Zultanite - Cutting Zultanite and Changing Colors

Zultanite, like Diamonds, has perfect cleavage which makes it one of the most difficult stones to cut. It is easy for the gem to cleave or split apart in one direction. The cutter has to orient the rough correctly to minimize this tendency.

In addition, the cutter has to position the gem's angles in such a way as to bring out the full color change inherent in the gem. Zultanite can test the expertise and skill of even experienced cutters.

Zultanite yields less then 2%, which means 98% of the rough is lost in the cutting process. This is considered a very low yield in the gem world. It is one of the reasons Zultanite is so precious and hard to find in larger sizes. Over 5 carats is considered exceptionally rare.

The Zultanite name is a guarantee that each gem is cut by the most experienced cutters in the world and has optimal proportions.

The world's largest eye-clean Zultanite weighs 80.25 carats. It was cut by master cutter Stephen Kotlowski.

The original weight of the starting rough crystal was a little over 260 grams and Mr. Kotlowski spent 20 hours spread over several days to complete the cutting of this magnificent gem.

This oval shaped gem is the proud 3rd Place winner in the 2009 Cutting Edge Awards.

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