Question about minimum cuttable thickness

[ann3244]

Hi, I am very inexperienced but have a few bits and pieces (nothing very good!) I was hoping to try sending to Lamberts. I have a few sapphires that are maybe 4 mm across but very thin. Can anyone tell me the minimum thickness that can be cut into anything? With thanks

[Faceting Frank]

Hi, I've cut a few sapphires that I've found at the Willows down to as small as 2.6mm dia. the cut being a petal cut. I would guess your 4mm stones would probably cut a 3.5mm dia. stone, so the thickness needs to be about 2.5mm. However I would recommend getting some practice cutting small stones in quartz or other cheap material, as working with rough that small is not easy.

[ann3244]

Thank you very much! That is helpful. So my pretty little flat ones will be going back in the jar! BTW we were just up at Minerama and a fellow pulled out a 20 carat beauty that is a definite cutter!