rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jan 27, 2007 21:00:03 GMT -5
Here are 3 pieces I picked up on my field trip last November- 16X27mm  16X32mm  19X32mm  I have a fistfull of these running in the tumblers too, but they probably won't be done until March. Also here is a really neat, big piece of Ochoco tube agate; 23X57mm  And to finish off, a couple of shots of the Andamooka Matrix opal doublet that I re-did from a couple weeks ago. If you remember from before- the epoxy had air trapped in it which made it cloudy so I tore it down and re-glued it using a vauumm pump to pull the air out of the epoxy, I think it came out a lot better this way 18X22mm;   |
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Post by Jurrasic Jonje on Jan 27, 2007 21:40:45 GMT -5
That opal and the 3rd one are stunning. Great job!!
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Post by joe on Jan 27, 2007 21:48:45 GMT -5
Wowsers! That's beautiful material and so nicely worked.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 27, 2007 22:54:05 GMT -5
The colors in the 3rd cab are outstanding and the opal is sweeet! Never heard of that type of opal before. Very nice.
Steve
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jan 28, 2007 0:15:40 GMT -5
i like that 3rd one too. the opal is grand!
vacuum pump to remove the air out of the epoxy - well you lost me there lol.
kim
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flatumbler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Now totally addicted!!!
Member since January 2007
Posts: 191
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Post by flatumbler on Jan 28, 2007 0:48:25 GMT -5
The colors are amazing in that opal, just stunning.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jan 28, 2007 0:49:43 GMT -5
Actually Kim, its really common practice in composite layup, when you mix up epoxy you almost can't help but mix some air in with it, by putting the mixture in a vaccuum chamber, the air gets pulled out- all the little bubbles grow up and pop, then when you let the air back into the chamber you have a very clear mixture without any bubbles left in it.
This andamooka matrix opal is fairly porous stone, so even if the epoxy is reasonable clear, the stone itslef might still release air that can cloud the epoxy, so for these I mix the epoxy, vaccuum it clear, then aopply it to the stone and vaccuum it again, that seems to make for a nice clear and solid lamination.
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Jan 28, 2007 10:20:28 GMT -5
Wow! great batch of cabs and the opal is awesome!
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Post by freeform on Jan 28, 2007 23:04:19 GMT -5
That tube agate is very creative Rally, the opal is nice too, thanks for sharing.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jan 29, 2007 11:28:58 GMT -5
Stunning- I love the Opal!
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