GEMSTONE CUTTING - World's most undervalued and underrated gem?

Is this the world's most undervalued and underrated gem ? It is relatively rare, so it's not always easy to find high-quality specimens in large sizes. Why has it been overlooked? Do you know what it is? Please leave a comment.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Most people got the answer correct. This gem is Zircon from the Northern Territory of Australia. This gem should not be confused with Cubic Zirconia which is a man-made gem. It has great hardness and scintillation . Also, the range of colors in Zircon makes it a fantastic gem that is easy to cut and polish.

[@GemstonePhilosophy]

I was thinking Oregon Sunstone at first, knowing it has a high refractive index, but when you pointed to zircon on the list, I thought, "well that makes sense, too". I do wish your videos included more information about the gems you are working though. Equally as fascinating as watching these beautiful stones brought to a lustrous polish is to know what they are, where they came from, and what physical properties make the stone suitable for jewelry and in what circumstances they should be used. The stone has a story, and I find it problematic that so many cut stones exist and so much information is lost about them. It's also kind of difficult to identify a stone without having a specimen in hand to perform hardness or streak testing. Only following a subtle clue isn't good practice for identifying. I just want to know what it is without questioning my conclusion. That being said, another beautiful stone by Vintage Time. I really do love your videos, so I'm not trying to be rude.

[@VintageTimeGems]

This gem is Zircon. I made a few other vids on Zircon that explain more. This vid show a novice how to facet a freeform gem.

[@Keilsyar.]

Not 100% sure what this is as I'm new to lapidary, but I will say that Zircon is criminally underrated. It cuts like a dream, can be easily heated for different tones and colors, and absolutely shimmers. My favorite material so far.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yep you are correct that Zircon is criminally underrated. And this gem is a Zircon. I'm with you cuts easily and sparkles like crazy and has hardness. Whilst Sapphire is often difficult to facet and too dark and overrated. I'd expect Zircon is decades to come to be more expensive as supply depletes.

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

Glad to see a new video, I must do one myself. The color is zircon, so I guess that. Some of the other preforms had that light peach color you can get in zircon as well. I'd love to get my hands on some good rough.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Tony. It's Zircon from the Northern Territory. My second most fav gem. Eeasy to cut and has so many different colours and shimmers.

[@OzoneFineArtVentures]

I love your system with the post it notes for the particular stone and your reference material. Totally analogue if the interwebs are down. The stone was also lovely with it's asymmetry. I had guessed Oregon Sunstone but it's not hard enough. Thanks for sharing, cheers!

[@ManuelGarcia-ww7gj]

Welcome back! Long time, no see. I was going to guess citrine, but by the time you finished I changed my mind. It's zircon in all probability.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yep, it's Zircon. Cheers

[@jeffholmes1362]

Zircon, at least I feel it’s underrated, and I love it. Good to see you back. Thanks for sharing

[@VintageTimeGems]

Spot on Jeff. It's Zircon in this video.

[@maxq3372]

A really long time ago, I saw an older guy smashing old TV screens at the dump...... He was collecting the larger pieces of glass, for learning to facet... I thought that was pretty cool.... Cheers bro.

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

Speaking of which, I will list some soon. Comes out like a slightly tinted topaz.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks for watching....

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Well, I was thinking Garnet Cliff. Zircon! The oldest stone on the planet. Great job. 👍 from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's an Aussie Zircon from the NT.

[@yankeetimeline]

Beautifully done. Natural zircon rough is hard to come by here in the USA.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yep, it's Zircon.

[@kathylecluyse7820]

At first I thought it was citrine going on the colour. I was wrong, of course. I should have known that zircon is your absolute favourite, and for good reason! Lovely gem, btw.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi Kathy...It's Zircon.

[@elsiehair8136]

Been watching your excellent videos for some years, thank you. If it's not too impertinent can I ask what is the camera and lens you use, just love the close-up shots?

[@VintageTimeGems]

Just a Olympus 14 megapixal with macro.

[@jeffbirk9065]

It looks exactly like a Zircon, I have cut before. Mine had a gradual change from almost clear one end, to a pinky brown the other end & my cut ended up very similar too, like a kite shape or coffin shape.

[@Ciceroinvencoeseartes]

You work was excellent congratulations 👍🤝👍

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you

[@jenniferfox301]

I thought Zircon or Topaz. By the end of the video I was still undecided but went with Zircon as, in its blue colour, its my birthstone. ❤ UK 🇬🇧

[@denisereynolds64]

you take a rock from the earth and make dreams reality, this is perfect natural beauty. thank you for sharing

[@marcoallin]

i love your video, we can feel the passion through the screen

[@offyarocka]

WOW thats a stunning stone for sure!!!! I would not have guessed zircon

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yep, it's Zircon.

[@wizard44]

gorgeous

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you.

[@stormcrowemissaryofsophia2366]

that ciara's mood gem design, looks really good in pleocromatic zircon. old mate at the lapidary in derby says hi.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hello...Derby Tassie is a great place. Nice gem club there in the main street. I would love to go back this Christmas to dig some topaz. Yep, this is Zircon...Topaz is my favourite gem, then followed by Zircon.

[@HecateWitch13]

what a beauty! its gorgeous in the sun

[@Liburni]

fantastic result in any case, congratulations,

[@benjamindejonge3624]

Love your sturdy machine, tell more about it

[@mikesackos2208]

Cliff, great video on how to facet a freeform design!

[@Algoldprospecting]

Cool stone

[@KS-hj6xn]

Looks nice and firey!

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

nice work man

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks

[@austinbertelson4525]

Good to see you back. You make great videos and your work is always great and interesting. Pretty obvious from your clue that it’s zircon.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yep it's Zircon

[@trueherbsman]

❤how organic it is 👍

[@VintageTimeGems]

It Zircon organically grown in Australian dirt.

[@rafaelamonperez9899]

Hi, where can I find that papers where the angles you found for the gem

[@edwingemstone]

Nice gemstone Diamond

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks

[@gedwilson1853]

Hi , where can I get that book on angles ?

[@johnnynephrite6147]

where is index "fortain"? I cant find it on my machine.

[@sodalines]

the reason nobody likes this gemstone is because of the name. it sounds like zirconia witch is fake diamond. If it had a different name all together it would be worth alot more i feel. Great video m8

[@darkeen1372]

My tip Zircon

[@VintageTimeGems]

You are correct...It's Zircon.

[@donanderson9269]

Morganite or maybe some sort of garnet?

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's Zircon

[@shahabdaryai1311]

hola te felicito quedo muy hermoso eres un verdadero artista todo tu trabajo es una hermosa obra de arte👌👍👏👏👏👏

[@alonsocarvalho5996]

Muito bom revê-lo. Lindíssima peça.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks

[@kated2847]

Beautiful. I wonder when you are FaceTime, how do you know how long to hold the stone to the wheel? Is it by feel? Sound? How do you know when it is enough?

[@VintageTimeGems]

By sound and feel. This cuts are by sound. Then onto checks with the loupe.

[@jeffren70]

Oregon Sunstone

[@VintageTimeGems]

Zircon...

[@suzanneoshannessy7666]

What is the stone The stone Very pretty in colour

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's an Australian Zircon.

[@Acegemstones1]

❤❤❤❤

[@canadiangemstones7636]

Pretty stone!

[@FatKidBrody]

Madera citrine

[@VintageTimeGems]

No, it's Zircon. This does look like Madera citrine.

[@duelenigma7732]

zircons are lovely radiant gems . They cost more than the inexpensive quartz stones and their name is a turn off to the lay folks because of CZs . Fact is colored stones just are not as easy to sell as diamond .

[@DuncanL7979]

Marketing is a powerful thing.

[@barry7608]

Australian natural Zircon, I need some cut, can you do it?

[@VintageTimeGems]

Too busy..Sorry

[@barry7608]

@@VintageTimeGems thanks for the response, I enjoy the vids anyway, take care.

[@nanmy8115]

Hi..can you teach how to cutting concave diagram😊

[@saundergroundmb9007]

Hey how are u I love your content it's lovely ,I have a blue hauyne gem 💎 I want cut it it's really lovely it's weight 40 cts

[@todtiger]

Great video, but please ditch that din in the background

[@albertdavidabdool8441]

I believe this to be Zircon.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yes...You are correct it's Zircon.

[@eddiecalabro7265]

👍

[@mdgulfaraj4281]

💎💎💎💎👌👌👌👍👍

[@Benitoite1145]

Is it zircon?

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yes it is....

[@iantonkin1929]

100% Zircon amazing stone

[@tefocharlesmodise9937]

Hi Cliff...am I allowed to challenge you to facet that translucent part of an agate? I wanna see something. 😅😅😅😅 My 32yr old little brother and I are fighting about the result every day

[@FatKidBrody]

While it's a lovely stone I would really have to think about how to set it . That would be a challenge.

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

Custom Bezel mount? Most freeform are mounted in custom clew settings.

[@FatKidBrody]

@@TonysGemDesignswithGCS I though of that but it has such a deep pavillion.

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

@@FatKidBrody The above? , not really, maybe a little.

[@SnowTiger45]

Zircon ?

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yep

[@lukahilbig]

No wayyy

[@claytoncarson111]

Alexandrite?

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's Zircon.

[@stephbgg6451]

zircon ?

[@stephbgg6451]

or hessonite ? but it has not so hight RI ....?🤔

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's Zircon. Well spotted.

[@VintageTimeGems]

@@stephbgg6451 It's Zircon.

[@Mirko-zy8nj]

Ciao amico ti scrivo dal litalia I tuoi lavori sono fantastici sarei interessato ad aquistare qualche pezzo OK fammi sapere come metterci daccordo

[@affordablewebsiterescue]

I think it looks like feldspar

[@VintageTimeGems]

No, it's Zircon.

[@affordablewebsiterescue]

@@VintageTimeGems Thank you!

[@SpeedRacer-pz9jn]

I know you are whacking on a zircon, thanks to your "clue" lol. Cool design. Perhaps Cubic Zirconia has destroyed the REAL zircon market ? I have some topaz rough from Viet Nam of a similar color in my rock pile.

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's Zircon...

[@bobs-rocks]

To me it looks like topaz

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's Zircon.

[@danielharris3827]

you are cheecky, OPAL

[@VintageTimeGems]

Zircon.

[@MikeG-js1jt]

Looks a little like a coffin

[@tgfcujhb7583]

Pepsi

[@mediastar9309]

garnat