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Post by bobby1 on Sept 16, 2011 23:48:22 GMT -5
By working the cabbing activities wet I wouldn't worry at all about hazardous dust migrating into your living spaces. You probably ingest far more silica particles from ambient dust outside that you would indoors from the lapidary activities. Most dust is composed of silica. If you are ever in a dust storm in the desert you ingest massive amounts of silica dust. Sand is primarily silica. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 16, 2011 23:43:03 GMT -5
Really super cab! I love Obsidian, of course! Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 16, 2011 23:41:14 GMT -5
Some real special lapidary work! They all are beautiful, though I like the first two the best. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 16, 2011 17:59:41 GMT -5
Owyhee Jasper. 2-3/4" wide. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 15, 2011 22:59:01 GMT -5
Nate, Yes, I do spend a lot of time selecting my slabs. When I'm looking at specific slabs I spread them about on the trays and wait for them to dry. This allows me to see the fractures and pits within the slab. If there are any of these defects that will interfere with the cab that I'm visualizing on the slab, it goes back into the tray for the next person to check it out. Sometimes I'm at a dealer's booth for as much as an hour selecting my rough. I don't gravitate to the popular material of the moment (Think Bumblebee Jasper) unless it is practically flawless and reasonably priced. At the Pow Wow I didn't see any Bumblebee that was near flawless in a large enough size to cut one of my classic large cabs. Everything had pits in the most colorful bands. I look for classic beauty in anything that warrants the admiration......if it is reasonably priced and nearly flawless. I will never cut a cab if there are any pits or fractures that will be in the face of the cab. Sometimes I will cut a cab if there is a small fracture in the edge that can be healed with Opticon. Because it is nearly impossible to see all the fractures and defects in photos of slabs I never buy online. Too much hassle if it turns out to be not acceptable and needs to be returned. I do empathize with those who dont have the opportunity or access to good rock shows so they can select their cutting material in person. For them buying online is a must. Fortunately there are a large number of great dealers on this forum and elsewhere that make it easier to get their cutting material from. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 14, 2011 23:11:55 GMT -5
A real super rock! The green moss in Montana is definitely rare! A real beauty. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 14, 2011 23:07:32 GMT -5
Tonight's cab is another one that exhibits two simultaneous patterns - Plumes and Moss, though I tend to lean toward it being more plumey than mossy. What do you all think? It is 2-1/2" across (a bit small for me). Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 14, 2011 20:53:09 GMT -5
Those are some super slabs of my favorite material! The purple ones are ideal for cutting Catseye Obsidian cabs!!! Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 14, 2011 20:49:53 GMT -5
Jeffrey Hill had some more of his great slabs at our local Valley Spings Pow Wow and, of course, and as usual, I couldn't resist getting more of those beauties. He is my go to source for large flawless slabs. I don't buy any slabs from anyone online, only in person. Fortunately he frequents many of the same shows that I do. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 13, 2011 23:35:17 GMT -5
When I was there in the Navy in the early 60's I didn't see any of those wheel chairs especially those being pushed around by babes in bikinis! Looks like a real fun trip! Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 13, 2011 23:31:32 GMT -5
Great photos and great location. I remember going there as a kid and it was a lot of fun! Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 12, 2011 23:22:24 GMT -5
Beautiful use of shape to emphasize the pattern within the stone. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 11, 2011 23:45:44 GMT -5
That last photo is definitely "posed" for the viewer. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 11, 2011 23:34:58 GMT -5
Some real colorful fun in your future! Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 11, 2011 23:33:22 GMT -5
Really super colors in all of them especially the one with mossy innards! Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 11, 2011 23:31:36 GMT -5
Some really colorful Agates! Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 11, 2011 0:42:38 GMT -5
.........er some such thing. It is my cabbing activity for today. It is rather large at 3-1/2" tall. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 10, 2011 19:44:30 GMT -5
Some real super cabbing material! I believe the Pastellite is also known as Chapenite. Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 8, 2011 1:05:10 GMT -5
Thank you all for the best wishes. I guess I'll have to take my wife out to dinner! (Its her birthday, too) Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 8, 2011 1:01:03 GMT -5
I always love dendrites especially this one! Bob
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