[Jewelry making - Article 00271] - Re: [Orchid] Fragile gemstones

[Gerry]

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    All, On the subject of tourmalines.  I have recut about 500
    tourmalines in the last two years.  Most of these stones were cut in
    Asia or Brazil and I recut them.  Cutting from already fashioned
    stones has been the most problematic. I have noticed that most of the
    pink tourmaline is very fragile.  Just today out of four stones I
    worked on the pink tourmaline gave me many problems obtaining a
    satisfactory polish.  None of the other tourmalines were problematic.
     I attribute these problems directly to heat treating. Multicolored
    tourmalines have always presented problems.  A Himalayan stone from
    California that weighed 15+ carats when finished, of nice red one
    side and bright green on the other still is a nightmare.  A friend
    of mine had finished the stone and placed it in a stone paper.  I was
    going to a show and he asked me to take the stone to display it and
    possibly sell it. When he opened the paper there laid two stones.  It
    had split directly on the color line with no chips or fragments. 
    This was a very costly stone. I have encountered no problems with
    multicolored tourmalines from Africa. Most of our newer stock is from
    Namibia and except for the bright greens we have had no problems.  I
    suspect that the bright greens are being subjected to high heat, just
    like the pinks and the treatment is creating polishing problems. 

  Gerry Galarneau
  ggwcr AT cox.net
  www.galarneausgems.com 

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