kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 217
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Post by kentuckyrocker on Dec 3, 2009 10:42:24 GMT -5
Hubby is ready to get real about my rocks lol! I have several slabs already. There are 2 though that look to be a tricky substance to cut. Eudialyte Lepidolite.
any tips? they are already slabbed, I bought them that way. cutting? polishing? any experience you can share?
Thanks a bunch in advance.
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 3, 2009 10:49:22 GMT -5
Lepidolite is pretty soft and needs to be cut with water. Oil in saws can stain it.
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kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 217
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Post by kentuckyrocker on Dec 3, 2009 15:14:26 GMT -5
It seems soft- that and the eudialyte both.
I was thinking on the polishing, I would be best to use Zam- same polishing technique as on turquoise. am I right in this?
Thanks so much - I can't wait to get busy and start posting my firsts....
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Post by rockmanken on Dec 3, 2009 15:30:54 GMT -5
Use plenty of water and light pressure when sanding. Use zam for polishing.
If you have it, jasper may be better to start with. Use any of the polish compounds with it. Cerium oxide seems to work best.
Ken
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Post by Tonyterner on Dec 3, 2009 15:41:36 GMT -5
Be gentle with the eudialyte, it can be a bit crumbly. If you notice any cracks fill them with thin CA (superglue). I just used wet diamond belts up to 14,000 of it and it came out with a good shine.
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kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 217
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Post by kentuckyrocker on Dec 3, 2009 15:44:37 GMT -5
Until I get my real wet saw , I am limited. I have some moukaite that appears to be pretty stable- maybe I will give one of the lesser slabs a try. There may be some picasso marble I can slab up with the itty bitty pretend wet saw I have access to lol! I have 3 slabs worth of the eudialyte and lepidolite. Nothing real expensive or real fancy. If I mess up , not a huge loss. I'm saving my graveyard and my Biggs for when I am a big girl.The Biggs has a willow tree design in it The graveyard plume, oh my, it is gorgeous. I would be sick if I messed either of those slabs up.
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kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 217
|
Post by kentuckyrocker on Dec 3, 2009 15:53:10 GMT -5
I can see the eudialyte being crumbly, it has that feel. I was thinking on the slabs I have of that to just do freeform more than attempting a pattern cut. Start small, see how it does. I didn't see any fractures, it just feels soft. Not super solid like agates and jaspers.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 3, 2009 17:42:57 GMT -5
Lepidolite grinds down really fast but is fairly easy to work. One thing that you'll notice is that you won't get a high gloss shine, you'll get a waxy shine but still really pretty stuff.
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kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 217
|
Post by kentuckyrocker on Dec 3, 2009 21:06:10 GMT -5
I went into my goody box of rocks and double checked. Both the lepidolite and the eudialyte are fracture free- no cracks. They just feel soft. I have big enough slabs of both blue and purple lepidolite that I can risk giving it a go and still have plenty.
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