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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ Gem and Mineral Specimen Finds or Processes _ Cutting/faceting recommendation sought

Posted by: GeoMatt Nov 18 2016, 11:07 PM

I've spent the last 8 months on a pretty intensive travel schedule related to some exploration work I've been involved in. Within that I've been able to visit some well known, and not so well known collecting localities. I have some rough that I would like to have cut/faceted to make some jewelry for my wife - in particular some really nice peridot. Alot of it has limited potential (0.3-1 ct.), but I have a handful of 2-4 ct. rough material that I think is worth cutting.

To that end, does anyone have a stone cutter recommendation here in Colorado or elsewhere? Or maybe there is someone on here who could do the work? I don't need perfection, these are 5 carat diamonds, but I want someone with at least decent avocational skills in the area.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by: EMac Dec 1 2016, 08:58 AM

Did you have any luck? I know D&D do lapidary work, but I'm not sure if they're into gem faceting.

I'm not personally aware of any gem cutters, but Google shows there are a couple at least. Near Denver I found Denver Gem Cutting LLC and Good Neighbor Gem Cutting, and near C. Springs there is Revolution Jewelry Works.

I've had zero interaction with any of them, so can't speak to their work.

Posted by: CP Dec 2 2016, 08:37 AM

Hope you find a faceter to work with too Matt. Faceting is much different than cutting cabochons and involves a whole different set of tools than we have for working with. Thanks for recommending us though Emac, very kind of you! Sorry I don't have anyone to recommend either for faceting.

Posted by: GeoMatt Dec 2 2016, 10:44 AM

Like you, I did the web search EMac, and I came up with a few options. But I can't find anyone who has dealt with any of them. Looks like I'll probably try to meet a couple of options after the holidays and see where that leads. Nothing I have is super rare, so if it doesn't turn out like I want, I'll just go find some more rough.

How was Murfreesboro EMac??

Just to keep everyone entertained, here is a pic of some of the peridot that I've come out of the field with this year.

Posted by: EMac Dec 5 2016, 11:19 AM

Murfreesboro was a good time, but I ended up only finding some some small calcite, jasper, etc. that's ubiquitous there. The ground was fairly hard-packed, and I wish I'd taken a pick. I got a lesson from a seasoned hunter on sifting for gems which was helpful. It certainly sped things up.

There were quite a few folks out there, but not as many willing to walk to the far southwest corner. That's where there were quite a few private equipment sheds for regulars to the park. It's a bit out of the way, but I would like to go back.