Demonstrating the use of the hammer.
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Another video showing the use of water.
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What is the object of the bag?
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31.5 ct combination 23 X 24mm Triangle, citrine smoky quartz from the Tripp mine Alstead NH
This time of year is when the Toveco crew spends a lot of time cutting gemstones and cabochons. For gem stones there are different styles and techniques. The techniques that I like to use are concave & flat faceting. This style is known as combination. Combination Gemstones can also use other techniques as carving, flat, concave and so on.
Why concave faceting: As the stone shown above illustrates that the cutter has more design options. The concave facet reflects the light over a greater surface area increasing light retention. Also not being flat, it gives the cutter more latitude to working around the gem material’s reflective index. Concave facets work very well with light colored gem stock buy increasing the color saturation. Also because of the design freedom, it is easier to cut out imperfection in the gem material.
The down side is that it takes me 3 times longer to cut a concave or combination stone per a classic flat faceted stone. A concave stones carat weight will be less per a classic flat faceted stone. However, having the wider design freedom to design the stone for the future jewelry piece is well worth the down side. In addition, it just works well with beryl.
Well that’s it for now.
Later
Jim
Overall view of the concave faceting machine with doped heliodor.
Close up view showing .38 dia mandrel and doped heliodor.
5.8ct RB Golden Beryl, Concave & Flat facets
I am starting the Toveco blog as an extension of the Toveco Web site. The future blogs will be tailored to give interested mineral & lapidary people an entertaining & informative opinions about the Toveco crew endeavors. The blog topics follow the Toveco season. We wear a lot of work hats thru out the season. Below will give you an idea as what we will be blogging about.
January to early April, inventory, lapidary, sales work. Jewelry design and fabrication.
April to October, Mining, mineral & gem prep, sales shows.
October to December, gem rough sorting & mineral prep, Lapidary, jewelry design and fabrication.
So at this time of year the crew and I are gem & cabochon cutting. The Lapidary arts has become a major part of the hobby for us and physiologically important to us. Because working a New Hampshire pegmatite only about 10% of the specimens survive the extraction experience. So when a gem crystal is broken we now see & think about the future gem stones or cabochon not the bagged up mineral specimen.
I have recommended many times taking a gem cutting class. This training will do you no harm. Moreover, it could add another very enjoyable addition to your hobby. So if interested this is where to start.
Your locale mineral or lapidary club is the place to go too. As for me, the Concord Mineral Club, NH has two very good instructors (Bill Brown, Raymond NH & Howard Ewing, Nashua NH.). I have taken classes from both.
Is gem cutting for me?
You will be able to determine that quickly during your first class. However, if gem cutting does not click try not to blow off the first experience. Try to cut at least one stone. By doing so you will obtain some basic gemstone & gem rough knowledge that will make you a better collector. Like finding out what gem really is.
Well that’s it for now
Later
Jim
As shown a Beryl crystal find.
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