Tumbuka Fulu (Final Revision) in Tourmaline
Featured in Jewelry Artist Magazine – November 2010
Tumbuka Fulu Design by Jeffrey Hunt
Tumbuka Fulu Design development by David Dawson
Faceting by David Dawson
Tourmaline 5.85 ct
Faceter: David Dawson
Pattern: Tumbuka Fulu by Jeffrey Hunt
Weight: 5.85 ct
Size: 12.15 x 11.00 x 8.10 mm
Clarity: VVS
Color: Medium-dark, slightly grayish-pink
Treatment: Unknown
Origin: Unknown
At last–the final stone in the Tumbuka Fulu test-cut series! Tumbuka Fulu is the second of thirteen planned designs in Jeff’s African Suite.
In the mythology of the Tumbuka people of Malawi, the tortoise or “fulu” is the wisest of Earth’s animals. The final appearance of this stone was intended to be an abstract representation of the tortoise.
The original cutting sequence for this design utilized a preform. I faceted three stones in this manner (see my previous months’ gemstone features). However, I felt this sequence did not adequately conserve rough. Also, I was not quite satisfied with the optical performance, which resulted in an unusual cloverleaf pattern likely. With my suggestions, Jeff altered the design in a manner that eliminated the preform and also produced a more uniform light return.
The above featured gemstone represents the ultimate design manifestation of Jeffrey Hunt’s Tumbuka Fulu design. While this version features a slightly less complex crown, the tortoise-like outline of the original design was retained. Moreover, the yield potential with this new design was improved substantially. The rough tourmaline nodule from which this stone was cut produced a 39.21% return!
The final design sequence was quite clever in that it, not only sought to maximize optical performance; but also, it intended to facilitate yield. Further, it is a true meetpoint design.
This version of Tumbuka Fulu can be seen in the November, 2010 issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine. An online version of that design may be downloaded at: www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/media/p/1837.aspx
This version of Tumbuka Fulu is a test cut only and not for sale.
David Dawson
Ohio USA
osu_eyedoc@yahoo.com
Rough to Refined Gemstones
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