large tilt window is to be expected for non busy cuts. Colour will be extremely pale in person since the dark background is what is helping us see the colour in the photographs.

I hope chemo goes well (aka less terrible side effects) and your recovery will be smooth and swift.

 

[T L]

With that many facet abrasions as you describe, and the fact I do not see much sparkle in the photos, my biggest concern would be if this is even a real aqua, or glass or some other simulant. That type of setting is vintage, and made during a time when aqua stimulants were very popular.

Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

With that many facet abrasions as you describe, and the fact I do not see much sparkle in the photos, my biggest concern would be if this is even a real aqua, or glass or some other simulant. That type of setting is vintage, and made during a time when aqua stimulants were very popular.

Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I will send it to AGL. I have bought about 20 pieces from this vendor, EBTH, and sent all of the CS without certs to,AGL, and every one has been as described. If it is a simulant, back it goes! But thank you for the heads up.

And thank you for the get well wishes.

 

[PrecisionGem]

I see people mention "a good polish" to fix issues with abrasion etc as this aquamarine has. This type of polishing should not be confused with polishing gold, where a buffer pad can be used to remove scratches. On the gemstone, this would involve removing the stone from the setting and first recutting each effected facet, the polishing them. Polishing of gems is done normally on a metal lap that is charged with very fine diamond powder. The lap only cuts or polishes flats. With this stone, to completely restore it, pretty much looks like cutting and polishing every facet. From a cutters standpoint, this is a real PIA, as you are fishing around for each facet index and angle. This can take longer than just recutting to a new design.

 

[RRfromR]

@Mrsz1ppy , wishing you speedy recovery and sending lots of healing vibes. I really like the ring.

 

[fredflintstone]

Tilt.

 

[fredflintstone]

I will send it to AGL. I have bought about 20 pieces from this vendor, EBTH, and sent all of the CS without certs to,AGL, and every one has been as described. If it is a simulant, back it goes! But thank you for the heads up.

And thank you for the get well wishes.

Aquamarine is very common. If you bought many times from this vendor and all has been well, 99.9% this is an Aqua. No need to send this stone to the AGL. Any gemologist can identify this as an Aqua or not at your nearest jewelry store (that has one) for cheaper & much less time. Very easy to identify.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

I see people mention "a good polish" to fix issues with abrasion etc as this aquamarine has. This type of polishing should not be confused with polishing gold, where a buffer pad can be used to remove scratches. On the gemstone, this would involve removing the stone from the setting and first recutting each effected facet, the polishing them. Polishing of gems is done normally on a metal lap that is charged with very fine diamond powder. The lap only cuts or polishes flats. With this stone, to completely restore it, pretty much looks like cutting and polishing every facet. From a cutters standpoint, this is a real PIA, as you are fishing around for each facet index and angle. This can take longer than just recutting to a new design.

Thank you for giving me your point of view. I believe it will be a pia too. Isn’t that why well cut stones cost more? It takes more time. I appreciate the artistry and craft of lapidaries. I don’t think it will be cheap. I just loved the cut.

 

[Crimson]

@Mrsz1ppy, the aqua is lovely. I like both the cut and setting. I don’t think it is windowed. i hope your chemo treatment will be successful and that you will find comfort and healing. Sending you hugs and a camellia.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

@Mrsz1ppy, the aqua is lovely. I like both the cut and setting. I don’t think it is windowed. i hope your chemo treatment will be successful and that you will find comfort and healing. Sending you hugs and a camellia.

Thank you so much for the flower and kind thoughts. Mostly for me, but glad to know you like the stone! I value your insights and have learned a lot from you.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

My wishes for an easy time with the chemo, and that it does its job. I hope your spirits remain high. I send a second camellia.

Annette

 

[cloud_less]

I like it a lot! Wish you a swift recovery

 

[Crimson]

Thank you so much for the flower and kind thoughts. Mostly for me, but glad to know you like the stone! I value your insights and have learned a lot from you.

@Mrsz1ppy i have learnt a lot from you too, Sending you hugs and an orchid today. This is Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s national flower. Hope you like it,

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

@Mrsz1ppy i have learnt a lot from you too, Sending you hugs and an orchid today. This is Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s national flower. Hope you like it,

It’s absolutely gorgeous! The combination of colors. Thank you n

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i think the aqua is beautiful, i have my fingers crossed its real and also that your chemo is successful
i think this stone is a very good thing to give your mind a rest from your illness
best wishes to you and your aqua @Mrsz1ppy

 

[smitcompton]

Hi MsZippy.

I have struggled with myself, for the last half hour on whether or not I should post about your illness. When I was diagnosed many yrs ago, someone sent me a book that changed how I approached treatment. I know some hospitals have instituted new ideas, but these were not available in my time except through some new studies conducted by doctors and brought together in one place(book) by Dr. Bernie Seigel. The book is called, "Love, Medicine and Miracles" He supports his thinking based on studies done by Paul and Stephanie Simington., an oncologist and psychologist. They discovered that using guided imagery along with Chemo, patients lived longer. Many hospitals now use this technique along with standard chemo, radiation surgery ect. This involves one other step, to be found in another book by Robert Bensen, called The Relaxation Response. After I read it I realized it was really transcendental meditation., which has been proven to lower blood pressure and put you in restful state, sometimes referred to as the alfa state, the first step in hypnotism. First, you relax the body, then you guide through your minds eye the chemo to where the tumor is located. You tell the chemo to kill the cancer cells, bombard them. I did this three times a day. (They train athletes this way-to imagine the win.).

It isn't poppoycock, but you may be doing this already. If not consider it. The mind and body connection is strong.

If this offends you, I am sorry, but wanted to be sure you had all the information at your disposal. I am not a doctor or a witch doctor. I survived after a lot of effort on everyone's part. I'm wishing the same for you.--so I posted.

Annette

I don't want to post in Hangout, so choose this venue.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Hi MsZippy.

I have struggled with myself, for the last half hour on whether or not I should post about your illness. When I was diagnosed many yrs ago, someone sent me a book that changed how I approached treatment. I know some hospitals have instituted new ideas, but these were not available in my time except through some new studies conducted by doctors and brought together in one place(book) by Dr. Bernie Seigel. The book is called, "Love, Medicine and Miracles" He supports his thinking based on studies done by Paul and Stephanie Simington., an oncologist and psychologist. They discovered that using guided imagery along with Chemo, patients lived longer. Many hospitals now use this technique along with standard chemo, radiation surgery ect. This involves one other step, to be found in another book by Robert Bensen, called The Relaxation Response. After I read it I realized it was really transcendental meditation., which has been proven to lower blood pressure and put you in restful state, sometimes referred to as the alfa state, the first step in hypnotism. First, you relax the body, then you guide through your minds eye the chemo to where the tumor is located. You tell the chemo to kill the cancer cells, bombard them. I did this three times a day. (They train athletes this way-to imagine the win.).

It isn't poppoycock, but you may be doing this already. If not consider it. The mind and body connection is strong.

If this offends you, I am sorry, but wanted to be sure you had all the information at your disposal. I am not a doctor or a witch doctor. I survived after a lot of effort on everyone's part. I'm wishing the same for you.--so I posted.

Annette

I don't want to post in Hangout, so choose this venue.

Thank you. I am not interested in a Steve Jobs approach, but I don’t mind learning about complimentary ideas that don’t require me to not use western medicine.

I appreciate your kindness and concern. This journey is Cancerland is a whole new world, so maps are appreciated.

Sincerely, thank you for the idea. I am going to look into It.

 

[smitcompton]

+Hi,

I write some things from memory and later find I need to correct. It is not Paul Symington but Carl. and Symington is with a Y. The word Alpha is also incorrectly spelled.

These techniques are used in conjunction with western medicine. Dr. Bernie Seigel is a surgeon, who used to be affiliated with Yale University Hospital in Conn, and treated cancer patients, He had a program that I attended, which helped me alot. He may be dead now. It was a long time ago.

It was quite a journey for me. I learned a lot along the way.

Annette