Stone : Natural Blue Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #328
Design : Trouble With Tribbles (J. Rowland / Robert W. Strickland)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 12.5 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 15 x 15 x 9 mm
Price : Avaliable through the Green Gem Foundation

Comments : There is something about that beautiful natural blue colour in these topaz that come from O'Briens Creek. Natural blue topaz is truely a very pretty stone. They look gorgeous at night and are definitely gems of the evening. This design is one of my favorites and cuts a very flashy and bright gemstone. This gem is available through the Green Gem Foundation with all proceeds going to that cause.

Stone : Amethyst
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2009
Item : #148
Design : The Trouble With Tribbles (J. Rowland / Robert W. Strickland)
Origin : Uruguay
Treatments : None
Weight : 3.25 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 10.3 x 10.3 x 6.5 mm
Price : $340 AUD

Comments : A very smart little amethyst which shows the wonderful rich colours that this material from Uruguay is known for. It is eye clean and has an interesting and well placed zone that is clear of colour. Its not huge or anything, rather it's shaped like a "V" and when the gemstone is pointed downwards it looks like a mask with the zone making the eye slits. I think this zone (or rather the orientation of it) will need to be taken into account when setting it. It doesn't really show up in the pictures unfortunately. A very fine gem.

Stone : Amethyst
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2009
Item : #151
Design : The Trouble With Tribbles (J. Rowland / Robert W. Strickland)
Origin : Uruguay
Treatments : None
Weight : 6.5 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 13mm X 13mm X 8mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : If you after after a good dark amethyst from Uruguay, this is the one for you. Its a large stone and a bit on the dark side. It has several small veil inclusions in one corner which are very hard to spot and would mostly likely be hidden by the setting. It is predominately deep blues and purples and violet pink flashes. Overall a very impressive gem.

Stone : Natural Blue Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #357
Design : Trouble With Tribbles (J. Rowland / Robert W. Strickland)
Origin : Severn River, Stanthorpe, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 29.3 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 20 x 20 x 12mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : This awesome and magnificent natural blue topaz was sent to me to be cut by a collector who dug the stone along the Severn River near Stanthorpe. This is another area (called the "Granite Belt") where beautiful topaz can be found. There were two large rough topaz pebbles sent to me, this one and #358 and they were just amazing to see. One day "natural blue topaz" will be "discovered" by people and the marketplace and they will scratch their heads and wonder why it had taken so long. This gem is superb and certainly a collector's gem.

Stone : Natural Blue Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #289
Design : The Trouble With Tribbles (J. Rowland, Robert W. Strickland)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 24 carats
Clarity : Very Very Slightly Included
Size : 19 x 19 x 11.5 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : A spectacular natural blue topaz from O'Briens Creek. This design is amazing in topaz and performs exceptionally well. This is a lovely, big gemstone and would be perfect as an evening pendant.

Stone : Natural Blue Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2008
Item : #42
Design : The Trouble With Tribbles (J. Rowland, Robert W. Strickland)
Origin : O'Briens' Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 21.74 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 18mm X 11mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : Okay folks, this is something special. This is a real collector's gemstone, especially if you are into collecting localities. This gem is a magnificent example of a Mt Surprise / O'Briens Creek topaz. It is eye clean except for a spot the size of a pin-point that is visible using a 10X loupe. It is well cut with lots of action. If you like your gems large, then this is the one for you. It would make a pendant that would stop people in their tracks. There is also a hint of blue in this gemstone.

See this gemstone being cut.

Stone : Amethyst
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2009
Item : #103
Design : The Trouble With Tribbles (J. Rowland / Robert W. Strickland)
Origin : Brazil
Treatments : None
Weight : 8.9 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 15mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : A wonderful amethyst from Brazil. Not overly dark, good flash. Make a great pendant.