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Post by sparkles on Dec 28, 2008 12:56:59 GMT -5
Hey Folks! Having cut my first groove rocks, and wrapped a couple of stones, I thought I’d try my had at cutting stones to fit commercial mounts. Rather than shell out cash on nice quality items, | decided to try a few cheap Silver Plated mounts in standard sizes. They are inexpensive and nothing much to speak of, but I needed to test my cutting before I spend any real money on “pukka stuff”. First stone is a nice example of Indian Spotted Agate, it’s a lovely stone to work, and cuts smoothly and easily, the shine is good and there are a range of patterns to pick from, I had a few oversized tumbles that yielded a slabbette or two, and this stone is the first of the variety I have cut. Then I found this Ocean Jasper in my slab pile, as you may know it’s a personal favourite, and I simply had to cut some soon, so I plunged in with this example. I got the slab from a dear friend in one of the Forum Competitions, and it’s been awaiting my attention for a little while. The gem cut easily, and I was overjoyed with the spotty markings in the upper half, I love stones that change pattern and was really chuffed with the final framing. The gaudy mounting seemed the right choice for such a blowzy stone, it reminds me of some antique Scottish cloak pin or something. I hope you enjoyed this pair of stones, I shall have to buy some nice mountings soon and have a go at making some “real” stuff, the silver-plate is inexpensive but not particularly good quality, and I’d prefer to make the most of my stones with some appropriate mounts. Thanks for looking! ;D Cheers, Sparkles.
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brent
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2008
Posts: 1,316
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Post by brent on Dec 28, 2008 15:30:12 GMT -5
Nice pieces. I don't see alot of commercial settings anymore. I did alot of them when I first started.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 28, 2008 16:32:58 GMT -5
The cab in the first pic is sweet!! Both look great
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Post by fishenman on Dec 28, 2008 17:10:24 GMT -5
Very nice. I like the stone in the first setting, you just don't see much of that agate. Great example.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Dec 28, 2008 17:30:31 GMT -5
I think it's the 1st time I've heard or seen of Indian Spotted Agate. Nice stone and they look pretty good in those settings. Your doing some fine work. Steve
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Post by texaswoodie on Dec 28, 2008 20:06:48 GMT -5
Great work Harry! Both are exquisite, but the first one is a mind blower for me. Keep up the fantastic work!
Curt
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Post by Bejewelme on Dec 28, 2008 20:39:05 GMT -5
Harry; I am liking those blingy mounts!! Might have to look for them. The spotted agate is my fav, I like the mounting on that one, and I love OJ, both are very nice. Amber
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Post by Lady B on Dec 28, 2008 23:39:47 GMT -5
Very, very nice work, Harry!! I'm glad that the majority of the posters seem to prefer the agate...that way there won't be any cries of "Foul!!!" when I tell you that you need to send the OJ back to the very nice person who awarded it to you. I am quite certain that setting is part of the O'Shea/MacAleer family heritage. (And you know how much I also love OJ!!!) Lady B
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Post by sitnwrap on Dec 29, 2008 0:31:43 GMT -5
The cabs are awesome and for inexpensive mountings they are great also. I don't think the second one is gaudy at all and you are right it would look great as a cloak or woolen scarf pin.
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Post by Tony W on Dec 29, 2008 0:48:27 GMT -5
Nice work, Harry! They look to be a great fit! I like that setting for the second cab... you should get some plate and bezel wire and learn to make them yourself.... it is great fun if you can get past the pulling out your hair stage And I'm very impressed you got Kate/LadyB to come out and play Tony
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Post by Tweetiepy on Dec 29, 2008 8:18:52 GMT -5
Awesome shine on both - but that first setting is beautiful
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Post by sparkles on Dec 29, 2008 8:31:05 GMT -5
Hiya Folks, Thanks for all the kind comments, it’s lovely to get some feedback on my meanderings. Ah yes… Mc Dover Bob – I thought it had a Scottish ring to it!!! Oh well, it was such a pretty stone too. Better pack it up and send it back ;D Having played with a few “real” cabs, some groove wraps and cut a few circular domes too, it was fun to have a play with some settings and cut some cabs for a specific purpose. The fun of shaping stones to such a degree of precision was really great, It’s not as easy as one might expect, but the satisfaction when it sits exactly as intended is amazing. These stones were great fun to work with and I’m really pleased you all enjoyed them as much as I did! It was all just a bit of fun! ;D Cheers, Sparkles.
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Post by Titania on Dec 29, 2008 9:15:02 GMT -5
These came out GORGEOUS, Harry! I really love how high the domes on these cabs are. I think both are very well suited to their settings. I still haven't gotten around to trying commercial settings. I'm sure it's a challenge, but it's one you handled marvelously!
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Post by stoner on Dec 29, 2008 13:46:05 GMT -5
Excellent work Harry. Cutting calibrated cabs is a good way to find out just how good one is at cutting cabs. Like you say, it's not as easy as one thinks it is. The good news is that if you go too far for a particular size setting, there's always the next size down to shoot for!!!!! I've had a few 30x22 cabs turn out to be 25x18 instead. That first stone is really nice.
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Dec 30, 2008 14:03:04 GMT -5
Wow, Harry, you're amazing! OK, time to get a torch and start doing your own silver work, since you've mastered cabs, groove wraps, and calibrated cabs!
But seriously, these are beautiful. I look forward to seeing more!
Amy
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49er
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 753
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Post by 49er on Jan 1, 2009 0:30:04 GMT -5
Nice job on findings and cabs.
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