gemfeller
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Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,807
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Post by gemfeller on May 27, 2014 18:49:15 GMT -5
When I cut precious opal I save every little scrap that has play of color potential. Every now and then I epoxy them to black basanite to make doublet blanks. I recently completed a bunch and thought others might like to see them in their semi-finished state. These stones were photographed in water to simulate polish. They're ready for final shaping and finishing -- as soon as I can get to my Genie which is barricaded by piles of stuff that had to be moved during a remodeling project. I'll post images after they're finished if anyone's interested. All Ausralian Opal:
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aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on May 27, 2014 19:36:56 GMT -5
<---Interested!
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Post by mohs on May 27, 2014 20:21:20 GMT -5
^ | | | ditto
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Post by mohs on May 27, 2014 20:23:12 GMT -5
those are some fine blooking crafting Rick
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on May 27, 2014 21:41:53 GMT -5
Some of those opals in the water look like liquid fire. Can't wait till they are completed Stu
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Post by gingerkid on May 28, 2014 10:10:57 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing these beauties polished, Rick! Where do you find basanite for doublets/triplets? Thank you for your reply in your malachite cab thread. I wondered if you wore a mask while working copper materials and opals?
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Post by rockjunquie on May 28, 2014 11:00:15 GMT -5
I totally want to see them finished. What is the approx size of these?
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on May 28, 2014 12:29:43 GMT -5
Totally nice!
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gemfeller
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Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,807
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Post by gemfeller on May 28, 2014 13:42:00 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Jan, I'm from Idaho and volcanic basanite is easy to locate there. I used to collect my own. It has also been available from Idaho Opal Mines, Email: opalmine@earthlink.net The business is for sale but the website seems operational so send them an inquiry. As for a mask, nope. Don't like 'em: the cheap ones fog up my glasses and there's no way I'm going to invest in an "industrial" model unless I take up cutting lots of abalone shell and dangerous stuff like that.
Tela, the sizes vary from roughly 29 x 18 to 12 x 8. Most are approx. 15 x 12 size, some larger, some smaller. Some will be reduced in size after I eliminate bad spots and cut for maximum POC.
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Post by gingerkid on May 28, 2014 14:05:49 GMT -5
Thanks, Rick! Haven't tried making any doublets, capped or composite stones, but greatly appreciate the link!! I don't like to wear the masks either. Do you have a fan system set up or maybe use enough water while cabbing for the Great Flood? Just makes me nervous that you don't wear a mask.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,807
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Post by gemfeller on May 28, 2014 14:58:19 GMT -5
Re: mask. I use plenty of water and that's all. As I posted in the malachite thread I've been cutting stones for many years and I've never worn a mask, even when I used to sand opals dry. I'm old enough to know I won't die young. Regarding precautions, to each his own.
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Post by radio on May 28, 2014 18:16:47 GMT -5
Re: mask. I use plenty of water and that's all. As I posted in the malachite thread I've been cutting stones for many years and I've never worn a mask, even when I used to sand opals dry. I'm old enough to know I won't die young. Regarding precautions, to each his own. Us OF's are a stubborn bunch, aren't we;-) I never wear a mask either and rely on PLENTY of water to cut down on the airborne particles. I don't cut Abalone and such, so feel pretty safe. I forgot who it was that said "Those health nuts are gonna feel pretty stupid lying in the hospital dying of nothing" or something along those lines
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Post by mohs on May 28, 2014 18:32:50 GMT -5
you mean massive abalone grinding is dangerous without mask! NOW... you tell me mostly
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,807
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Post by gemfeller on May 28, 2014 19:34:08 GMT -5
Us OF's are a stubborn bunch, aren't we;-) I never wear a mask either and rely on PLENTY of water to cut down on the airborne particles. I don't cut Abalone and such, so feel pretty safe. I never thought much about it until the 70s and 80s when Americans started being Afraid Of Everything. My Doc tried to put me on a no-egg, no-red meat diet to prevent coronary disease back then. It didn't make sense to me and I've enjoyed both all the years since while my friends were eating egg-white omelets and avoiding juicy steaks. Now we find the low-fat craze was wrong. I thought of that old Gershwin lyric in "It Ain't Necessarily So" that goes: Methuslah lived 900 years, but who calls that livin' when no gal'll give in, to no man who's 900 years." I'd rather enjoy the time I have.
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Post by 150FromFundy on May 28, 2014 19:56:37 GMT -5
If that's your scrap opal, maybe you should also post some photos of your good opal. Whoa!
PS - I like your philosophy on enjoying life. My father enjoyed bacon and eggs every morning (along with his high blood pressure meds) and continued to enjoy them to the age of 91. He also enjoyed Gershwin and in particular, sang that song up to the end. Maybe the key to health and longevity is simply not worrying about schist, and GERSHWIN. Huh!
Darryl.
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Post by radio on May 28, 2014 20:13:16 GMT -5
Us OF's are a stubborn bunch, aren't we;-) I never wear a mask either and rely on PLENTY of water to cut down on the airborne particles. I don't cut Abalone and such, so feel pretty safe. I never thought much about it until the 70s and 80s when Americans started being Afraid Of Everything. Funny you should mention that. At the shop, I have some lead ore on display and a couple of folks have dropped it like a hot potato after finding out what it is. They say something along the lines of "that stuff will kill you!!!!" I tell 'em, yeah, in bullet form maybe, but not from handling it! Out of caution, I did spray it really well with clear coat though. I have to wonder how many lead paint chips us oldsters ingested as kiddos while cutting our teeth on a window sill or crib rail painted with the deadly, nasty stuff?
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miander
spending too much on rocks
Searching for the shop of my dreams...
Member since November 2013
Posts: 407
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Post by miander on May 28, 2014 21:36:37 GMT -5
Those are fantastic doublets, get to the genie any way you can! I was wondering what method you used to get that gorgeous opal to stick?
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,807
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Post by gemfeller on May 28, 2014 22:18:54 GMT -5
Those are fantastic doublets, get to the genie any way you can! I was wondering what method you used to get that gorgeous opal to stick? Thanks Miander. I've always used Epoxy 330 and I've had no problem with it as long as surfaces to be cemented are squeaky clean. There are more modern adhesives that others swear by, especially some that are cured by ultraviolet light. I have no experience with those but maybe others here have.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,807
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Post by gemfeller on May 28, 2014 22:28:49 GMT -5
I have some lead ore on display and a couple of folks have dropped it like a hot potato after finding out what it is. They say something along the lines of "that stuff will kill you!!!!" I tell 'em, yeah, in bullet form maybe, but not from handling it! Out of caution, I did spray it really well with clear coat though. That reminds me of the summer I worked in a lead mine when I was in college. There's been absolutely no health problem from the lead but I was scared half to death most of the time by an old miner's handling of dynamite. After he'd set the cap and fuse in a nitro charge he'd put it in the drill hole and ram it so hard with a broomstick I was terrified he'd get the cap crosswise against the surrounding rock and the impact would set if off. Guess he knew what he was doing 'cause I'm still here.
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Post by mohs on May 29, 2014 11:55:46 GMT -5
if the minerals don't get ya the BANG will someday are just like that mostly
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