adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 2, 2007 14:07:53 GMT -5
Hello, everyone! I've finished the week-end working at a set (intended to be pendant + ring). It's a sort of moss, I think:   I've got another slab from which I'll try to do another two cabs for ear-rings. I have a question: You've probably noticed the crack in the big cab. What do you think, can be a cracked cab like that still be mounted as a jewel? The crack seems to be stable, didn't break through all the process. I've done these ones without dopping sticks. Dimensions: big: 50 x 21 mm, thickness 7 mm; small: 18 x 12 mm, thickness 7 mm. Thanks for looking, Adrian |
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Post by bobby1 on Dec 2, 2007 22:23:39 GMT -5
Any crack (fracture in cabberspeak) detracts from the durability and quality of the cab. If possible try to avoid them, particularly when it is in a prominent location on the cab. Sometimes they can be sealed with Opticon fracture sealer.
Bob
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 2, 2007 22:29:40 GMT -5
I like the stone, great job!!
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 2, 2007 23:38:34 GMT -5
Thank you both. Bob, I saw the fracture only during polishing. But now I washed the cab with borax and the crack is much less visible than in the pic above  Here's the pic after borax washing, the white from the fracture has gone:  and a backlight pic:  Adrian |
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 3, 2007 11:42:02 GMT -5
Come on folks, please let me know what you think about those. In my beginner stage any opinion is useful, not only the positive ones. So, feel free to smash them into pieces if you feel to, you're very welcome to do it! Adrian PS. and this is valid for any cab I post |
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Post by bobby1 on Dec 3, 2007 12:09:17 GMT -5
I really like the creative use of the shape for drop earrings, rings and pendants. They really are beautiful cabs! The polish, shape and symmetry are excellent.
One of the problems in evaluating rough material especially when you are looking through dealer's bins and they have them in water is the water hides the fractures. The same is true when you are cabbing. I have had many occasions where I didn't notice the fracture until late in the process. This happens often with Opal.
I use my ultrasonic cleaner on my cabs to clean any polish residue from the finished product. I also use it to thoroughly clean anything that I am sealing the fractures with Opticon.
Bob
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Post by Tonyterner on Dec 3, 2007 12:09:22 GMT -5
Adrian, I like them. Both are nice shapes and I really like the stone. The crack is less noticable in the second photo but you still see it. I think most people would consider that a defect.
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fossilbrain
spending too much on rocks
Cookie Monster agate
Member since October 2007
Posts: 360
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Post by fossilbrain on Dec 4, 2007 11:14:27 GMT -5
I don't consider the fracture to detract from the cab enough to literally worry about it, after the fact, esp. when it has swirls and stuff in it.
The absence of the fracture would increase its value just as lack of inclusions in diamonds do, to me.
My wife wanted a larger diamond solitaire with a hard to notice inclusion in it, in lieu of a smaller, more perfect one, you know?
I'll always try to avoid fractures but I'm not going to pull my hair out over subtle ones that become evident in the final stages.
Dimples, either. Life's too short, and I'm always my worst critic when it comes to family, friends, and even most strangers.
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