rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Nov 10, 2024 21:09:19 GMT -5
After spending probably way too much time cleaning out the oil from my trim saw. I fastened a 6" sintered blade on it from Kingsley North and cut some material tonight. I forgot how darn smooth cutting with a small kerf blade is. First up are the rest of the Alimejo agates I had left, most were duds (I had about 6 left over) but these two were the star of the show. Can't wait to polish them up and sell em as specimens.  Second my father in law bought me some opalina from the "Rock Twins" and they proved to be a tricky cut, very fragile but such an intense blue.  Am I to understand that this is a type of opal? It certainly was a softer material than the agate I've cut earlier, I had to step back off the proverbial accelerator while cutting them. Looking forward to polishing them but if anyone could give me pointers on working with this material it would be super helpful. - Rob |
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Post by pebblesky on Nov 10, 2024 21:41:42 GMT -5
The Alimejo cuts look great!
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 10, 2024 22:25:27 GMT -5
Beautiful! The opalina is new to me. If you want to sell a small slab to try let me know. It's gorgeous.  |
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 10, 2024 22:31:13 GMT -5
I had to look that one up, blue peruvian opal/chrysocolla that is often counterfeited for the metaphysical crowd.
Probably going to be chippy if it's like the pink Peruvian I have, I think it came from a member at Quartzsite years back.
Maybe go slow and start with the 220 hard wheel.
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Nov 10, 2024 22:56:56 GMT -5
I had to look that one up, blue peruvian opal/chrysocolla that is often counterfeited for the metaphysical crowd. Probably going to be chippy if it's like the pink Peruvian I have, I think it came from a member at Quartzsite years back. Maybe go slow and start with the 220 hard wheel. There were 3 rough stones and they were tough to cut... very crumbly which is spot on for the chrysocolla (I've cut that earlier and it either needs a soft touch or stabilization). Yeah I think I'll try doing a freeform here just to get a feel for the stone at 180 or 240. Super looking forward to getting on the flat lap in the next day or two to give it a go. rockjunquie the chunks aren't all that big. I think the biggest slabette I could get from it was maybe 1" x 1 3/4" and thicker than 1/4" whenever I tried to get to that thickness it would just crumble. If you have the means to slab it it using a 6" or 4" trim saw (a 10" would just murder the poor thing) you can follow this link. This is where he got the rough from. Normally I'm not against selling stuff like this but hehe, these are some of the wonkiest cuts I've made on this saw. twinrocksandcrystals.com/collections/featured-gemstones/products/veterans-day-sale-small-opalina-rough-1-2-lb - Rob |
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 11, 2024 19:15:17 GMT -5
I had to look that one up, blue peruvian opal/chrysocolla that is often counterfeited for the metaphysical crowd. Probably going to be chippy if it's like the pink Peruvian I have, I think it came from a member at Quartzsite years back. Maybe go slow and start with the 220 hard wheel. There were 3 rough stones and they were tough to cut... very crumbly which is spot on for the chrysocolla (I've cut that earlier and it either needs a soft touch or stabilization). Yeah I think I'll try doing a freeform here just to get a feel for the stone at 180 or 240. Super looking forward to getting on the flat lap in the next day or two to give it a go. rockjunquie the chunks aren't all that big. I think the biggest slabette I could get from it was maybe 1" x 1 3/4" and thicker than 1/4" whenever I tried to get to that thickness it would just crumble. If you have the means to slab it it using a 6" or 4" trim saw (a 10" would just murder the poor thing) you can follow this link. This is where he got the rough from. Normally I'm not against selling stuff like this but hehe, these are some of the wonkiest cuts I've made on this saw. twinrocksandcrystals.com/collections/featured-gemstones/products/veterans-day-sale-small-opalina-rough-1-2-lb - Rob Thanks, Rob. I checked out the site. Looks like it's on sale. |
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lapidary1234
spending too much on rocks
"If you like rocks you can't be all bad!!" ~ old timer quote
Member since October 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by lapidary1234 on Nov 17, 2024 22:35:38 GMT -5
Interesting that they say its Not facet or cabbing grade. I wonder if ots because its crumbly or why? If you make a cab out of it please show us. I bet it would cab up fine |
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Nov 18, 2024 9:22:16 GMT -5
Interesting that they say its Not facet or cabbing grade. I wonder if ots because its crumbly or why? If you make a cab out of it please show us. I bet it would cab up fine It was on my to-do list until I realized I had to prep for the two displays I have to set up for the gem show in Kitsap this week. It's a decently soft material so it should cab up fairly quickly when I do. I'm just as curious as you are  . - Rob |
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