spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Apr 27, 2007 16:52:17 GMT -5
Had a dissapointing week. I bought one slab of Rhodontie last weekend.  The oval broke while trimming, and the crack in the tear drop showed up after the trip home (only 60 miles, no bad bumps) in a bag with other rough formed cabs. The fracture was not there when I left and I have a heart preform left (Yes Ed still using a sharpie  ) that i want to give to one of my daughters when done. Is this stuff that fragile and prone to fractures? If so I don't think I will be shelling out the money most people are asking to replace them. Spike |
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Post by krazydiamond on Apr 27, 2007 17:25:25 GMT -5
like most stone, i think there are better grades than others. i've been gifted some fairly stable material from Snowdog that was quite workable.  like most softer stone, you have to be a wee bit careful but the material you are showing looks a bit chalky, maybe try Opticon or just plain epoxy to heal the fractures? good luck, Spike! KD |
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Post by freeform on Apr 27, 2007 17:28:32 GMT -5
Hey Spike, Well, generally speaking, Yes. But becasue of its habit, crystaline. though small crystals, these can still cleave and fracture. However it still takes some abuse to do that. But that also means the crystaline habit can "hide" fractures better than cryptocrystaline stones like agate and jasper. Now, just from looking at the color and habit of that grade of Rhodonite, i wouldnt consider it or grade is as high grade. It more medium to low. Here is a link to what the good stuff should be selling by; www.greatrough.com/rough_rhodonite.shtml At least that what i saw this past year also at the large gemshows. On the eastcoast of USA, maybe $8 per pound. No higher in my opinion Also, here is a link to some Mexican Rhodochrosite that i have worked and it works up very nice. You must be mindful of the same crystaline habit, but its fine color. sierramadretraders.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=114however, its pretty steep in price. Thats mainly becasue of what mineral it is, not the color or cutablity of it. |
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
|
Post by spikeict on Apr 27, 2007 20:14:28 GMT -5
I was kind of afraid it wasn't that great of material. But just in case it was the nature of the beast I thought I had better ask before I invested in more.
I have a nice piece of mook that Robert gave me that has some good pink in it. I will use that this time, and maybe get a better grade next time around.
Thanks
Spike
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jjckitti
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2007
Posts: 775
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Post by jjckitti on Apr 28, 2007 20:34:04 GMT -5
Jonje and I have rhodonite that we have cut and tumbled in the vibe and they came out well. I did notice that the grinder likes to eat it up quick if I'm not careful and that it takes a little longer to get a good shine because of it's softness, but even with the cutting and grinder and vibe, none have broken.
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) that i want to give to one of my daughters when done. 
