January 24 Through February 4—TUCSON, ARIZONA: Annual show
Welcome to the GemologyOnline.com Forum
A non-profit Forum for the exchange of gemological ideas
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:24 pm

All times are UTC - 4 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 138 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... 10  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:53 pm 
Offline
Gold Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm
Posts: 1424
Location: San Marcos, CA
Steve send us pictures of one of these boxes, may be interested!

_________________
The Gem Garden
San Marcos, CA


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:01 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am
Posts: 1542
Greg, I am shooting an instruction video for it on Sunday. I will reserve one for you if you decide you want one.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:46 am 
Offline
Valued Contributor

Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:50 pm
Posts: 194
I would like to see as well if I can!

So with the closed material, or semi closed, you will always have 2 sides darker than the other 2 right(c axis sides)? And then the farther from center you make those sides the lighter the stone will be? (like a rectangle cut with the c ends as the small sides)


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 8:34 am 
Offline
Valued Contributor

Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:50 pm
Posts: 194
1bwana1 wrote:
Dark stones look better with fewer, larger facets. Since the amount of color absorbed is directly related to the length of line the light travels inside the stone the goal is to shorten the line.

Do a simple step cut on both crown and pavilion. Sometimes it is best to let light leak. Transmitted light travels the shortest possible path.

Over time you will develop a library of cuts that work well for dark stones.

As I have said, you need a consistent way to evaluate your rough. I will have a new batch of light boxes finished next week.


Ok I'll start looking up ideas for step cuts, I'll get the cad software again also. I think the sim will help out rather than just guessing angles.
Interested in the box for sure!
I was thinking about the cut on the diaspore where 2 sides are pretty much just single cut large facets (c axis sides for the tourmaline) and then whatever on the other 2 (something fancy or flashy ab sides for tourmaline) just to give it some pop. Is this an idea that might work? The girdle is very thin on the 2 single cut sides I thought that would help as well.


Attachments:
facet.jpg
facet.jpg [ 160.3 KiB | Viewed 828 times ]
girdle.jpg
girdle.jpg [ 26.65 KiB | Viewed 828 times ]
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 12:35 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am
Posts: 1542
here is a quick design I did for you for your long tourmaline crystals with a closed C axis. It opens up the A/B axis color while minimizing the dark ends from the closed C axis. It is a bit more interesting and brilliant than straight Emerald cut sides. Easy to cut as well.

I have included both an image rendering and the cutting diagram as a PDF file.

If you are going to start using CAD to design cuts, I recommend Gem Cut Studio. It replicated the cutting process very well, and is easy to learn.


Attachments:
LongTourmClosedC.pdf [27.53 KiB]
Downloaded 41 times
SteveLongTourClosedC.png
SteveLongTourClosedC.png [ 43.59 KiB | Viewed 822 times ]
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 2:20 pm 
Offline
Gold Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm
Posts: 1424
Location: San Marcos, CA
j.mcgee_1985 wrote:
I would like to see as well if I can!

So with the closed material, or semi closed, you will always have 2 sides darker than the other 2 right(c axis sides)? And then the farther from center you make those sides the lighter the stone will be? (like a rectangle cut with the c ends as the small sides)

Yes that is the correct understanding. If you look at the image of Steve's design the left and right ends are black the closed c-axis. The angles of the end facets are steepened to keep the dark from traversing into the open axis. In some cases they can be as steep as 75 more degrees, and can be challenging to cut and polish with long slender stone, hence where building a support in your dopping technics really comes in handy. Some machine manufacturers make specialized dops as well for these situations.

_________________
The Gem Garden
San Marcos, CA


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Mon Apr 12, 2021 9:46 am 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am
Posts: 1542
For those of you who asked or are interested.

Here is a link to a video on the light box system I designed and built to evaluate rough and cut stones. It is a portable solution that gives me consistent and flexible light no matter where I am.

It works very well for me. I sell these to my students and it seems to help them a great deal with their purchases, and cutting. I don't want to violate any rules here on the forums about selling things. So if you are interested, PM me and I can give you more information.



Let me know what you think of the tool.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:17 pm 
Offline
Valued Contributor

Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2014 12:20 pm
Posts: 174
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
1bwana1 wrote:
For those of you who asked or are interested.

. I sell these to my students and it seems to help them a great deal with their purchases, and cutting.

Let me know what you think of the tool.



I ordered one already, looks handy dandy Steve! What's this about students? How does one get lucky enough to be taught by such a knowledgeable and experienced individual?

_________________
https://www.instagram.com/missouririversapphireco/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Mon Apr 12, 2021 4:30 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am
Posts: 1542
Hey Frederick!

Yes, I saw that you ordered one. You will get an email later today and the box will be in the mail tomorrow.

I teach Gemology and Gemstone Cutting here locally in live classes (Zoom since Covid-19). I also teach internationally and other remote students by Zoom. I enjoy teaching.

If you have questions or need advise on something please feel free to ask. I am always willing to help when I can.

Steve


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline - light box
PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 3:06 am 
Offline
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type

Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2018 1:04 am
Posts: 8
1bwana1 wrote:
Greg, I am shooting an instruction video for it on Sunday. I will reserve one for you if you decide you want one.

I am also interested in buying one. Rgds.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 5:38 am 
Offline
Valued Contributor

Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:50 pm
Posts: 194
Thanks Steve! That's awesome, I can't wait to try it out!
I had family visit recently so I had been spending time with them but I have some updates :)
I got the mdr machine! It came with a bunch of laps, I need help with a couple if you guys don't mind.
Machine looks WAY better than the Graves. I have to remove it and re solder the power wires, 2 came loose. Will be working to get this together and set up today.
The 10 gram stone came in as well while I was visiting with family, I'll take some measurements and post a couple pics of that later.
Here are some pics of the laps and the machine. Nothing is clean or put together yet.
Do you guys know what the cylinder next to the table adapter is?
The drawers are all there, just out because they had stuff in them. Wax and powder/paste mostly.


Attachments:
File comment: Not sure about these. 1 says #4000 hand engraved. The other stamped md&r 25.
Steel I think.

unknownlaps.jpg
unknownlaps.jpg [ 95.02 KiB | Viewed 584 times ]
extras.jpg
extras.jpg [ 178.2 KiB | Viewed 584 times ]
mdrmachine.jpg
mdrmachine.jpg [ 128.63 KiB | Viewed 584 times ]
Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 12:07 pm 
Offline
Gold Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm
Posts: 1424
Location: San Marcos, CA
Looks like an offset device for pre forming shapes like ovals, pear & marquise girdle outlines..

_________________
The Gem Garden
San Marcos, CA


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 1:02 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am
Posts: 1542
Yes, what Greg said, offset pre-forming attachment.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 1:35 pm 
Offline
Valued Contributor

Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:50 pm
Posts: 194
Ok awesome, thanks you guys!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Tourmaline
PostPosted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 1:39 pm 
Offline
Gold Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm
Posts: 1424
Location: San Marcos, CA
IF any of your laps have a two digit number stamped in them, usually around the arbor hole. They will be the original MDR laps.

_________________
The Gem Garden
San Marcos, CA


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 138 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... 10  Next

All times are UTC - 4 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 21 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Gemology Style ported to phpBB3 by Christian Bullock