Synthetic Quartz

[Faceting Frank]

Has anyone bought synthetic quartz? Such as amethyst or citrine. Tried looking for an Australian seller but can't find one.

[MakkyBrown]

I have all sorts but not amethyst, some I might not be able to verify as quartz as it is lying around the place. Other bits will be written on the bag saying quartz. This is stuff I've been sent but will probably never cut. How much do you want Frank ?
Edit: Most of what I have is not labeled and I'd have to do a SG test, though the weight of it feels like quartz or glass.These two bits are labeled quartz. I might have some more labeled bits, have to do some more digging in boxes.

[Faceting Frank]

Thanks for the reply, Andrew. I don’t normally bother with quartz, C Z is cheap, easy to cut and polish, comes in heaps of colours and looks great. But I need some citrine and amethyst  for a competition. Bought some rough for that, looked good at the time of purchase, but now I can see small flaws. OK for your display cabinet stones, but four points off for flaws in a competition is no good at all.
I could buy more natural rough and hope for the best, but I’ve lost all confidence in online sellers. “Flawless amethyst only $1.50 per carat” Bullshit. Flawless if you don’t have a 10x loupe. So far have not found an Australian seller of synthetic quartz. I know it’s been made for a long time, maybe C Z has put it out of business.

[MakkyBrown]

Not worries, I might have some yellow but probably not labeled.
MB

[Faceting Frank]

I will see how this thread progresses, other members may know of a reliable dealer in natural quartz here in OZ.

[bkbourne]

Try Glen Huntley - usually has both CZ and synthetic quartz, along with other gem rough.
0427 945 087

[Faceting Frank]

Thanks. Got Glens email address, so will give him some details on what I want.

[FlashGP]

Hi Frank,


Lucy at the local gemshows sells synthetic Quartz.  She was at Dayborough and should be at the amt Gravatt Gemshow and most likely Lismore on 20, 21 May.


I don’t know if Bob Kelly sells via mail order but he has Quartz, and I think Citrine and Amythest.  His number is in the Moreton Bay Facetors report in FacetTalk.


Bruno also had some good amethyst.  He’LL be at at Lismore.

[Faceting Frank]

Thanks Gordon,
Will look into those sources.
Glen never answered my email regarding purchasing natural citrine and amethyst. But Brian at BR Gemstones did and I have bought four pieces of amethyst totalling 102ct from him.

[Faceting Frank]

Happy with the amethyst from BR Gemstones. Roughly preformed them and will be able to get stones of about 10-12mm across.

[FlashGP]

Great to hear, thanks Frank

[Faceting Frank]

Not having a lot of luck with the amethyst rough I bought. The rough is ok and I have nearly finished cutting two stones from it. These are for the 2024 GEMBOREE competition and I started cutting them on the 12th May, entry number O 8B.1. On the 16th May, which I didn’t notice till yesterday. They made an amendment to O 8B.1 and made it out of C.Z. They are both still on the dop, so will leave them for now.
Anyone else cutting stones for that competition?

[Faceting Frank]

Got that wrong, the amethyst stones are still to be cut.

[FlashGP]

Hi Frank,


I’m cutting for the 2024 Gemboree comp, but have to finish proof cutting for the 2024 AFG comp schedule first.


I thought they specified Australian Amethyst for that comp.  But I don’t know how you can pick between Aussie Amethyst and overseas Amethyst.

[dughug]

Unfortunately the 60th GEMBOREE booklet that was issued at the Dayboro GEMBOREE contained several errors. There is a list of the amendments on the A.F.L.A.C.A. site


https://aflaca.org.au/gemboree/


The errors occurred when the template being used crashed just prior to printing and were not picked up until the 2024 GEMBOREE competition committee were entering the competition into the GEMS program.


The 2024 GEMBOREE committee apologies to all competitors for any inconvenience and confusion this may have caused.


With regards to the specified material the Committee chose to highlight the wonderful quality and choice of material that Australia offers.
The choice of materials also helps demonstrate the honesty and integrity of the competitors in this competition.


The competition booklet also has the Competition Managers contact details in it should anyone need further clarification.