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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:17 pm 
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Tim wrote:
Are low zircons, which seem to me to be less desirable passed off in the gem world as high Zircon.
.... and then,
Nope, nobody in the trade mentions high or low. Actually, nobody in the trade mentions zircons much, I truly wonder where they all end up...
Hi Tim - and HHelton,
While I'm just a commercial-kinda-cutter, I do have much experience with selling gemstones. When we perform sales events with retail jewelers around the country, we find Zircon in its various colors as our top seller. Second in volume is Peridot.

So Tim, it may be I am the only one mentioning Zircon. But I doubt that is true!

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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:32 pm 
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Wow, I am amazed how a simple question can lead to so many different directions, the talk about a Zircon inclusions,
lead me to search for inclusions which lead me to read Vincent Pardieu's blog (spent hours reading there last night.).
That lead to "Photoatlas of Inclusions" which lead to finding the section on Inclusions here on our forum.

Lapidary has been an obsession since building my first machine 3 years ago, then faceting and now Gemology.
Can't believe I used to get bored.

Thanks Roger for the info on Zircon and Peridot being such big sellers.
As I mentioned in a previous post I have yet to facet a Zircon that really looks good, so I am going to retry.

I am not in a position to afford at this point in time to purchase "Photoatlas of Inclusions" but there is a lot of info here to learn.

I actually have learned more since I made my first post here a few weeks ago than I have in the years I have been lurking.
So for all the Lurkers, the participation might actually be in your best interest if your desire is to learn.

Harold


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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:59 pm 
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Since we're talking Zircon, finished this one this afternoon.
Image
Final: 10.71ct ~ 11.4 x 11.4 x 12.5/corners x 8.1mm depth
The outline is a take off from the Asscher look. The pavilion is a re-hash of a Portuguese style round. I've blended the two together and it was fairly easy to do. In fact, I used a 32 Index gear instead of the usual 96.

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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 5:33 pm 
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Good on you, Roger! Perhaps it is different in the states. I remember walking into a bunch of jewelers here in Holland after my first trip to Australia with my sapphires and zircons.

"what are those?"

"zircons"

"you mean cubic zirconia?"

"nono, these are natural zircons, completely different from CZ"

"get out of my shop"

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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 6:05 pm 
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Wow, Roger :shock: ... I'm liking that gemstone :smt007 !

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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:13 pm 
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Very nice stone and I love that design.
Never took my 32 index out of the package.
Roger, did you orient your stone so that the table is perpendicular to the C axis ?

First step cut I have seen that I really like.
(maybe I haven't seen enough of them.)
Harold


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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:38 pm 
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Roger,

That's a lovely Zircon with unusually pure color. Did you heat this piece?

J-

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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:01 am 
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Roger: color and cut of this stone are just amazing :shock: =D> Do you know the country of origin of this stone?

Tim: I fully agree with your experience. Also here in France zircon is not really known as a natural and suitable for jewellery stone. Some "insiders" like them but most people who are low-middle end consumers are not even aware that a natural stone named zircon exist. They all refer to cubic zirconia. :roll:

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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:22 am 
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HHelton wrote:
Very nice stone and I love that design.
Never took my 32 index out of the package.
Roger, did you orient your stone so that the table is perpendicular to the C axis ?

First step cut I have seen that I really like.
(maybe I haven't seen enough of them.)
Harold
Hi Harold, the 96 and 120 Index Gears are very versatile, as has been proven by many cutters. But I am always looking at ways to incorporate the 32 into my design concepts. It has the benefit of reducing how many errors one may make, and this in its own way, decreases how much time it takes to completion. I realize, of course, that many faceters are not concerned about time as they are cutting as a hobby and not for profit.

But for me, and my business scenario, I need to make every effort count.

Regarding the 'C' axis, no - I paid no attention to the C axis on this particular Zircon. I have in the past done so. But, I find with Zircon's that there is very little to be gained. This is not a scientific assessment, just anecdotal from past experience.

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Last edited by ROGER DERY on Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:25 am 
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Zircon has always had an "unpleasant" reputation.

In the early days when it was used as a diamond simulant (early 20th century) it was viewed as a cheap fake as well.

Hearing the word "zircon" was never good news.

The stigma continues with the general public, and cubic zirconia certainly hasn't helped it's reputation.


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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:29 am 
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It's a pity I really like Zirks :) Have a heap of nice blue ones that are to be recut sooner or later.

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 Post subject: Re: High and Low Zircon
PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:31 am 
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Jason wrote:
Roger, that's a lovely Zircon with unusually pure color. Did you heat this piece?
J-

Jason & Christel,
This piece, to my knowledge, has not been heated. I acquired a 1/2 dozen pieces that were mined in Mozambique that have a pinkish to violetish appearance.

During recent trips to east Africa, we also found some Tanzanian Zircon rough that had a similar experience.

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