robertm
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Post by robertm on Oct 22, 2016 11:06:39 GMT -5
Hi mreclectic, welcome from Durban, South Africa!!
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Sept 16, 2016 2:16:13 GMT -5
Hi All, Here is an article posted in our local newsletter, sorry if it is too long!!
POTENTIALLY TOXIC OR HARMFUL STONES FOR GEM ELIXIRS, GEM WATERS, MASSAGE OILS, HANDLING, ETC. I've been asked many times about whether a certain stone is safe for making conventional gem elixirs, gem waters, massage oils, or other internal or absorbent uses. While any stone can be potentially harmful for fumes, or dust, here is some information on stones that are known to be toxic in certain situations. While some of these minerals are micronutrients, such as copper which we need to survive, they can also be extremely toxic in larger amounts than required by the body. Please be aware that this is an partial list, as I don't know all the possible toxicity information. Some I learned in college, from crystal experts, or from books. Before using any stone or crystal for elixirs or waters, you should personally make sure that it's safe by consulting a mineralogist, healthcare specialist, or other professional. Types of stones that are typically toxic to ingest are minerals/ metals containing copper, lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminium, barium, mercury, zinc, or other poisonous / toxic substances. These substances are often what give a stone its characteristic coloring or shape. Great to look at, great to hold, but not great to put in the body. Where I have information on it, I've noted the toxic material that is or may be in the stone.
Actinolite - asbestos Adamite - zinc, copper Amazonite - copper Amber - toxic dust, fumes, possible trapped bacteria or virii, possible ingestive toxicity Angelite - lead, sulphur Anthophyllite - asbestos Aragonite - sometimes contains lead Atacamite - copper Atlantisite - contains Serpentine (see below) Auricalcite - zinc and copper Azurite - copper Boji-stones/Kansas Pop Rocks - may contain sulphur Bronchantite - copper Celestite aka Celestine - aluminium Cerrusite - sulphur, molybdenum Chalcantite (aka "blue shit") - copper Chalcopyrite (Peacock Stone, Peacock Ore) - copper and sulphur Charoite - barium, strontium Chrysacolla (Chrysocolla) - copper Chrysotile - asbestos Cinnabar - mercury, VERY TOXIC Cobaltocalcite (Pink Cobalt Calcite) - cobalt Conicalcite - copper Copper - copper Coral - organic, may contain bacteria as well as pollutants from toxic materials in the water it forms in Chrysoprase - nickel Crocidolite - asbestos Cuprite - copper Diopside - copper Dioptase - copper Eliat Stone - copper Emerald - aluminium Feldspar - aluminium Fluorite - source of dangerous gas hydrofluoride Garnet - aluminium Gem Silica - copper Galena/ Galenite - lead Garnierite (Genthite, Falcondoite) - nickel Hematite - iron Hiddenite - aluminium Howlite - boron, boron oxide, borate Iolite - aluminium Jade (Jadeite) - aluminium, iron Jade (Nephrite) - aluminium, iron, titanium Kambaba Jasper - cyanobacteria and possible cyanotoxins Kansas Pop Rocks - may contain sulphur Kunzite - aluminium Kyanite - aluminium Labradorite - aluminium Lapis Lazuli - may contain copper, sulphur Leopard (Skin) Jasper - iron Marcasite (Markasite) - sulphur Magnetite (Lodestone) - iron in large quantities Malachite - copper Merlinite - barite, iron Meteorite - may contain many toxic substances Mohawkite - copper, arsenic Moldavite - aluminium Molybdenum - molybdenum Moonstone - may contain aluminium or other toxic substances Mother of Pearl - organic, may contain bacteria as well as pollutants from toxic materials in the water it forms in Ocean Jasper - iron Opal - toxic dust for inhalation at least Paraiba Blue Quartz - aluminium in the tourmaline component Pearl - organic, may contain bacteria as well as pollutants from toxic materials in the water it forms in Psiomelane - barium Pyrite (Fool's Gold, Inca Gold) - sulphur Quartz (all types) - toxic dust for inhalation Realgar - sulfur, arsenic Rhodocrosite (Rhodochrosite) - lead Rose Quartz - iron / titanium Ruby - aluminium Sapphire - aluminium Sepentine (fibrous type) - asbestos Sodalite - aluminium Spinel - may contain aluminium, zinc Stibnite - lead, antimony Smithsonite (Galmei, Zinc spar)- zinc, may contain copper Spinel - aluminium Spodumene (incl Kunzite, Hiddenite) - aluminium Strawberry Quartz (natural) - hematite/iron inclusions Stromatolite - cyanobacteria and possible cyanotoxins Sulphur - sulphur Sunstone - Aluminium Tiger's Eye - asbestos Topaz - aluminium Tourmaline - aluminium Tremolite - asbestos Turquoise - copper Unakite - aluminium/iron Uranium - radioactive mineral Vanadanite - lead Variscite - aluminium Wulfenite - lead, molybdenum I recommend avoiding and not making conventional gem elixirs, gem waters, massage oils, or other consumables with these stones. The guidelines below can help you and those you know stay safe. 1. Do not make conventional, direct gemstone elixirs, gem waters, massage oils of any stone containing metal (lead, copper, etc.) Use an indirect method instead. 2. FYI: Polished stones are less likely to allow elixirs, etc. to leach any potentially hazardous materials. Rough stones are most likely. 3. In general, almost all blue and green stones, especially brightly colored ones, contain copper and/or arsenic and are potentially unsafe to use for conventional gem elixirs, etc. 4. Shiny, metallic stones should be avoided. 5. Don't handle stones containing arsenic, such as realgar, or mercury, such as cinnabar without protective gloves. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling them. These stones are extremely toxic. 6. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling potentially toxic stones. 7. Keep all potentially harmful stones (including small, bite-sized stones that aren't necessarily toxic but can cause choking hazards!) out of reach of children for safety. You may find contradictory information elsewhere as to the potential hazards of crystals. I recommend being cautious, though, and using indirect methods for making elixirs and other consumables unless you're absolutely certain of what you're doing. To be on the safe side, consider these stones, and any stones you don't know for sure about, to be toxic to eat, drink, or otherwise consume.
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Sept 13, 2016 6:03:58 GMT -5
Hi All, I'm from Durban South Africa, I've used hydraulic oil in my 14" home built saw for some years now. I find it great. My saw is covered and I wait a short while after cutting to let the mist settle. As the machine is under the car port, smell is not an issue, although adding a bottle of baby oil sorts that problem. It cuts really nice and fine with a Chinese crimped blade. The sludge settles quite fast. Best of all, I use used oil from a local workshop that is only too happy to give it away!
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Jul 5, 2016 13:25:27 GMT -5
Very, very nice!
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Dec 24, 2015 0:04:36 GMT -5
Thankyou! And Merry Christmas and a happy, exciting 2016 to All from sunny South Africa
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Dec 25, 2014 1:05:53 GMT -5
Hi All,
Merry Christmas and a very happy , rock filled 2015 from South Africa!
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Apr 4, 2014 14:13:43 GMT -5
I do have a cover hinged at the back........not visible in the pic! It runs at about 1400 rpm and, like the tile saws, the blade is a heavy ind type that I use to shape my preforms.
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Mar 21, 2014 6:52:45 GMT -5
Hi, I buildt this saw to make preforming easier It works a treat! Regards RobertM
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Dec 24, 2013 14:05:15 GMT -5
Hi All,
Greetings from South Africa
RobertM
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Nov 9, 2013 2:13:46 GMT -5
Hi All,
I have had this problem too! After cleaning the usual way with tooth brush and soap, I use a large syringe with a 22g needle ( cut/grind the sharp end to avoid sticking oneself)loaded with warm soapy water and squirt the cavity. It works well and costs less.
Regards RobertM
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Slab ?
Jul 4, 2013 14:18:32 GMT -5
Post by robertm on Jul 4, 2013 14:18:32 GMT -5
I use used hydraulic oil in my saw, then drop the slab into a bucket of wood saw dust. Then after rubbing it in the saw dust I wash in dish wash liquid. If the stone is porous, I will then boil it in water with a little dish wash liquid, this usually cleans it up nicely
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Jun 5, 2013 15:32:40 GMT -5
Most times I mark the girdle.
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on May 25, 2013 14:43:42 GMT -5
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on May 24, 2013 14:34:20 GMT -5
Hi rockjunquie, That third cab looks like Namibian Picture Jasper Here is a sample Regards Robert
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on May 24, 2013 13:54:10 GMT -5
Hi All,
I use hot glue almost exclusively. My dops are wooden dowels, I heat the stone and apply the glue sparingly. I find that when redopping to polish the back of the cab that the adhesion to the polished surface can be troublesome.
Regards
Rob
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on May 9, 2013 15:44:25 GMT -5
Hi All, Here are a few of the my cabs from the last month or two! Thanks for looking Regards Robert
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on May 6, 2013 15:42:51 GMT -5
Hi From South Africa
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on May 6, 2013 15:39:21 GMT -5
Hello All,
It's taken me a while to introduce myself, I am from South Africa, been collecting rocks..........forever!
About 4 years ago I joined the local club, did a silversmith course and started cutting and polishing stones.
Is there a size limit for photos? I would like to size the pictures before I post them. Any recommendations for doing this?
Regards
Robert
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