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Spring 2014

How big a stone can be cut on an Ultra Tec?  That's a frequent question.  We've learned that it's a question asked much more frequently than there is an actual attempt to cut "ultra" big stones - but there's always a lot of interest in the subject.

Well...how about this stone, pictured here...an apricot peach Topaz, from Colorado... dubbed the "Agnus Dei Tribute Toaz": At this point the stone weighed an estimated 1,750 carats before it was transferred to cut the crown..  

That's big.  Note that the Mast was set onto a 2" Riser Block (to make the height setting more comfortable).

The finished stone, 1345 cts. 

It was cut by Stephen Kotlowski for Richard Fretterd and Jean Cowman on the TV series show "Prospectors" on the Weather Channel.  It is part of the episode "Legendary Topaz".

Here's a look at it, close to actual size...(a bit  over 3 inches wide). 

See the stone being mined:

 Okay.... Now That's Big!

We've written about Scott Sucher before - he specializes in the cutting of accurate replicas of famous Diamonds (and you may remember the National Geographic article and TV Documentary about his replica of the French Blue.)  You will enjoy his very informative website. 

Well, along came this:  At the Ventura County Museum (California), there is an exhibit of historic figures, done by historian George Stewart - marvelous detail - one-quarter size.  There are now more than 400 figures, used to accompany George Stewart's dramatic historic monologues.  Needless to say, It is an impressive and popular exhibit.

About six months ago the Museum approached Scott - asking if he would do a number of one-quarter sized diamond replicas - each to be worn by the appropriate historic figure, to be worn, as jewelry.  Scott liked the project, and agreed.  He cut the scaled replicas and they set in miniaturized settings of the jewelry worn back then.  For example, the figure of Louis XV is a one-quarter sized scale model of the Golden Fleece (a small stone, but no  small effort for Scott because of its complexity). This Ventura show will be a great merging of diamond history with personal histories showing the diamonds in their actual context.

Scott's actual size replicas will also be on display.  The date of the exhibit - May 2nd to September 7, 2014. 

As well as Scott's website - and the Museum website, check out an article about it in

The replicas and figures involved will include the following:

-- The French Blue (better known as the Hope) Diamond, exhibited with Louis XIV and Louis XV
--Regent with Marie Antoinette 
--Beau Sancy with Marie De Medici
--Mirror of Portugal with Queen Elizabeth I
--Orlov with Catherine the Great
--Koh-i-Noor with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert    

 

We welcome all our ULTRA TEC cousins as FANS -- your, pictures, videos, expereinces, comments and suggestions are always welcome!

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