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Post by miket on May 22, 2024 8:31:06 GMT -5
Purple Cloud Agate, more of a practice cab from a "junky" part of the slab. The question- high dome or low, what do most people prefer? Thanks!  |
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Post by jasoninsd on May 22, 2024 8:35:09 GMT -5
When I first started, I did a lot of high domes. Not necessarily because I "preferred" them...more for the fact I kept cutting thick slabs on the saw! LOL
I do prefer lower domes now...not flat...but lower. For one, I get more cabs out of a chunk of material. For another, it makes the pendant I plan on making with it (always at "some point") weigh a little less. That way people don't feel like Flavor Flav wearing one of my pieces! LOL
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Post by miket on May 22, 2024 8:38:16 GMT -5
When I first started, I did a lot of high domes. Not necessarily because I "preferred" them...more for the fact I kept cutting thick slabs on the saw! LOL I do prefer lower domes now...not flat...but lower. For one, I get more cabs out of a chunk of material. For another, it makes the pendant I plan on making with it (always at "some point") weigh a little less. That way people don't feel like Flavor Flav wearing one of my pieces! LOL Yeah, I haven't been cutting many slabs so I'm kind of at the mercy of what I have to work with. .. I do think lower domes are easier to wrap- I think they are easier to contain. |
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Post by jasoninsd on May 22, 2024 8:41:04 GMT -5
When I first started, I did a lot of high domes. Not necessarily because I "preferred" them...more for the fact I kept cutting thick slabs on the saw! LOL I do prefer lower domes now...not flat...but lower. For one, I get more cabs out of a chunk of material. For another, it makes the pendant I plan on making with it (always at "some point") weigh a little less. That way people don't feel like Flavor Flav wearing one of my pieces! LOL Yeah, I haven't been cutting many slabs so I'm kind of at the mercy of what I have to work with. .. I do think lower domes are easier to wrap- I think they are easier to contain. I have...on occasion...been known to grind the crap out of a thick preform, just to get it whipped into a low-dome profile! LOL |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 22, 2024 8:49:25 GMT -5
It's funny because old timers generally prefer higher domes. And the newcomers, such as myself and Jason, seem to prefer lower domes. Another factor is if it is silver solder set, people seem to prefer higher domes. I don't think there is a wrong or right way.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 22, 2024 8:49:51 GMT -5
That way people don't feel like Flavor Flav wearing one of my pieces! LOL Too funny!!! |
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Post by jasoninsd on May 22, 2024 8:51:00 GMT -5
That way people don't feel like Flavor Flav wearing one of my pieces! LOL Too funny!!! I was hoping some of us were old enough to catch that reference! LOL |
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stonemitch
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2024
Posts: 15
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Post by stonemitch on May 23, 2024 19:56:19 GMT -5
Or. some of us are so old the term means nothing?
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Post by vegasjames on May 23, 2024 20:10:40 GMT -5
I like both, but whether I do high or low depends on the stone for one. Some look better with a higher dome and others better with a lower dome. Would also depend on how it is to be used. Set in bezel, wire wrapped, etc.
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RockingRuralMo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2022
Posts: 137
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Post by RockingRuralMo on May 23, 2024 20:18:24 GMT -5
I love a bubble-dome on the right stuff. On this Mozarkite the big round top makes it look like a piece of candy to me. But it's a small cab, so the weight would be less of an issue (unless someone wanted to wear it as an earring.) But on petrified palm root (which I have a giant crush on right now) I hate to dome too much because every micro-layer you take off changes the look of the inclusions a lot. So it kind of depends on the stone - sometimes they need different things to meet their own potential.  |
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Post by miket on May 23, 2024 21:02:59 GMT -5
I like both, but whether I do high or low depends on the stone for one. Some look better with a higher dome and others better with a lower dome. Would also depend on how it is to be used. Set in bezel, wire wrapped, etc. Thanks James. For now I just wire wrap but some day I'd like to branch out and try something new. It seems like the thickness of the slab that I'm working with determines my dome height. Maybe that makes me lazy. π |
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Post by miket on May 23, 2024 21:05:30 GMT -5
I love a bubble-dome on the right stuff. On this Mozarkite the big round top makes it look like a piece of candy to me. But it's a small cab, so the weight would be less of an issue (unless someone wanted to wear it as an earring.) But on petrified palm root (which I have a giant crush on right now) I hate to dome too much because every micro-layer you take off changes the look of the inclusions a lot. So it kind of depends on the stone - sometimes they need different things to meet their own potential. All good points, thanks! I know what you mean, I've been in love with palm root since the first time I laid eyes on it!  |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059 
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Post by gemfeller on May 24, 2024 17:09:18 GMT -5
It's funny because old timers generally prefer higher domes. And the newcomers, such as myself and Jason, seem to prefer lower domes. Another factor is if it is silver solder set, people seem to prefer higher domes. I don't think there is a wrong or right way. I'm an old-timer and I like both, in appropriate circumstances. I think you touch on one reason for your thought that we "old ones" prefer higher domes. In the Olden Times, before wire-wrapping became popular, pre-made settings were the only option for many cutters. They frequently were prong-set, which required higher angled edge profiles. Ditto many bezel settings. Frankly, thick slabs drive me nuts. I spend needless time and effort removing excess stock. But that reminds me that many cutters have difficulty mastering low domes, finding high domes much easier to shape and remove scratches from. |
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 24, 2024 21:47:51 GMT -5
I generally let the thickness of the slab dictate the dome unless I see pattern and color improvement as material is removed. My Etsy high dome listings will always mention it. My sales don't indicate any preference for low or high domes.
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Post by miket on May 24, 2024 22:13:57 GMT -5
I generally let the thickness of the slab dictate the dome unless I see pattern and color improvement as material is removed. My Etsy high dome listings will always mention it. My sales don't indicate any preference for low or high domes. Thanks Gary. I was wondering how dome size related to sales as well. I'll bet it's like anything else, some buyers like high, some low and if they like the stone they like the stone regardless. |
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