design by Fred van Sant, 37 facets

I feel there is too much emphasis placed on clarity and lack of inclusions. Rutilated quartz is a lovely material with fine needle-like stands of golden rutile (titanium dioxide) making for a very interesting stone. Faceted rutile quartzes are regular award winners in major faceting competitions. The rutile strands can however make polishing the surface a bugger.

This was triksy to photograph - see the video for a better impression.

The final high polish is achieved with 0.3 micron chromium dioxide polish on a darkside lap for extra flatness and crisper facet edges.

No retouching or colour modification (or dust spot removal!)


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(I am a part-time physics researcher and gemcutter. The two share an obsession with precision and symmetry. My lapidary experience goes back to the 1970s starting with a professional tumbler. Using a modified Polymetric faceter I cut gemstones for their own sake rather than as a business. Cutting to optimize aesthetics rather than maximize weight frequently spending 20+ hrs on a stone. You will not find gemstones cut and polished to this standard on the high street!)


Gemstones are fiendishly difficult to photograph accurately. I believe that one has to look at the stone - under a variety of lighting to decide on whether it is right for you.

So I offer a simple, no-fault returns policy.

I want customers to be completely satisfied. A stone may look good on the screen but may not be right for you when seen. If so then simply return by registered insured post within 30 days for a full refund. Please email me first so I am expecting the stone. I strongly recommend that you use tracked, insured post - as I do when mailing out.


Searching youtube for 'ian robinson precision cut gems uk ' will find videos of many of my stones.
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