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What's New
1/4/2013
I have created a new page to list some of the gem rough that I have available. This listing is by no means complete but it will give you an idea of some of the gem rough that is available for you to select from. In the menu on the left the option is "AVAILABLE Gem Rough".There's alot of nice eye candy for you here.
I have also listed some new rough just in so if you see something that you like and would like it bespoke cut for you let me know.
New Rough Listed : Golden Beryl, Brazil, #r189
New Rough Listed : Imperial Malaia Garnet, Matched, Tanzania, #r190
New Rough Listed : Imperial Garnet, Matched, Tanzania, #r191
New Rough Listed : Imperial Garnet, Matched, Tanzania, #r192
New Rough Listed : Grossular Garnet, Matched, Tanzania, #r193
New Rough Listed : Electric Blue Topaz, Brazil, #r194
New Rough Listed : Sky Blue Topaz, Brazil, #r195
New Rough Listed : Peridot, Pakistan, #r196
New Rough Listed : Rhodolite Garnet, Tanga, Tanzania, #r197
New Rough Listed : Chrysoberyl, Tanzania, #r198
New Rough Listed : Zircon, Tanzania, #r199
New Rough Listed : Rose Quartz, Tanzania, #r200
New Rough Listed : Ox-Blood Citrine, Tanzania, #r201
New Rough Listed : Madeira Citrine, Tanzania, #r202
New Rough Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, Africa, #r203
New Rough Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, Africa, #r204
New Rough Listed : Ametrine, Bolivia, #r205
New Rough Listed : Ametrine, Bolivia, #r206
New Rough Listed : Green Tourmaline, Afghanistan, #r207
New Rough Listed : Pink Tourmaline, Nigeria, #r208
New Rough Listed : Garnet, Matched, Africa, #r209
26/3/2013
Here is an outstanding citrine gem cut in an exciting 'domed' crown style design. Magnificent colour and intensity.
Also just in a nice parcel of gem rough... blue topaz, malaia garnets, golden beryl, chrysoberyl, rose quartz and other goodies. Will list them in the next few days for you to see. If you see something that you like and would like it bespoke cut for you let me know... first in, best dressed.
New Design Listed : Kalli
New Gemstone Listed : Flame Orange Citrine, 11.4 ct, Brazil, Kalli, #521
21/3/2013
I have finished listing a parcel of concave cut gems. Please note that these concave gems were not cut by me, I had them cut for me. I am very happy with the quality of the cut and finish, it is very high, quite good indeed. All the topaz and smokey quartz were hand dug by myself at O'Briens Creek in North Queensland. This is beautiful material, especially the smokey quartz. People don't realise just how beautiful this material can be. This smokey is natural and untreated and from a perspective of pure colour, the mocha, chocolate, coffee, tan tones are without equal. Most people I would say have only seen the irradiated material... the vast majority of commercial smokey quartz in the marketplace has been irradiated and that darkens the saturation and deadens it, in my opinion. The O'Briens Creek smokey quartz is really a beautiful stone, completely natural and literally, mine are the only hands so far that have touched it.
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 3.5 carats, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Trillion, #c51
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 4.6 carats each, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Iris, #c20
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 2.9 carats, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Teardrop, #c18
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 4.3 ct each, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Oval Checkerboard, #c15
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 2.4 ct each, Matched Suite, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Square Cushion, #c19
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 5.1 ct each, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Square Cushion, #c14
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 5.1 ct, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Trillion Fancy, #c12
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 5.4 ct, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Round Fancy, #c11
20/3/2013
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 5.4 ct, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Trillion, #c10
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 4.1 ct each, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Trillion, #c5
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 7.1 ct, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Trillion Fancy, #c9
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, .95 ct each, Matched Parcel, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Iris, #c4d
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 1.5 ct each, Matched Parcel, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Iris, #c4e
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 1.5 ct each, Matched Parcel, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Iris, #c4c
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 2.3 ct each, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Iris, #c4
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 14.6 ct, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Concave Octagon Star, #c3
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 2.8 ct, Pakistan, Nigerian Cushion, #496
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 2.6 ct, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Nigerian Cushion, #494
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 3.5 ct, O'Briens Creek, Australia, Nigerian Cushion, #493
19/3/2013
New Gemstone Listed : Rose de France Amethyst, 12.75 ct, Brazil, Concave Teardrop, #c45
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 10 ct, Brazil, Concave Trillion, #c44
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 8.2 ct, Brazil, Concave Fan, #c42
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 5.65 ct, Brazil, Concave Trillion Zig, #c41
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 5.3 ct, Brazil, Concave Trillion, #c40
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 2.6 ct, Brazil, Concave Rectangle, #c39
New Gemstone Listed : Citrine, 4.7 ct each, Matched Pair, Brazil, Concave Iris, #c30
New Gemstone Listed : Citrine, 8.8 ct, Brazil, Concave Octagon Star, #c29
New Gemstone Listed : Golden Citrine, 1.9 ct each, Matched Pair, Brazil, Concave Square Cushion, #c27
New Gemstone Listed : Citrine, 4.75 ct, Brazil, Concave Trillion Fancy, #c25
New Gemstone Listed : Citrine, 1.6 ct, Brazil, Concave Round Brilliant, #c24
New Gemstone Listed : Citrine, 3.3 ct, Brazil, Concave Oval Checkerboard, #c23
18/3/2013
Over the next short while I will be introducing some very fine concave cut gems. With the exception of some amethyst and citrine, this is all material that I have personally hand dug at O'Briens Creek, North Queensland. The gems have been well cut but not by myself. The finish and polish of these gems is excellent and the cutting top quality.
It should be remembered that the vast majority of smokey quartz on the market has been irradiated to manufacture a very dark and lifeless stone. This material from O'Briens Creek is a very different beast and is completely natural and untreated. This allows the beautiful subtle mocha, coffee, chocolate and tan colours to really shine through. Take another look at smokey quartz and be very pleasantly surprised.
To begin with, here are some O'Briens Creek smokey quartz. There will be topaz, amethyst and citrine to come so stay tuned.
New Gemstone Listed : Smokey Quartz, 8.5 ct, O'Briens Creek, Concave Square Cushion, #c34
New Gemstone Listed : Smokey Quartz, 2.75 ct each, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, Concave Square Cushion, #c38
New Gemstone Listed : Smokey Quartz, 8.7 ct, O'Briens Creek, Concave Octagon Star, #c36
New Gemstone Listed : Smokey Quartz, 4.8 ct, O'Briens Creek, Concave Pentagon, #c35
New Gemstone Listed : Smokey Quartz, 1.85 ct each, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, Concave Iris, #c33
New Gemstone Listed : Smokey Quartz, 3.5 ct each, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, Concave Hexagon, #c32
New Gemstone Listed : Smokey Quartz, 1.85 ct, O'Briens Creek, Concave Square Cushion, #c31
14/3/2013
New Gemstone Listed : Blue Topaz, 10.5 ct, Pakistan, Trouble With Tribbles, #517
New Gemstone Listed : Blue Topaz, 3.5 ct, Pakistan, Asscher Cut, #516
New Gemstone Listed : Blue Topaz Matched Pair, 2.4ct each, Pakistan, Asscher Cut, #515
23/2/2013
Hi Everyone,
Well its been a while since I've listed some new gems but I've finally got some cut and ready to go. I hope you like them. In particular, there is a very fine suite of malaia garnet asschers and a lovely matched pair of peridots. I hope you enjoy this offering and don't forget that I do custom orders so if you are looking for something special just let me know.
NEWSLETTER #37 email sent to subscribers
New Gemstone Listed : Silver Topaz, 2.7ct, O'Briens Creek, French Calibre Cut, #500
New Gemstone Listed : Silver Topaz Matched Pair, 1.7ct each, O'Briens Creek, French Calibre Cut, #502
New Gemstone Listed : Pink Tourmaline, 3.5 ct, Afghanistan, Scissor Cut, #503
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz Matched Pair, 2.3ct each, O'Briens Creek, Asscher Cut, #505
New Gemstone Listed : Malaia Garnet Matched Suite, 5,5,10ct each, Tanzania, Asscher Cut, #508
New Gemstone Listed : Golden Beryl, 4.8ct, Brazil, Signature #3, #509
New Gemstone Listed : Peridot Matched Pair, 2.3ct each, Pakistan, Mini Mint, #512
Cheers,
Doug...
11/1/2013
NEWSLETTER #34 email sent to subscribers
Subscriber sale now on!
Now that I've got all the traveling out of my system (for the time being anyway) I will shortly resume cutting. Everyone that has placed orders I will soon be getting in touch with. If anyone has any particular materials or cuts that they'd like to see more of just let me know. If you would like to place an order, again just let me know.
Thank you all for your continued support and patience. I'm looking forward to cutting some beautiful gems this year so stay tuned!
26/11/2012
Hi Folks,
Been a while since I've put anything up on the website. I'm back from traveling and will be cutting again early in the new year. To everyone who has requested custom cutting I will be getting in touch soon to discuss your stones. Thank you for your patience.
I have posted my BESPOKE GEM DECEMBER 2012 CATALOG and it is now available for download. Just click on the pic below to open the PDF file.
Thanks, Doug...
19/6/2012
Hi Folks,
I hope you are all doing well out there. I'm still travelling around and at the moment I'm in the Northern Territory. I was very lucky to chance across an old bloke who has a lease and mines 'zebra rock'. This is a type of rock that is unique to this part of Australia and has very distinctive reddish-brown/creamy-white patterns. The pieces I managed to get are perfect for carving work.
Zebra Rock
1/4/2012
NEW GEMSTONE ADDITIONS #32 notification email sent to subscribers
New Gemstone Listed : Biron Emerald, 3.8 ct, Emerald Cut, Man Made, #489
New Gemstone Listed : Imperial Malaya Garnet, 2.8 ct, Birdie, Africa, #488
New Gemstone Listed : Golden Beryl, 3.7 ct, Square Brilliant, Brazil, #488
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 6.8 ct, Supernova, O'Briens Creek, #484
New Gemstone Listed : Rubellite Tourmaline, 8.7 ct, Acorn, Nigeria, #481
New Gemstone Listed : Vivid Pink Tourmaline, 2.7 ct, Antique Round 1910, Himalaya Mine, USA, #480
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 35.8 ct, SG1, Brazil, #482
New Gemstone Listed : Pink Tourmaline, 2.7 ct, SG1, Afghanistan, #479
Hi Folks,
I hope everyone out there is doing fantastically and keeping well.
The big news that I want to share with you is that the time has finally arrived! After dreaming of it for years, I've now got two weeks left before I head off on my around Australia trip. Yes, the mighty blue kombi and I are heading off for a "quick" lap around Australia this winter (southern hemisphere). This is something that has been in the pipeworks for a long time and this year all the stars have aligned so that I am able to take four or maybe more months off to go for a big drive. Figures vary depending on routes but the distance for a trip around Australia is in the vicinity of 16000KM!!! Now, bear in mind that my kombi "Bucephalus" is a 1976 model with a top speed of 80km (and thats with a good tail wind :-) so the four months I have allowed, I think, will probably end up like six or more.
The plan at this stage, and its all subject to change at the drop of a hat, is to head off from Townsville in Queensland, out to Mt Isa, up to Katherine and Darwin in the Northern Territory, across to Broome, down the Western Australian coastline to Perth, down to Albany (which by this time will be very cold which the kombi loves), across the Great Ocean Road and the Nullarbor Plain and up to the bottom of Lake Eyre for a pilgrimage to "Planehenge" which I painted back in 2000. From there its Wilpena Pound, Adelaide, Cowell (for some black jade), over to Melbourne, Sydney and up the east coast to hopefully get back into Cairns around the end of November for the solar eclipse. That's a big drive!
Part of me thinks I'm nuts, but the other part thinks it pretty darn exciting! :-) I have no idea what to expect and to be honest my belly feels like a whole swarm of butterflies have taken up residence. There have been trepidations and little anxiety attacks but hey, if the window of opportunity presents itself, the choice at the end of the day is very simple, you either do or you don't. This is the year for me to do it, so I'm doing it. This opportunity might not ever come again.
So, this might be my last or second last update of gemstones for a little while. While I am away all my stones will still be available and for sale as I am leaving them with the gemshop and friends. Its still a couple of weeks before I head off but once I do, you can still purchase my gems as per normal. Just send me an email and it will all be taken care of, just allow a few extra days for a reply. I'm still happy to take orders but it might be a little while before I can do any cutting.
For these last two weeks I am having an Easter Sale with 10% off all my gems, so buy a gem and sponsor a Doug on his round Australia trip! :-) I plan to do some digging for stones as I go and will be posting pics and updates on this page so keep checking back to see where and what I'm up to.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all my customers and friends for their support, without you this would not be possible. You've helped make a dream happen.
Cheers and my thanks,
Doug...
13/3/2012
NEW GEMSTONE ADDITIONS #31 notification email sent to subscribers
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 8.1 ct, Origami Star, Uruguay, #477
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 8.1 ct, Square Brilliant Crown Radial, O'Briens Creek, #469
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 4.5 ct, Mock Check Square, Brazil, #475
New Gemstone Listed : Spessartite Garnet, 6.2 ct, Mixed Brilliant Step Oval, Africa, #474
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 18.7 ct, Signature #3, Stanthorpe, Australia, #473
New Gemstone Listed : Rhodolite Garnet, 3.2 ct, Brilliant Pear, Africa, #472
New Gemstone Listed : Colour Change / Colour Shift Grossular Garnet, 2.2 ct, Mini-Mint, Africa, #471
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 18.7 ct, Pharoah, Brazil, #469
New Gemstone Listed : Black Spinel, 2 ct, Tut's Pyramid, Weld River, Tasmania, #468
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 2.3 ct, Phi Flower Dome, Nigeria, #466
New Gemstone Listed : Peridot, 2.1 ct, Simple Portuguese, Pakistan, #465
New Gemstone Listed : Malaya Garnet, 3.7 ct, Victoria Regent, Africa, #464
New Design Listed : Simple Portuguese
New Design Listed : Tut's Pyramid
New Design Listed : Pharoah
New Design Listed : Ten Main Oval
New Design Listed : Square Brilliant Crown Radial
9/2/2012
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 20 ct, Ten Main Oval, O'Briens Creek, #463
1/2/2012
Here is an article that appeared in the MyCareers supplement of the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper 21/1/2012.
The Switch - From Computing To Stone Cutting
29/1/2012
New Gemstone Listed : Aquamarine, 13.4 ct, Acorn, Brazil, #455
New Gemstone Listed : Pink Tourmaline, 2.4 ct, Acorn, Afghanistan, #456
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 4.4 ct, Octagon Spike, O'Briens Creek, #457
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 4.6 ct ea, Octagon Spike, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, #458
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 3.3 ct, Simple Portuguese, Matched Pair, O'Briens Creek, #460
15/1/2012
Hi Folks,
I hope you all had a happy festive season and are ready for an exciting 2012. This update is basically all eye candy as the cut gems listed have been sold already or were custom orders, I hope you don't mind. I've also tried experimenting in my photos by adding in some rough stones in the background. I thought this might enrich the pics a little by being able to see the rough and cut stones together.
There is some very nice new rough listed that is available to be cut for custom orders including some excellent pink tourmaline from the Himalaya Mine in California. I have also added a new page containing information for the O'Briens Creek Campground.
Cheers and enjoy!
NEW GEMSTONE ADDITIONS #30 notification email sent to subscribers
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Champagne Topaz, 6.8 ct, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, #432
New Gemstone Listed : Rose Quartz, 3.1 ct, Antique Round 1910, #420
New Gemstone Listed : Rose Quartz, 1.7 ct each, Matched Triplet, Victoria Regent, #421
New Gemstone Listed : Rose Quartz, 1.3 ct each, Matched Triplet, Supernova, #441
New Gemstone Listed : Rose Quartz, 4.3 ct each, Matched Pair, Asscher, #444
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 1.7 ct each, Matched Triplet, Victoria Regent, #422
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 1.3 ct each, Matched Triplet, Supernova, #438
New Gemstone Listed : Amethyst, 4.5 ct, Asscher, #442
New Gemstone Listed : Blue Topaz, 2.5 ct each, Matched Triplet, Victoria Regent, #427
New Gemstone Listed : Blue Topaz, 1.8 ct each, Matched Triplet, Supernova, #435
New Gemstone Listed : Blue Topaz, 5.6 ct, Asscher, #443
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 1.7 ct, Rainbow, O'Briens Creek, #450
New Gemstone Listed : Topaz, 3.1 ct, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, #451
New Gemstone Listed : Peridot, 6.8 ct, Victoria Regent, Pakistan, #446
New Gemstone Listed : Black Spinel, 2.3 ct, Asscher, Rubyvale, #449
New Gemstone Listed : Black Spinel, 5 ct, Flat Oval Inlay, Rubyvale, #452
New Rough Listed : Pink Tourmaline, 18 ct, Himalaya Mine, California, #r188
New Rough Listed : Pink Tourmaline, 27.6 ct, Himalaya Mine, California, #r182
New Rough Listed : Malaya Garnet, 13.5, Tanzania, #r183
New Rough Listed : Rhodolite Garnet, 19.3 & 19.8 ct, Africa, #r185
New Rough Listed : Rhodolite Garnet, 26.7 ct, Africa, #r184
New Rough Listed : Amethyst Crystal Tip, 158 ct, Brazil, #r186
New Rough Listed : Rose de France Amethyst, 161 ct, Brazil, #r187
New Page Added : O'Briens Creek Campground Information
19/12/2011
New Gemstone Listed : Rio-Grande Citrine, 8.2 ct, Victoria Regent, Brazil, #434
6/12/2011
New Gemstone Listed : Rio-Grande Citrine, 2.5 ct each (Matched Pair), Sparkman 2, Brazil, #430
New Rough Listed : Rio-Grande Citrine, Brazil, #165
New Rough Listed : Madeira Citrine, Brazil, #166
New Rough Listed : Aquamarine, 42 ct, Brazil, #167
New Rough Listed : Aquamarine, 22, 22 ct, Brazil, #168
New Rough Listed : Aquamarine, 7, 9ct, Africa, #170
New Rough Listed : Zircon, Africa, #171
New Rough Listed : Peridot, 10 ct, Pakistan, #172
New Rough Listed : Peridot, 8,9 ct, Pakistan, #173
New Rough Listed : Bubblegum Pink Tourmaline, 17 ct, Afghanistan, #174
New Rough Listed : Bubblegum Pink Tourmaline, ct, Afghanistan, #175
New Rough Listed : Bubblegum Pink Tourmaline, ct, Afghanistan, #176
New Rough Listed : Turquoise, USA, #177
New Rough Listed : Turquoise, USA, #178
New Rough Listed : Lapis Lazuli, Afghanistan, #180
New Rough Listed : Lapis Lazuli, Afghanistan, #181
3/12/2011
Just in, some stunning new gem rough... pics to follow soon.
Aquamarine : one piece might cut a really nice Antique Round 1910 in the 11-12mm range, another might cut an asscher 9-11mm, and others.
Rio-Grande and Madeira citrine
Honey Zircon : cut 11-12mm, stunning stone!
Peridot : two will cut matched pair rounds 6-7mm, another might cut a round 8-9mm
Turquoise
Lapis Lazuli : the finest grade material, devine heavenly blue colour!
and...
Afghani Bubblegum Pink Tourmaline!!! Three pieces of the nicest bubblegum pink tourmaline you're ever likely to see. One might cut an oval 9-10 x 11-12mm, another a round 7-9mm, and the third maybe a rectangle/asscher 7-8 x 10-12mm. Special stones these ones.
22/11/2011
Hi Folks,
Well we're getting towards the end of the year and things are busy with plenty of stones to cut. I've been cutting plenty of orders so I haven't had much of a chance to cut many stones for the website. I have a few listed below. Take note of the beautiful black spinel, this material is actually very scarce in decent sizes and it cuts an incredibly glossy and lustrous gemstone. It is all natural and untreated and the material I have comes from Central Queensland and Tasmania. If you are looking for a pure black gemstone, black spinel is for you.
I had some friends visit me recently out here on the topaz gemfields at O'Briens Creek. We did a bit of digging and dug ourselves a mighty hole. Found a few topaz but boy, its hard work. At this time of year you head out at the crack of dawn, dig for two or three hours and then head back for breakfast. There are some pics here.
Don't forget to check out my new page where I have all my gemstones grouped by design.
NEW GEMSTONE ADDITIONS #28 notification email sent to subscribers
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Champagne Topaz, 19 ct, Trouble With Tribbles, O'Briens Creek, #404
New Gemstone Listed : Black Spinel, 7.5 ct, Victoria Regent, Rubyvale, Queensland, #413
New Gemstone Listed : Black Spinel, 3.3 ct, Victoria Regent, Rubyvale, Queensland, #418
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 22.2 ct, Tangier, O'Briens Creek, #419
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 30.7 ct, Barion Old Mine, Stanthorpe, #423
New Set Gemstone : Topaz, Spider, Gold Pendant, O'Briens Creek, #351
29/10/2011
I finally got around to creating a new page to group all my gemstones by design. I thought this might help browsing and looking at gemstones cut in a certain design. I've added it as a menu option on the left.
New Page added : Index Of Gemstones Grouped By Design
28/9/2011
NEW GEMSTONE ADDITIONS #27 notification email sent to subscribers
I'm now relocated in my "summer pasture". Its a very choice spot with a beautiful bush setting. There is a flowing freshwater creek for my backyard and glorious peace and quiet, birdsong and wind in the trees and all the topaz in the ground for me to dig. There's a pic below of my backyard... its very dry at the moment but the wet season is not too far away and that little creek will turn into a river and everything will be very green and verdant.
Please note that my mobile phone does not get coverage out here so please use this alternate phone number if you need to contact me : 0740625241
New Gemstone Listed : Natural Blue Topaz, 19.3 ct, Asscher Cut, O'Briens Creek, #402
