In the realm of gemstone craftsmanship, every stone presents a unique challenge. Concealed within each unremarkable rock lies the potential for a breathtaking gem to emerge, captivating onlookers with its brilliance and color when subjected to a precise sequence of cuts and angles, executed with optical design precision and artistry.
Tayyab Suratwala, a distinguished materials scientist and Program Director of Optics and Materials Science & Technology, views the transformation of a transparent rock into a stunning gem as an immensely fulfilling endeavor. Reflecting on his passion, Suratwala explains, “It is tremendously fulfilling to see and control the transformation of a transparent ordinary rock with random shape to a beautiful gemstone, maximizing its brilliance, dispersion and color. This hobby is an interesting combination of materials science, materials processing and optics. It requires a lot of patience. You just can’t do it on a schedule, but that’s what draws me in, the zen of putting everything else aside and just playing with the materials. It’s very therapeutic.”
Suratwala’s fascination with rocks, minerals, and intriguing materials dates back about 30 years when he initiated his rock collection during his travels. Over time, his living room evolved into a showcase, featuring a five-foot square glass-topped coffee table adorned with an assortment of rocks and minerals. It was amidst the early lockdown days of the pandemic that Suratwala, pondering the possibilities within his collection, decided to explore gem faceting on a small scale.
Bringing his expertise as a leader in research on grinding and polishing optics for high-profile laser systems, including the National Ignition Facility, Suratwala embarked on a home-based faceting experiment. Starting with off-the-shelf equipment from a hardware store, he initially worked on obsidian rocks, resulting in smoother yet unremarkable shapes like cubes.
As his interest deepened, Suratwala discovered the faceting community, a group of enthusiasts devoted to the craft and art of cutting semiprecious stones into gems with controlled 3-dimensional angles. His involvement with the Columbia Willamette Faceters Guild, where he spoke about optics, provided valuable connections with experienced faceters, including Justin Primm, Scott Sucher, Tim Thomas, and John Emmett.
Having joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in 1997, Suratwala has been at the forefront of laser glass research for the National Ignition Facility. Today, he leads a team focused on various optics and their technologies. In addition to his professional pursuits, Suratwala has amassed a collection of “rough” semiprecious stones, awaiting transformation into dazzling gemstones. With over 40 gems in his personal showcase, including a peridot ring crafted for his wife, Suratwala emphasizes the diverse properties of materials and the myriad faceting processes they demand.
For Suratwala, the journey into gemstone faceting began as a pandemic hobby but has evolved into a source of joy and satisfaction. “I find myself thinking about the next stone. It’s incredibly satisfying to transform rough into a dazzling gemstone,” he notes, adding a playful caution, “And it’s safe to say that I’ve acquired enough rough to keep myself busy for the next 15 years. For anyone interested in faceting, I’ll warn that it’s addictive and can be expensive.”
