rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 659
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Post by rocknrob on Oct 8, 2024 17:01:30 GMT -5
I didn't know about the rarity of this material when it made it into my slab collection as part of an estate sale. I ended up making it while I was still getting the craft of cabbing down to a workable level and before I developed the level of patience necessary to make it nice. Ultimately what I have here is a large freeform cabochon that needs to be stepped back to 220 on the flat lap and "babied" quite a bit as I'm seeing some scratches and the dome isn't very well made. So, because of this I have a question for you folks of more experience than I do. Would it benefit me to rework this cabochon as is or would it benefit me to make a set using this as a slab? Maybe a teardrop and some smaller objects as earrings? It's about 17.7 grams and 45mm on the longest side.  |
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Post by chris1956 on Oct 8, 2024 17:16:24 GMT -5
I think rockjunquie is the one I remember mentioning this material the most. I am adding by edit that I thought it looked pretty good. It is hard working with all that metal. |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Oct 8, 2024 17:46:10 GMT -5
I'd rework it but not start at 220. Without knowing how deep the scratches are, I think that 600 would be better starting point.
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 8, 2024 17:47:11 GMT -5
I would rework it into a spectacular cab. Most of my cabs are between 40 and 45mm (and larger) on the longest side. I wouldn't cut that up, the pattern wouldn't be as obvious.
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 659
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Post by rocknrob on Oct 8, 2024 18:17:41 GMT -5
I would rework it into a spectacular cab. Most of my cabs are between 40 and 45mm (and larger) on the longest side. I wouldn't cut that up, the pattern wouldn't be as obvious. My 600 disc is a soft one so that would be perfect for a baby steps repolish on this. It's more of a flat top cab than a domed one so that's why I was thinking I'd go back to 220 to give it more of a curve at the top, then smooth out all the facets that are in there. I think this one was done when I didn't have my soft discs so it should smooth much more nicely. I didn't think those lines in there would count for the monthly contest this month. It is a really fun material to work on. - Rob |
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Post by rmf on Oct 8, 2024 21:11:33 GMT -5
I only cut smaller stones when the material won't let me cut a big one. I would keep it big and redo. A couple of weeks ago we were in Missouri for a wedding. we went into an antique store and there was a large belt buckle with a pic jasper. It was about 4.5" x 3.25" more or less and it was rounded up and polished with a big ugly flat spot on the top bigger than a 52x38 cab. I showed the wife and she made me git it so I could fix it. As of today it has a nice smooth arc from side to side and a nice polish (for a picture stone). It is in the glue solvent now.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,672 
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Post by RWA3006 on Oct 9, 2024 20:53:04 GMT -5
I'd rework it but not start at 220. Without knowing how deep the scratches are, I think that 600 would be better starting point. This, and I'd keep it as large as possible. |
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