GRADING REPORT BITB805
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Tourmalines
- Carat: 8.05 (4.18 & 3.87)
- Shape: Fancy Butterfly Crystal Slices
- Measures: 14.52x10.57x2.48 & 14.61x10.25x2.27 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Very Good
- Tone: Light 33 to Medium Dark 75
- Color Zoning: Visible
- Clarity: Lightly Included
- Cutting Grade: Excellent (for daring creativity)
- Brilliancy: n.a.
- Depth: n.a.
- Origin: Mozambique
Treatment: *None (surface oil)
Certificate No: IGE D17754 (see 'more images')
Overall Grade: Excellent (without rivals)
Comment: A new idea to make use of watermelon tourmaline: slice and cut a full crystal into two equal butterfly wings. To understand and visualize the concept we shot a larger number of images, close-up and hand-shots. Cut so thin you can see-through the butterfly's wing with normal daylight from behind (as image below). IGE duly noted oil on the surface improving this see-through feature but even less than with emeralds we consider this not a treatment distorting the gem's natural appearance or durability. Obviously, a delicate pair made for earrings, or for a collection of gemstone curiosity. Inclusions are visible only under the lens. Note how, on the very outer edge of the watermelon crystal, there sits another thin green layer just as the skin of the fruit would, a first sighting for me. Possibly, it might be hard to find a local goldsmith to design and dare a setting for these far-out creations. Therefore, allow us to do the setting and cover the risk in case these thin slices take damage, which they won't in experienced hands, rare as they are. Check the detail images. Interesting material for an audacious jewelry project.
