Is the gem you are looking at the right "size"? by John Dyer

Guest Post - Reprinted with the permission of the author...

Many people come to me looking for a certain carat "size" of gem, but they don't realize that often this is not the best measure to tell whether the gem in question will work for their project or not.

Since carats are a measure of weight and not a measurement of visual size they can be misleading. Imagine looking for a one pound block of wood or a one pound block of steel. They both would weigh the same, but the block of wood will LOOK far larger because wood is less heavy than steel.

When you are choosing a gem it is very important to consider the millimeter size since the varying densities of different gem materials and also the varying depths of different cutting styles can result in a significantly different “face” size, even between gems with a similar carat weight.

Millimeter (mm) size is far more important for practical purposes than the carat weight. You want to know the carat weight because your friends (or customer's friends) will ask. But you need to understand the mm size so you know if a particular gem will work for the design and style you want.

So it is very important that you get a feel for MM sizes and what they mean in visual and practical terms.

Also keep in mind the shape of the gem, some shapes will look larger even if they have the "same" mm size. See example below. 

Due to screen resolution, etc. the image is not actual size. But it serves to illustrate what we are talking about.

For a more complete version of this article and printable PDF's with rulers, explanations and other useful guides to choose the right size gem please go to:  http://www.johndyergems.com/MM-Size.html

Have fun finding just the right gem for yourself!
John Dyer
www.johndyergems.com

#JWLV - AGTA GemFair - the Jewel of JCK Las Vegas #JCK2013

This year the American Gem Trade Association's GemFair Las Vegas held new treats and old favorites around each corner!

From every new artisan's favorite - Vista Gems colorful, candy shop, display of yummy gems...

...turn a corner a suddenly a loooong booth filled with settings.  Gems4Less offers mountings of every kind in every metal, and there among the rows was this amazing bracelet woven of gold wire - with a very ancient feel! 

One of my favorite companies Manak had some really stunning slices in Tanzanite and Emerald...

Diamonds - rose cuts and melee in every color imaginable....

....and Diamonds as clear as water!

Campbell Bridges Tsavorite...

Award winning Gem cutter Ben Kho with stunning gems and a really great line of Jewelry that his daughter works on with him...

Victoria Louise Designs - a NEW fabulous gem dealer with fun solid gem rings...love the extra touch of the Makers Mark and diamond on the shoulder.

While we are talking gems we need to take a look at Columbia Gem House - Fair Trade Gems

...and one of the nicest men working in the gem industry - John Dyer's Custom Cut Gems!

Finally - last but certainly not least PEARLS!  ...you don't get much better than Jack's at Sea Hunt Pearls!

....a big Thank You to Danielle and the onsite team at AGTA!

#JWLV - John Dyer's StarBrite™ Cuts Take Center Stage at AGTA Las Vegas at JCK

When you hear terms like "Ripple Top" and Zig Zag it may bring school yard bullies to mind (yes I was four eyes!).  Then you add "Super Trillion", "StarBrite" and "Light Weaver" and you realize that we are talking about Super Heroes!!!!   Gem Cutting Super Hero John Dyer to be specific!

Previewing just a few of the StarBrite™ cuts that will debut at the show!

See you at the AGTA Show inside JCK Las Vegas!  BTW - it opens one day before JCK!

12.21ct Square StarBrite™ Citrine

2.23ct UNHEATED Square StarBrite™ Tanzanite 

The Multiple International Award Winning Gem Cutter will be available at...

    AGTA GemFair™ at the JCK Las Vegas Show

May 30 - June 3, 2013

Booth #AGTA 1204

#GemCutters - Intro to Gem Cutting and Recognizing A Well Cut Gem

I have been planning this series of blog posts since the Tucson Gem Show where I had the privilege of getting to know some extremely talented Gem Cutters...well I have finally found the time!


We are going to talk to and feature the work of some of the most important Gem Cutters of our time, but before we get started with that we need some information so we can assess the work we will be seeing in the weeks to come.


So - let's get this ball rolling with a couple of videos by John Dyer.  


First up - we are going to learn to distinguish a Well Cut Gem from a Poorly Cut Gem.





I love John's Tutorials because he is so easy to follow and can convey technical info with out losing his audience.


Now that you have the knowledge to chose a cut gem - lets look at a brief explanation of what goes into cutting a gem.





I will be featuring John Dyer and his work in a future post but I want to give you a little information.  I always want to know why I am listening to what someone has to say...

In a 2004 article for Professional Jeweller Magazine, famed Gem & Jewelry Photographer, Robert Weldon described John this way.

"John Dyer has achieved the highest pinnacles of success in gem cutting despite – or perhaps because of – his modest nature. Free of the bounds of arrogance and self-importance, he pursues beauty for beauty’s sake. Along the way, he’s won multiple American Gem Trade Association Cutting Edge Awards. And the 25-year-old has done it all since embarking on the colored gem path less than a decade ago.

“That kid is so young and so talented,” says Gary Dulac of Gary Dulac Goldsmiths, Vero Beach, FL. “When we met at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows just a few years ago, I was impressed with the quality of his work and his humble, open personality. He has come to know my needs and invariably recommends a gem that works perfectly with my designs.”

Other jewelers share Dulac’s enthusiasm. Don Fane, goldsmith for Robert Giede Designs, Menomonie, WI, says Dyer’s gems are easy to set because they’re perfectly symmetrical and that they’re so well polished they look exceptional in jewelry."

The very next year in 2005 John swept the entire Faceting Category at the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards...and has walked to the podium to collect an Award every year since.  John has through all the accolades, managed to maintain his integrity and humility, always willing to  offer helpful tips and support to new cutters.


John Dyer's Website:  http://www.johndyergems.com/
Take a minute to "Like" him on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/johndyergems
...and Follow him on Twitter:  @JohnDyerGems