One World Gemstone – Custom Faceted Gemstones

Tumbuka Fulu in Nigerian Tourmaline

Design featured in Jewelry Artist Magazine - November 2010
Tumbuka Fulu Design by Jeffrey Hunt
Tumbuka Fulu Design development by David Dawson
Faceting by David Dawson


Nigerian Tourmaline 2.15 ct
Faceter: Dave Dawson
Pattern: Tumbuka Fulu by Jeffrey Hunt
Weight: 2.15 ct
Size: 9.9 x 8.7 mm (L x W)
Clarity: VVS
Color: Light Baby Pink
Treatment: None
Origin: Nigeria via Brume Jeroh

 


This stone is the second of three test cuts that I completed for Jeffrey Hunt’s original Tumbuka Fulu design. Tumbuka Fulu is the second of thirteen planned designs in Jeff’s African Suite. Details of the original test cut (blue synthetic spinel) can be seen in the November edition of One World Gemstone at the following link: http://www.oneworldgemstone.com/artists/david-dawson/tf-blue-synthetic-spinel/

The cutting of this gem was the saga of “when good stones go bad”. Cracks, inclusions and other follies mocked me throughout the cutting of this stone. The final gem was only 2.15 carats, produced from an original rough of 14.75 carats. This represents, perhaps, the worst yield I have ever obtained. My yield problems were further compounded by the fact that the original cutting sequence for Tumbuka Fulu utilized a somewhat wasteful preform, which has since been eliminated.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable cutting problems, the final stone, once finally off the dop, was a near-flawless beauty! The Nigerian pink tourmaline, shown side by side with the original synthetic blue spinel, makes for a handsome (albeit much smaller) companion. Both versions employed the same cutting sequence. However, problems with the tourmaline rough obligated reducing the crown angles on the pink stone by 9.5 degrees from the original design. Nevertheless, the result was quite stunning.

When all was said and done, Jeff Hunt (who supplied the rough for cutting) felt so bad for my struggles that he gave me this stone as a personal gift. It remains one of my wife’s favorites.

The final version of Tumbuka Fulu can be seen in the November, 2010 issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine. An online version of that design may be downloaded at: . http://www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/media/p/1837.aspx.

This version of Tumbuka Fulu is a test cut only and not for sale.






 




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