Amethysts For February Birthstones

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Hi Everyone!
Amethyst is the Birthstone of February.
Amethyst is a Purple, Lavender, or Violet Quartz Gemstone.
Custom Gem Cutter has many faceted Amethysts available for sale on Custom Gem Cutter

Take a look at the Amethysts for sale on Custom Gem Cutter!

Ametrine 7.43cts

Amethyst 2.25cts

Amethyst 3.78cts

5.60ct Afgan Ruby, Oval Brilliant Cut By Matt

This is the most beautiful Ruby we have ever seen! This stone started at 19 ct, with a few problems with cracks and inclusions. It is now, 5.60 ct and VVS to IF with one tiny fracture that is only seen with a 10x loupe. 
This stone is a Custom Cut Gem from Custom Gem Cutter. You can see more Custom Cut Gems on http://CustomGemCutter.com

Oregon Sunstones ~ Beautiful Gems

Hi, Sweet Friends!

Today we are pleased to have Matt A. Dunkle here from Custom Gem Cutter to talk to us about these beautiful Oregon Sunstones!

CJ: Hi, Matt. You cut so many gemstones, what makes Oregon Sunstone any different from, say a piece of quartz?

Matt: Quartz is "tougher", but Sunstone is finickier. What I mean is that Sunstone, as a feldspar, has a cleavage problem that often crops up while cutting and polishing the stone that presents certain problems. It can be a bear.
CJ: Does Oregon Sunstone come from only one mine in Oregon?

Matt: Sunstone, from Oregon, comes from many mines in Oregon, but specifically it is found in Harney County, Oregon and in eastern Lake County, north of Plush, Oregon.
CJ: What are the colors these stones can be found in?

Matt: Oregon Sunstone is basically a clear (white) to straw yellow colored stone. It also may sometimes contain small platelets of copper "inclusions" that give the stone a "sheen" often seen in cabbed stones.  Red Sunstones has copper "coloring" spots (an infusion of copper ions into the crystal lattice of the stone) that can give the stone a red coloration.  Reddish orange, salmon-pink, and even green are all colors found in Oregon Sunstone.
CJ: How long have they found Sunstone in Oregon?

Matt: Actual mining has been occuring at least from the 1960's.
CJ: If I were to make a piece of jewelry, what would be the piece to do it in? What is the hardness?

Matt: Ideally, pendants and earrings are the best. To a lesser degree, rings, but becareful because the hardness is midrange, stones set into rings are more prone to being scratched.
The hardness of Sunstone is 6.5-7.2 .
CJ: I like the multi colors that the Sunstone is in. What do you like about it?

Matt: My preference in color is reds and greens, although some of the salmon-pink colors are nice too. What I try to avoid is any occurrence of the copper "shiller" inclusions
CJ: Is there anything else that we should know about Sunstone from Oregon?

Matt: Red Sunstone also occurs in bi-colors of red and green. Oregon Red Sunstone prices can vary from $20/ct. upwards of $2500/ct., depending on the colors, and size, and quality of the stone.
CJ:Thank you Matt A. Dunkle for dropping in to do this quick interview. We love your cut stones and jewelry. What is the next project you have lined up for your customers?
Matt: I'm actually working on Sapphires and would be more than happy to chat with you again soon on these beautiful beauties!

Again, it is a pleasure to have you here with us today!
I hope you all learned a little bit about Oregon Sunstone that you didn't already know!
Enjoy!

 Our Sponsor: Matt A. Dunkle of Custom Gem Cutter

True Rare Beauty ~ Large 424ct Rare Topaz ~ Video

Hi Everyone!
Here is the latest video of the Huge Topaz cut by Matt A. Dunkle of Custom Gem Cutter for Choice Gems Co.
Enjoy!

Reminiscing...425carats "Magama star" untreated blue-green topaz #topaz #magamastar #choicegemsco #coloredgemstones

A post shared by Choice Gems Co (@cgemsco) on Apr 16, 2017 at 8:29am PDT

A True Rare Beauty - Update!

The Topaz was 2012 Carats before trimming and pre-forming this stone.  Link to original story

Here is the current cutting and polishing of the pavilion and crown of this exceptional cutting project. The close up shots are final polishes and the topaz gem transfer shows the cutting of the crown.  More updates coming! Stay tuned for the final photos of this amazing Huge Unheated Blue Topaz from Nigeria!

by Matt A. Dunkle.

This is the crown being cut to shape. The next steps will be to pre-polish the crown, then cut the table. After the table has been cut and pre-polished, then the final polish will be done on this gorgeous stone. Because of it's large table, care and precision are given to each and every touch of the stone to the polishing lap. The diamond polish is very very fine and can scratch the large table's surface even with the most gentle of care. This is where the time and patience comes in to play. With a steady hand and keen eye to detail, patience and slow polishing, the stone will become a remarkable stone to behold. I am so anxious to see the finished results. 

Stay tuned, this project is in it's final stage and the resulting masterpiece will be a sight to hold!

Enjoy!

CJD.Sign

Our Sponsor: Custom Gem Cutter - Matt  A.  Dunkle