metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 10, 2017 6:05:34 GMT -5
I wonder if anyone has knowledge of working OBO? That sounds wrong 😜
What does it work best as ? Cabs ? How might it facet?
If someone can help on how to handle it and what is the going rate then all the better. Thanks
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 10, 2017 10:17:30 GMT -5
I've cabbed it. Works the same as any other common opal and polishes well with cerium. I don't think I would facet any, although you could. It is somewhat translucent and will lose some color with faceting. You want to put a high dome on Owyhee Blue to retain the darkest blue you can.
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 11, 2017 1:52:01 GMT -5
Thank you 😊 I've read elsewhere about crazing / cracking issues. Did you find this? What's the chance of it happening. I would not wish for this to occur in a matèrial I rarely come across and could not readily replace.
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 11, 2017 10:06:55 GMT -5
I've heard that, too, but have not encountered it. The rough I purchased (many years ago now) was in small chunks so any stress in the stone was probably released already. They were perfect for high dome cabs. I still have some and was just looking at it the other day. There is still no crazing or cracking, so I'm assuming it's ok. It's been sitting around for probably 12-14 years now.
I also bought a large part of a nodule many years ago and was going to break it up for cutting, but it was so beautiful I left it. It will never be cut. It's been sitting on a display self and shows no signs of crazing.
I guess it probably depends on the exact location it was dug and from what depth. If you have a small piece to experiment with, give it a go and see what happens. That's really the only way to know for sure.
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 19, 2017 12:38:39 GMT -5
Coming second hand in U.K. Probably it has also been left on the shelf for a while and therefore be stable. I may give it a shot. Thanks for your reply.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,801
|
Post by gemfeller on Dec 19, 2017 16:22:46 GMT -5
I guess it probably depends on the exact location it was dug and from what depth. If you have a small piece to experiment with, give it a go and see what happens. That's really the only way to know for sure. I've had a bit of experience with it and agree location is important. I've dug Owyhee-area thundereggs filled with blue opal that was incredibly beautiful until it dried out and crazed into white shards. Some of the newer locations seem to produce fairly stable material but some I bought some years back has changed color from very nice solid blue to lighter shades with odd patterns (image).
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Dec 19, 2017 16:46:52 GMT -5
Now that I've seen photos of it, I realize I might have some. I got it (indirectly) from someone in our club that had passed away. At a club tailgate, I got a small jar of different types of opals, for the pittance of $10!
ETA - just realized the $10 jar was a different jar, the blue stuff did not come from there. Thinking back on it, I think I got some before she passed.
Not the $10 jar -
Does it have much play of color? Or just kind of a light blue?
What do I know? I know I liked it, that's all I can say!
Jean
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 19, 2017 19:54:01 GMT -5
rockpickerforever - Nice jar of opals! Your jar has Australian and Mexican opal (the orange/red opal) in it. I can pick out some Lightning Ridge, Mintabie and probably Cooby Pedy in there. The last picture is probably Lightning Ridge.
|
|