I have one exactly like the stone you started with. I was told it was Aquamarine but at the price I knew it wasn't. I figured I'd buy it to recut it. I conducted a hardness test on it and discovered as I expected, that it is in fact GLASS !! Luckily I was refunded 100%.
Pretty. Looks like a great intermediate piece for someone learning to cut stones. Nice result that could easily be given to a young person to get them interested in the field at very little cost to yourself.
It may not be topaz, but it's still a beauty. Well cut Mike. The design is really cool. My wife and I had the chance to visit Bopie's (and actually got to meet Bopie herself, she's very sweet) this past weekend as we settle into NC. Bopie's goldsmithing and your gems are absolutely phenomenal in person! Pictures and videos simply do not do them justice! As always, thanks for sharing.
Nice recut! I enjoy the looks of the whirlpool design. Also it was nice to see some of the investigation being done on the stone to disprove what they though it was!
In the end despite it not being topaz it still had a lovely appearance, very nicely finished with the second cut you gave it , definitely made a difference to the faceted gem/glass 🤷 those that don’t know the difference would be easily fooled . 👍
Interesting! That would make it fairly pricey rough. But if it is from a Johnny Walker bottle, I would think the seller would have stated that instead of stating it was 'lab created Topaz'. I suspect there is some market for gems cut from the more rare whiskey bottles.
To my untrained eye, that looks like "Bombay Sapphire" Gin bottle. I have cut a bit of it myself. Glass is always fun to experiment designs on, but it's unfortunate that it is used to deceive.
@@michaelcampbell5567 could be. But if it was me, I would have advertised the gem as being from Johnny Walker Blue...I suspect some collectors would value a gem such as that.
Whatever it maybe, Topaz or Glass or Aquamarine, I don't know, but design whirlpool is awesome, you did a fantastic job 🎉🎉
Yes, the Portuguese is one of my favorite designs to cut...but there are a lot of facets to cut and polish!
I have one exactly like the stone you started with. I was told it was Aquamarine but at the price I knew it wasn't. I figured I'd buy it to recut it.
I conducted a hardness test on it and discovered as I expected, that it is in fact GLASS !!
Luckily I was refunded 100%.
Good job on the detective work to figure out it was glass!!!
Pretty.
Looks like a great intermediate piece for someone learning to cut stones.
Nice result that could easily be given to a young person to get them interested in the field at very little cost to yourself.
Yes, I agree. Thanks.
It may not be topaz, but it's still a beauty. Well cut Mike. The design is really cool.
My wife and I had the chance to visit Bopie's (and actually got to meet Bopie herself, she's very sweet) this past weekend as we settle into NC. Bopie's goldsmithing and your gems are absolutely phenomenal in person! Pictures and videos simply do not do them justice!
As always, thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Yes, Bopie told me you dropped in. She is the star of the show and she just loves to create awesome pieces of jewelry.
Nice recut! I enjoy the looks of the whirlpool design. Also it was nice to see some of the investigation being done on the stone to disprove what they though it was!
Thank you.
Always we have bundle of information from your videos. Thank you. Do you have any experience in faceting gems on a handpiece faceting machines ?
I do not have any experience using a handpiece faceting machine. Sorry.
How do you fix the stone to the metal for cutting? Thanks
You can attach the gemstone to the dop with several methods. Wax, 2 part epoxy, or super glue. I am currently using a UV light activated super glue.
There are only 2 thing I know that are cut below quartz RI, opal and glass. I can say this is 100% not opal so...
Indeed.
Yes, I believe you are right.
great Video Mike. Happy new year!
Thank you and Happy New Year to you also!
In the end despite it not being topaz it still had a lovely appearance, very nicely finished with the second cut you gave it , definitely made a difference to the faceted gem/glass 🤷 those that don’t know the difference would be easily fooled . 👍
That is Johnny Walker Blue bottle glass
Interesting! That would make it fairly pricey rough. But if it is from a Johnny Walker bottle, I would think the seller would have stated that instead of stating it was 'lab created Topaz'. I suspect there is some market for gems cut from the more rare whiskey bottles.
@@mikesackos2208 Empty bottles only 30 USD on Ebay.
To my untrained eye, that looks like "Bombay Sapphire" Gin bottle. I have cut a bit of it myself. Glass is always fun to experiment designs on, but it's unfortunate that it is used to deceive.
It could be from a bottle, I don't know for sure. The final stone is pretty!
@@mikesackos2208 Bombay Bottle not that thick. That is Johnny Walker Blue bottle glass.
@@michaelcampbell5567 could be. But if it was me, I would have advertised the gem as being from Johnny Walker Blue...I suspect some collectors would value a gem such as that.
Great info, as always. But no Bopie. 😐
Thanks! Bopie will be in future videos, whenever she has a finished piece of jewelry to show you all.
Maravilha mesmo
Thank you.