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Post by Paka on Jan 2, 2011 12:00:32 GMT -5
This is the second of two nice, large rhodolite garnets I had found at Cherokee Ruby Mine. The first one I think I'll just keep uncut as it is so pretty a specimen, but this second one I took up to Bob at the Cowee Valley Lapidary to have cut. Absolutely love how it came out!  Only question now is what I will set it in... I don't wear rings much, but might look best in one, maybe with diamonds.    |
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Post by stairman on Jan 2, 2011 12:52:06 GMT -5
nice stone! what did he charge you to cut it?
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Post by colorshapetexture on Jan 2, 2011 13:46:07 GMT -5
Ya might want to get a few of the rubys that Rick has from that old collection to go around it.
I think he had 5 or 6 stones. About .1+ in size. But nice pidgon blood rubies.
Nice stone bet that was fun to find.
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Post by Paka on Jan 2, 2011 16:31:45 GMT -5
Thanks!  Yep, with both those rhodolites I freaked when I saw them in the screens. ;D I forget the exact cost but he charges about $30-$40 for the first carat and a buck or two for each one after that. I have some finds from last season that I think I'll try sending to that Lambert Industries in Thailand to see how they do, since they're much cheaper. |
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Post by Ryan on Jan 2, 2011 18:29:21 GMT -5
That Rhodo is so pretty. What a delicate rosey pinkish purple that is! Almost looks like lavender amethyst. Nice cut also. Maybe you could forward me this gentlemans info? I would like some stones cut from some aqua rough I have and a few amethyst xls.
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Post by Paka on Jan 2, 2011 19:46:11 GMT -5
Thanks, I just love the color on them too! It is a shame that usually the ones you find there are small chips-- they tend to have broken apart before they settled in the deposit. There have been larger pyrope garnets found, but the rhodolites I found are the biggest they've seen there. Robert Dinnes (Bob) is the owner of the Cowee Valley Lapidary at - 1408 Ruby Mine Rd Franklin NC 28734 828-524-2321 He's been around a long time; no website or e-mail that I know of. Not sure when he'll reopen for next season, I'd guess March or April though. Along with Ruby City Gems- www.rubycity.com/ it is one of the two places locally we recommend to visitors at the mine as honest and good. |
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Post by CrossfireBusiness on Jan 2, 2011 20:16:55 GMT -5
thats a beauty
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Post by rockshine on Jan 2, 2011 20:41:10 GMT -5
Pretty stone Paka. Quite a testimonial you gave Cowee Valley Lapidary. Not withstanding your high opinion of them, I would urge anyone with a hard to find stone to learn more about any cutter they are considering . I worked in the native mines in Cowee from 1979 til 1993 and had dealings with many of the local "cutters". Some of these "reputable" outfits were amazingly able to cut ten perfectly matched faceted dark blue sapphires from ten brown sapphires overnight. Rockshine
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Post by Paka on Jan 2, 2011 22:37:06 GMT -5
Yep, I have definitely heard stories about some of them.  Ones that supposedly cut your stones in hours, completely transforming low quality tailings, lol. From what my friends who own Cherokee tell me, Bob (Cowee Valley Lapidary) and the folks at Ruby City Gems are both legit, so they and I will recommend them to guests there... but always good to do some research on whoever you're looking at using! And in fairness, I remember someone on another board voicing some suspicion about how Bob was able to build up such a collection of high quality Cowee rubies like he has. I also remember Bob telling me once that he had been accused of swapping stones, that people would get upset when he told them the stones they found at Sheffield that they were told were rubies were pink sapphires (though a judgement call on the color, of course). We've had a number of stones cut there, always been very happy with his work though he does take awhile. I know some guests at the mine complain about his gruffness/personality, but he's a good guy I think, that is just how he is. |
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Post by Ryan on Jan 3, 2011 2:02:57 GMT -5
Well there is certainly no lack of...er.. 'personality' among MAGMA members, so Im sure Ill manage. Thanks for the reference  |
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Only question now is what I will set it in... I don't wear rings much, but might look best in one, maybe with diamonds.
Yep, with both those rhodolites I freaked when I saw them in the screens. ;D I forget the exact cost but he charges about $30-$40 for the first carat and a buck or two for each one after that. I have some finds from last season that I think I'll try sending to that Lambert Industries in Thailand to see how they do, since they're much cheaper.
Ones that supposedly cut your stones in hours, completely transforming low quality tailings, lol. From what my friends who own Cherokee tell me, Bob (Cowee Valley Lapidary) and the folks at Ruby City Gems are both legit, so they and I will recommend them to guests there... but always good to do some research on whoever you're looking at using! And in fairness, I remember someone on another board voicing some suspicion about how Bob was able to build up such a collection of high quality Cowee rubies like he has. I also remember Bob telling me once that he had been accused of swapping stones, that people would get upset when he told them the stones they found at Sheffield that they were told were rubies were pink sapphires (though a judgement call on the color, of course). We've had a number of stones cut there, always been very happy with his work though he does take awhile. I know some guests at the mine complain about his gruffness/personality, but he's a good guy I think, that is just how he is.