 company |
 the cut |
 history |
 products |
 ideas |
 home |
|
The "Maltese Cross Cut®" ...a new cut for gemstones  |
|
| The "Maltese Cross cut" - how was the cut developed?  This ingenious cut was designed and cut by the Danish born Mr. Paul-H Paulsen, a Master Gem Cutter. |
Mr Paulsen began his career over 35 years ago, learning his craft not in the contemporary methods of today but directly from skilled artisans who handed their knowledge down over several generations. Always fascinated by symbols and heraldry Paul Paulsen first came across the Maltese Cross when he found a photograph in the family archives of his great-grandfather, who in 1863, was "Ordinanze" to the Danish King Frederick VII. In this photograph, Paulsen was intrigued by the Maltese Cross proudly pinned on his great-grandfather's uniform. Paulsen began experimenting with rough gemstones. Using the angles of the facets, with overlapping and frosting, the principles of light refraction captured the Maltese Cross within the octagonal face of the stone. The "Maltese Cross cut" was thus born. Paulsen, now living in Canada, has not only developed this cut but also another called the "Star of David cut". Paulsen succeeded in having both these designs patented in North America - a feat that has only been achieved a few times. |
|
|
|
| Jewellery - the oldest art. Jewellery may be the oldest art. It has always meant something important to almost all the human race. Jewels take their name from the Italian "joy" - they are instinctive fun. They tend rightly to be enjoyed more than studied. A jewel, like a butterfly, looks better flashing about on the move than it does pinned in a showcase. It is essentially mobile in its impact, it requires changing light and silhouette, changing colour and setting, to be at its best. It is almost like music, a performing art: the jewel is the instrument, the person and the lighting are the players. People who react strongly and quickly to stones have certain characteristics. They rarely separate the precious from the semiprecious. They are vague about value, giving more importance to its beauty, wearability and design creativity. |
The Art behind the Cut Cut alone unlocks the secret stone, freeing fire, brilliance, and very often colour. Cut alone lets a crystal's beauty fly to the light. It is only through the skill of the Gem-cutter that this work of art can be performed.  mounted "Maltese Cross cut" Part of the thrill of stones is their beauty, part is their money value and part their historic value. The Maltese Cross, which is very dear to the Maltese people has all three. |
|
|
|
|
Ivan Mifsud M.A. (Oxon) 27 SouthStreet Valletta, VLT 11, Malta |
|
company |
the cut |
history |
products |
ideas |
home |