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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 25, 2012 19:26:18 GMT -5
I've been using templates mostly, but today I decided to use up some of those little rocks and mini-slabbettes that were piling up. I cabbed these to get the most out of the piece. Also did my first jade, I think, had a tough time time polishing it and still not happy with the finish. Any tips??Jade (nephrite) This shape looked much better till one corner broke and I had to round them all out. Large Variscite from a small very tapered slabbette. I love variscite! This is a beautiful cab in person, one of the pieces Susan24224 sent. It's a porcelain jasper of some kind and reminds me of caramel topping on a sunday. From a small piece of bird's eye rhyolite
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 25, 2012 19:35:01 GMT -5
The best I ever got with jade was a waxy finish. Those all look great!! The variscite is way cool
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Post by susand24224 on Sept 25, 2012 21:08:18 GMT -5
Jade polishes better for me if there is heat generated. I also have better luck with leather than anything softer, and generally use diamond paste 50,000. If that doesn't work, e-mail me and I'll give you the complete (somewhat boring so I am sparing the board) rundown.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2012 21:08:39 GMT -5
All great shapes. 3000 diamond on the nephrite and stop there. I use the diamond impregnated velcro plastic pads and they put on a great shine. You will not get an agate shine but it is more than satisfactory. Jim
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,688
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 25, 2012 21:17:07 GMT -5
Awesome cabs,nothing better than free form.............
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Sept 25, 2012 21:41:19 GMT -5
Very nice work! My favorite shape goes to the Variscite, favorite material..Birds Eye! steve
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Sept 25, 2012 23:46:54 GMT -5
Those are all really nice free-forms!
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hubrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2011
Posts: 1,563
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Post by hubrocks on Sept 25, 2012 23:57:21 GMT -5
Me too miss Rockjunquie, never have gotten a good polish on jade, and the people who know how have a difficult time explaining it, they all say it's a learned thing you get a feel for, I get orange peel!....Hub..p.s. nice cabs
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Post by Tony W on Sept 26, 2012 11:32:34 GMT -5
Love the last one! Curt told me the trick to getting a polish on many stones that won't polish is to use belts on expando drums, and it's been working for me. Often I'll finish up with zam on a buff. Of course, Curt also told me to leave the cabs out overnight and let the alien space ships hover over them, and I'll wake up to them being polished. He didn't say how long I should stay asleep, and I think I might be waking up too early, so far anyway T
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Post by talkingstones on Sept 26, 2012 17:28:55 GMT -5
Great cabs! Have no idea about the jade but have heard that heat helps. Love that Variscite!!
Cathy
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 26, 2012 19:47:41 GMT -5
Thanks peeps Tony, get back to me when you have the sleep thing down and I'll give it a try. Thanks for the other tips, too. I have enough to practice a few things.
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Post by Tonyterner on Sept 26, 2012 19:48:07 GMT -5
Your shapes are really nice, especially 2 and 3. That porcelain jasper is stunning.
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2005
Posts: 1,775
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Post by Roger on Sept 27, 2012 9:34:47 GMT -5
My favs are freeforms yours have great shapes.
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jason12x12
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 798
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Post by jason12x12 on Sept 27, 2012 9:42:37 GMT -5
love that variscite best. but really all are spectacular
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 27, 2012 18:50:48 GMT -5
Thanks, I'm really liking letting the rock do some of the talking. It feels really right. I had worked on a few more, but they weren't polished in time. Have to work on them next time Gene is out.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 27, 2012 20:42:46 GMT -5
The color on that variscite really pops. Great job on all.
Chuck
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cccbock
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2011
Posts: 499
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Post by cccbock on Sept 28, 2012 5:34:00 GMT -5
I have actually dulled the finish on a jade piece once using cerium....went back to 3000 wheel and stopped there although I suspect an 8000 or 14000 wheel would have improved my results............
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