#TucsonGemShow - Master Cutter and a "Prospector" on the Weather Channel Display Record Topaz in Tucson

One of TV's "Prospectors", Richard Fretterd,

 Shows Record Topaz in Tucson

by Christine Ford

A Woodland Park prospector and a Sedona gemologist set the gem and mineral world to talking at the recent Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Richard Fretterd displayed some of his rare apricot-peach colored topaz crystal specimens from his "Angus Dei Tribute Pocket". The biggest one, cut and faceted without computer assistance by gemologist Stephen Kotlowski of Sedona, is the largest faceted topaz from Colorado by 3 times. 

The finished stone, called "The Agnus Dei Tribute Topaz", weighs 1,345.15 carats or just over half a pound. Fretterd says Agnus Dei is a Biblical reference to John 1:29, and is "a tribute to the Lamb of God." It originally came out of the pocket at just over 1.5 pounds, or 3,634 carats, according to Kotlowski. That's a 37% recovery from the original topaz, he said. 

The crystal is now a very deep oval shape and took Kotlowski about 120 to 140 hours of labor to complete. It is finished to the highest possible polish and meets the criteria for a competition type stone, where judging is typically done using a 10x loupe. It has a total of 275 facets.

Only the most experienced of gemologists could create this type of faceting by hand and eye or " on the fly" as Kotlowski described it, without assistance from GemCad or any other preset computer design. He has been faceting colored stones since he was a teenager " back in 1969," he said, and has done it professionally since the early 1980's. He received his Graduate Gemologist degree, in residence at GIA in New York in 1984 and received "Certified Supreme Master Cutter" status from the American Society of Gem Cutters in 1989. He has also won numerous awards, including several AGTA Spectrum " Cutting Edge" awards.

The "Angel" is 171.77 carats and the reflection of the facets
when viewed face on with the narrow end up resembles an angel.

The Tucson show was the Tribute gems' first public appearance. It created a sensation, and is even being considered for acquisition by the Smithsonian, according to Fretterd, who said he would prefer to see it stay in Colorado, perhaps at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Fretterd recently donated a 345 pound smoky quartz from the Lake George/ Florissant area to the Pikes Peak Historical Society Museum in Florissant, in memory of his late brother Vincent, joining a 439 pound smoky he donated some years previously. Fretterd is deeply spiritual and shows it by his generous nature, including his willingness to support local venues. He hopes to see the PPHS museum expanded to include a gem and mineral "Hall" of local specimens. 

Kotlowski surprised Fretterd at the Tucson show by bringing another specimen of Rich's which he was not expecting to be ready. The "Angel" is 171.77 carats and the reflection of the facets when viewed face on with the narrow end up resembles an angel. Turned in certain lights, it appears the angel moves its wings. Kotlowski took the original 450 carat rough crystal and created a custom blunted triangle from it. It is also apricot-peach in color and from the same pocket in El Paso county. 

It just goes to show, says Fretterd, that "the U.S. has wonderful minerals. too"

 "And gems!" added Kotlowski.

Photo Credit: Stephen Kotlowski

About Christine:Christine Ford lives near Lake George, Colorado. Hard rock mining in her family goes back at least four generations, from the ore mines of Michigan's UP to Austria in the 1800's. Nowadays, she calls herself a rock hound. She grew up in Wisconsin and raised her two children in Alaska. Christine was a member of the Chugach Gem and Mineral Society; she spent one summer prospecting the Yukon alone.

Ms. Ford has been an occasional contributing writer for several local publications, including newspapers and tourist guides, since 2005. She recently wrote a two part series on The Weather Channel's reality TV show, Prospectors. Ms. Ford is also an accomplished photographer, her photos can be seen at www.redbubble.com/people/Christine Ford

Christine has been disabled since 2000 by degenerative disk disease, 3 spinal fusions and fibromyalgia, but continues to expand her world whenever possible.

#TucsonGemShow - JCK Tucson - Design Center

You would never have known that the JCK Tucson Show was in its FIRST year!  ...aside from the expected slow traffic on the opening day for AGTA GemFair Tucson - the show floor was very busy - especially the lower level!

There are several reasons for this but first and foremost it was the quality Brands represented...starting with the stunning Designers featured in the Design Center upstairs...just a few that caught my eye!


Erik Stewart Fine Jewelry

The fabulous award winning Arizona Designer Erik Stewart has definitely settled into a "style" all his own! 

Erik’s design concepts stem from the vivid imagery from his engagements with music, visual and performing arts (wife is a dancer), food, and travel. His strong affinity for geometry within nature, minimalistic elegance, and transforming complexity into simplicity are significant motifs in all of his jewelry. The ESJ brand is innovative, conceptual, and dynamic.

With the objective of challenging and expanding notions of jewelry design by the jewelry industry, retail market, and himself, Erik Stewart welcomes every publishing/educating opportunity. Areas of expertise that he can speak on include: jewelry design, design process, jewelry aesthetics, computer aided design (Matrix), gemology, and the relationship of architecture and jewelry.

“My concepts reflect my lifelong story. The elements are purposeful and intentional expressed as Art for the Body.” -Erik Stewart, G.G.

Vasant Designs - Acclaimed jewelry designer Vasant has been a citizen of the world her entire life, and yet, it wasn't until her decade long annual visits to India began that her inspirations blossomed in to a lifelong artistic quest for perfection. She soon found herself pouring through trays of precious and semi precious stones in search of perfect adornments for herself, her friends and her clientele.

She loves to see how women "know" exactly which stone and piece is right for them. Whether it is the depth of the color or complementary properties of the corresponding stone, she looks for the exact qualities inherent within the gem and its bearer. "Somehow, it's always the right fit! I get so much pleasure out of seeing my designs light up a beautiful woman and in turn to see how her natural beauty makes my creations even more stunning to the eye."   http://www.vasantdesigns.com/

The always amazing ALISHAN!  Alishan Halebian is one of the most original artists creating and pursuing his own vision in jewelry. Being a self-taught goldsmith, his treatment of precious metals is masterly. Using sophisticated techniques, he creates seemingly weightless pieces, capturing metallic beauty in a luxe look with textures set to thrill and inspire.

Alishan's Armenian heritage brings the philosophies of two world cultures, East and West together, which burst into creative expression of style in his distinctive collections. His discerning clientele are attracted to his designs for their notably individual characteristics and emotions, confronting line and form. 

...jewelry for a sophisticated wearer; strong, accomplished, appreciates graceful beauty and elegance, a person with confidence, style and taste.   http://www.alishanonline.com/ 

GELLNER jewelry is an alliance between the creative power of nature and the formative power of design. Close cooperation with internationally renowned jewelry designers, together with ideas from our own goldsmith studio, are what give the Spirit of Pearls its uniqueness.  http://www.gellner.com/

The gem laden work of Laura Gibson - Laura Gibson is inspired by color. It is the language she uses to create her beautiful pieces. Vibrant, joyful color juxtapositions are her forte. Her pieces speak an elegance that is unique; texture and subtleties of color are combined together in true artistry. Her work is worn by the young and old alike. She is the 2006 winner of the Retailers Award for Color; and a 2007 winner of the "Designers of the 21st Century" award, by JQ magazine. Today, Laura Gibson creations are carried by galleries and fine jewelers across the country. Each necklace bears an "LG" signature clasp, as a guarantee of authenticity.    http://www.lauragibson.com/

  

California Designer David Heston's Heston Designs - His original works are a daring mix of sterling silver, 18k gold, rubber, diamonds, and colored stones. A former sculpture Heston shares, “Jewelry has endless possibilities of shapes and forms, like sculpture. I’m seduced by the medium.” 

Holding a B.A. degree in Fine Arts from the University of Arizona and a Graduate Gemology Degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Heston’s designs continue to redefine cutting edge style. “I attempt to strike the perfect balance between bold and sculptural.”

"I gather inspiration from all works of art both classical and modern, but my style is truly my own. I hope I will be able to evolve and surprise for the next 50 years." With lifestyle in mind David’s jewelry is meant to be worn all the time, transitioning from casual to formal wear with ease.  Both men and women’s fashion continues to evolve, I hope to be ahead of that curve. His recently launched line of rubber, sterling and diamonds is indeed doing just that—