The Fascinating Process of Cutting a Rare Tanzanite Gemstone

💎Tanzanite gemstones are commonly heat-treated to achieve the popular purple-blue color, but unheated tanzanite can display a variety of colors, including this rare orangey hue.

✂️The process of cutting a tanzanite gemstone involves grinding a flat spot for attachment, preforming the stone into a general shape, and then cutting and polishing the girdle, pavilion, and crown facets.

🔍Designing the crown facets is a crucial step in achieving symmetry and minimizing shadowing in the finished stone. Facet placement and angle adjustments are meticulously done to create a captivating sparkle.

⚙️Using a 600 diamond grit lap for grinding, followed by a 3,000 grit lap for pre-polishing, and a greenway lap for final polishing, tanzanite is delicately brought to life, showcasing its unique optical properties.

👉Tanzanite is known for its relatively soft hardness, which requires careful handling. While it polishes quickly, proper care is needed to maintain its beauty and minimize wear.

Is this the natural color of tanzanite?

—Yes, this tanzanite gemstone exhibits an unusual orangey color, which is unheated and a natural occurrence. Most tanzanites are heat-treated to achieve a purple-blue color.

What is the hardness of tanzanite?

—Tanzanite has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. While it polishes relatively quickly, it is important to handle tanzanite jewelry with care to prevent wear and damage.

Why is designing the crown important?

—Designing the crown facets allows for optimal symmetry and sparkle in the finished stone. By carefully placing and adjusting facets, shadowing can be minimized, enhancing the overall beauty of the gem.

What is the significance of the greenway lap?

—The greenway lap, embedded with chrome oxide, is used for the final polishing of tanzanite. It brings out the stone's luster and finish, showcasing its unique optical properties.

Can tanzanite be cut using a computer-generated design?

—While some gemstones are cut using computer-generated designs, in this video, the cutting process was done freeform. However, the creator mentions that designing the crown on a computer beforehand would have allowed for more precise cutting.

00:00Matt introduces a rare piece of tanzanite with an unusual orangey color, which is unheated and natural.

01:40Using a 600 diamond grit lap, Matt grinds a flat spot for attaching the stone and preforms it into a general shape.

02:10Matt cuts girdle facets to form a rectangular cushion, establishing the outline of the stone.

03:58After cutting the girdle, Matt adds facets to the pavilion, adjusting angles for symmetry and precision.

05:13Using a recreated diagram, Matt designs the crown facets and continues cutting and polishing the stone.

06:46Finally, Matt finishes polishing the stone, revealing its captivating color and brilliance.