The Final C in Gemstones: Cut

[@silaskelly604]

Excellent tutorial. The best 9 minutes I have spent in a long time. (And I've been cutting gems > 50 years.)

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I appreciate that feedback. I know I've got heaps to learn, but I hope to share what I understand as fluidly as I can ^_^ Thanks

[@trevorallen2274]

I'm late to the party but I recently started going through more of your videos. Great information, but I'm still a schmuck. LOL😀

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Recognizing that we don't know is the first step to finding knowledge. Welcome to the club.

[@prasadbinuwara7519]

Nicely explained, and I love your presentation style

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I appreciate it, and hope that it's helpful to you.

[@douglasmukuma7393]

Valuable information indeed. I have noted that Cutters need to understand the angles at which different stones should be cut. Thanks Peter.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I’m glad to serve, Douglas.

[@violetvioletviolet1]

as always very informative and enjoyable! ty

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Glad to be of service ~

[@zzc8505]

I think I like extinctions (not too much, of course) sometimes in some stones --- those dark areas seem to deepen the colour, but again, if they aren't too dark or too numerous. I'd rather have extinctions than windows.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

If the choice is between one or the other, i'd agree with you. I quite despise window most of the time.

[@zzc8505]

@@GemologyforSchmucks "despise" is a suitable word for it

[@lorisewsstuff1607]

One thing I have noticed with some gem and mineral clubs is that they will gladly teach people to use the tools and equipment, how to cut facets, and how to polish. It's not that often that they go into detail about matching the cut to the material. It's sad to see someone showing off stones they have cut, but the stones just look dull. What a shame. I wish more lapidarists could see your videos.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks for your support of my work Lori~ I'd say the observation you've made is because of the difference between technicians and artists. The skills to execute a design can be learned by most anyone, but making the "right" aesthetic choices seem to require a different perspective.

[@SnowTiger45]

There are a few designs that rely on the "Extinction" to show a distinct pattern when looking straight through the table. I prefer to avoid it but it's not always possible.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thats a good point~ I feel like the "Hearts and Arrows" brilliant cut is a good example of that idea. As they say: when you know the rules, then you get to break them ;) Cheers

[@dr.d.y.saranathilake3597]

Thank you.Very good tutorial.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

My pleasure ~ i'm glad it was helpful.

[@marcelosgemas]

SUPER tutorial ! Thank you 😊

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you ~ I strive to make them as clear as I can. I hope to spread knowledge far and wide :D

[@har20031]

Great Video. Many thanks for sharing. One thing I want to know that apart from Critical angle how can we know which cut is best for such an such material.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Awesome question. I want to get into the specifics of that question when I team up with my lapidary friends who are well experienced in making gems come to life. Technically any cutting style that maintains the critical angles will be "fine", but we've found that some minerals and some individual stones within those materials are better shown off using specific styles. Thanks again for the question and ~keep watching ^_^

[@ameliavanderberg9543]

* it's ok if it's not perfect. Just make sure you get the right price. Lololol. So true

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

:D Glad you enjoyed it~

[@husamarab1385]

Amazing thank you so much

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I appreciate your encouragement Husam~ more to come~!

[@gemstonephilippines6596]

thank you i learned a lot

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I'm glad to hear it

[@gemstonephilippines6596]

@@GemologyforSchmucks please do a video about red beryl. Cause i got a 2.35 carat gem quality specimen but I don't know how to value it and also imperial topaz please... Thank you and God Bless you. From Philippines

[@debbiekeith489]

Hello Peter , I can I tell a star sapphire . Is there a trick that you could give myself an idea if it’s a real star sapphire. I wilI I have 2 rings rings that looks like a star sapphire, and I also have a ring with a pink star. How do I know if the real

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi Debbie, I have a few videos on star sapphires, and here is a link to one that should be of assistance for you in distinguishing synthetic and natural stars. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roKyc4B-lNp9e8k

[@kristalcallator2806]

Atrocious windows aside, rubellite color is so pretty.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Rubellite is indeed an attractive gem. I always get a kick when I see gem dealers ask if a certain piece of rubellite is a ruby. The colour can be quite compelling, though the luster is definitely different from ruby and should be fairly clearly different if they were side by side in decent lighting. A worthy gem!~

[@kristalcallator2806]

@@GemologyforSchmucks I have seen some beautiful rubies but there is just something mesmerizing I cannot pinpoint about the depth of rubellite's color. I plan to get one and have it set in my wedding ring. Currently I have a neon pink in there and it's beautiful, it glows in certain light. Still, I'd like a red one. My current one is scratched up a little if I closely inspect it as I wasn't too careful when I first got it.

[@arthurrotaru1984]

Hey Peter, I just discovered your channel and I love it, I m learning a lot of new stuff. I got a question though: in earlier video you said that transparent is the highest level of clarity, and the bigger the clarity the better the stone. Why is it now that windows (transparent zones) are poorly cut or less valuable?

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Welcome to the channel Arthur. This is a PHENOMENAL question. You're correct that I said (and do say) that higher levels of transparency/ clarity typically are more valuable than lower clarity stones (if colour and carat weight are equal). You're also right that window can in some ways show off how clean a stone is. The important point here is that if stones have window, you're not getting as much internal reflection of light, and therefore the stone doesn't come alive and show off its true colour. Exceptional cutting will cause light to bounce like a mirror, and poorly angled facets will allow the light to pierce through and escape. The bright patches of reflected light within a stone are how we judge the colour of the stone, not the blank or faint areas of window. A fantastic question Arthur. Thanks for asking it and starting my morning off with a brain juice boost.

[@arthurrotaru1984]

@@GemologyforSchmucks Thank you for the quick and detailed answer. So I guess we have some kind of trade-off here: it's better to sacrifice some "clarity" in order to get a better color (aka a more saturated one, if I am not mistaken?). I think it makes sense. After all, the beauty of a gem is the stone itself, not the thing that is behind it, so transparency is not really a must. Once again, thank you for your work, and I am afraid I will 'bother' you with even more questions as I continue to watch your videos!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

@@arthurrotaru1984 Absolutely on colour being more important than clarity~! Keep looking at as many stones as you can get your hands on. Once you've seen enough clean stones, I expect you might agree that fuller colour is more satisfying than simply glassy crystal material. I welcome your questions any time Arthur~ :D Stay curious

[@arthurrotaru1984]

@@GemologyforSchmucks I think I already agree with you on that, Peter. This weekend I am about to put my hands on a collection of gems that I've stored in an attic since I was like 13, can't wait to examine them with the knowledge I have now. :D