Tumbuka Fulu in Tourmaline
Design 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 4.65 ct
Faceter: David Dawson
Pattern: Tumbuka Fulu by Jeffrey Hunt
Weight: 4.65 ct
Size: 10.95 x 12.42 mm (L x W)
Clarity: VVS (growth tubules)
Color: Golden reddish-green, mixing to olive-brown
Treatment: Unknown
Origin: Unknown
This stone is the third of three initial test cuts that I completed for Jeffrey Hunt’s original Tumbuka Fulu design. Tumbuka Fulu is the second of thirteen planned designs in Jeff’s African Suite. Details of the original test cut (blue synthetic spinel) can be seen in the November edition of One World Gemstone at the following link: www.oneworldgemstone.com/artists/david-dawson/tf-blue-synthetic-spinel/
This version of Tumbuka Fulu was the last that I executed using the original cutting sequence with the preform. In the final version, which can be seen in the next installment of One World Gemstones, this preform has been eliminated.
The rough tourmaline, from which this gem was cut, displayed an unusual color variation. The AB axis was a bicolor red and green, while the C axis was a golden yellow. A bit of the red was left in the culet area of the gem, and this can be seen in the photograph. The red and green colors mix to form a unique (though not unattractive) brownish-olive-gold, which gives the stone an almost “military” feel.
The final version of Tumbuka Fulu– although slightly different than the stone seen above–can be found 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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