Exotic melon from darkest Africa, maybe effected by flaws, but wins you over with its fruity color. It weighs 4.82 carats.
Buying faceting rough is not easy and getting a winner every time is impossible if you keep pushing the color envelope. This pontification comes from buying rough over the internet since I have purchased very little material in person. All I really want from the picture and description of the rough for sale is an honest presentation.
I knew from the picture and grade that the large piece of tourmaline rough, that ended up being cut into this posted round was heavily included. Still I like its apparent color (color on the internet can be deceiving) and I felt that the rough had good crystal/transparency between the flaws. When I received the rough, I was pleased that I had not been mislead by the dealer or my instincts. Still when the grinding was done on the preform, I had produced a lot of gray/brown sludge and was looking at a yield that was probably about 15 per cent. The finished standard round brilliant has eye visible naturals (I love the word) that noticeable affect the brightness of the gemstone. So why am I smiling over a flawed stone that came at a pretty steep price considering the large loss of material in cutting? The gemstones color is distinctive and reminds me of exotic melons in the grocery story that I don’t try, because I might like them and could not afford more. It just can not be your average muskmelon, it is too reddish.
Even if I obtained a clean replacement for this color, I would not reject my veiled friend. It is not only that I got the most out of the rough or that it was fun to be challenged in the preforming stage, or that it cut and polished beautifully despite its flaws. No, it is its color and my melon patch will always need as many examples of her beauty as I can plant. This melon weighs 4.82 carats and is best chilled before serving.
Bruce
