Purple gold

Here is something slightly different I did this past weekend.
Attachment 6833
I had some purple gold made by a company in South Africa called Mintek many years ago,
Purple gold is a mixture of fine gold and approximately 22% to 25% aluminium, melted in an inert atmosphere.
This picture shows the uncut piece on my dop, prior to cutting.
Attachment 6834
This picture shows the piece prior to polishing.
If you look carefully at the table you can see the aluminium particles mixed in.
Attachment 6835
Once it is faceted and polished it takes on a purple-chrome look, very difficult to photograph.
The material is called an inter-metallic compound, in that it is utterly brittle, cannot be deformed in the usual manner and is not generally suitable for rings.
For those cutters on the list (are there any?) cutting is done with a 1200 grit lap and water, then a copper lap with 7000 grit and oil, then polished with a Batt lap and 50,000 grit diamond in oil.
Tricky to cut, though. Only after my third attempt was I happy with the result
8.5 mm in diameter and 5.4 carats in weight.

That's gorgeous! can it be cast to make a ring? Think of that set with an amethyst or (of course since this is me saying it) a purple pearl....drool!

Very cool indeed! :)

Would be amazing if it could be cast.

Sooooo nice! Shame it's so brittle!

Very nice :)