Ziggy Stardust Nigerian Sapphire - 1.07ct

This is my Ziggy Stardust sapphire. When I saw the striking color zone I knew I had to preserve it. At first it read like pine trees on a cloudy, misty mountain; as the stone took shape it shifted into a lightning bolt over the gem’s eye. I cut it as a geometric portrait, which creates a cool reflected outline that emphasizes the bolt and the depth of the color.

I’m branching out—trying techniques I haven’t used before and taking more artistic approaches to my cutting.