adrian65
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 19, 2007 12:27:58 GMT -5
Hello, I've picked up this cab that I've made a while ago and gave to a jeweler to frame it for me. That costed me about 25 $ including the silver. The design belongs to me. I'm not very pleased about he finishing, a lot of scratches on the silver. Besides, in the upper part - right you can notice a fracture in the silver bezel. I would be grateful if the silver workers here would express their very sincere opinion about this silver work. As I told you, I didn't do it and I'm a bit disappointed about the shine. Also please tell me if I am too severe. It's easy not to be pleased if it's not your work, so please tell me if it is so.     Thanks for looking, Adrian |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2007 12:42:03 GMT -5
Adrian,
I am not a silversmith but I would think that there definitely should NOT be visible scratches. I would not be happy if I paid for that either.
Shannon
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Sabre52
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 19, 2007 12:52:59 GMT -5
Yeah, I like the stone a lot but the silver work does look a little unfinished. The design is neat but I also am not crazy about the soldering and scratches etc....Mel
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Post by Michael John on Dec 19, 2007 13:41:09 GMT -5
Very sloppy work. I've seen beginners do MUCH better.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2007 13:42:23 GMT -5
At least they didnt screw up your pretty cab.
Shannon
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Post by Titania on Dec 19, 2007 14:59:06 GMT -5
Do you have a photo that shows it hanging from the front? Something just seems off to me about how it's laying in that first photo.
I like the design, but IMO the execution leaves more than a bit to be desired. Those scratches are rather ugly.
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Post by Tweetiepy on Dec 19, 2007 15:16:55 GMT -5
I've heard that may be able to get out the scratches by tumbling with steel shot, water & a drop of liquid dish soap - but I'm not sure the cab would survive though - but you could try tumbling it in dry rice, no water, I doubt it would hurt the stone and it could help the shine (not sure how well the stone would stay in there - it is rather scratchy though.
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Post by Tonyterner on Dec 19, 2007 15:52:07 GMT -5
Is the bail a little lopsided or is it me that's lopsided?
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adrian65
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 19, 2007 15:57:49 GMT -5
Thanks for comments and advices. No the bail is ok but you're right that in the pictures it seems not.
I couldn't stay away of it and corrected that big frame, grinded it till to about 1,5 mm. Also sharpened the edge of the bezel for better aspect. I'll try to polish it, i'll come again with pics tomorrow. It's late now here, bye.
Adrian
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
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Post by rallyrocks on Dec 19, 2007 16:54:20 GMT -5
Actually for $25 I probably wouldn't complain too much.
If I got asked to do something like that I admit I'd put a lot more time and effort into finishing it better, but I'd also probably want to charge more like $75-100.
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usaman65
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2007
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Post by usaman65 on Dec 19, 2007 17:43:22 GMT -5
you could use a dremel polishing bit with pm compound to give it a good shine
kev
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Post by larrywyland3 on Dec 19, 2007 21:01:26 GMT -5
Becareful! Some jewelers use glue to hold the cab in the setting. I never do. I make the bezel a tight fit and then planish the bezel wire over to hold it. It looks like there is a bit of a gap between the cab and the wire. It may be sheet metal that was used. Sheet is usually .925; where bezel wire is .999 and soft. There is no reason for a jeweler not to use ZAM or another polish to get out the scratches and tool marks. The only reason would be if they glued it first and then the heat from the polishing would melt the glue. On the positive 25 dollars is cheap. Silver is about 13 dollars an ounce and you pay more when it is in a wire or sheat form. The bail is not a simple one. The back is cut out to keep it lighter; another nice touch. I just can't figure why the jeweler would not shine it up it would take maybe 2 minutes. Thats what got me thinking about the glue. The ones I have done I charged 70 to 100 dollars depending on the cab. I go from rough to finished jewelry. I am mostly into cabbing now; and don't do much silver work at this time.
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Post by larrywyland3 on Dec 19, 2007 21:06:20 GMT -5
Oh, the cab is definately the best part of the pendant; great job.
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Post by bobby1 on Dec 20, 2007 0:48:32 GMT -5
The soldered seams (look closely at the join between the base and the bezel) are sloppy and not completely flowed. The bezel strip is not pressed tightly to the stone, the polish is poor. Get a small (1") soft felt wheel for your rotary tool (Dremel, Fordom, etc.) and some White Diamond tripoli and rouge and polish the piece all over. A little liquid detergent and ammonia and a tooth brush will clean it up. Probably what you could expect for $25. though.
Bob
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adrian65
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 20, 2007 3:53:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the comments, everyone. Yes, you're right about 25 being pretty low, but he made the price and I did't push him to lower at all. And I was pleasantly surprised about how neat he did the bail and its hinge, exactly as I wish.
about super glue, he actualy told me he used super glue to tighten the stone. Now, after I've remade it, I didn't add super glue any more and the stone has a slight movement. I used cotton and lipstick to polish it, and it's quite bright. Later wit pic.
Adrian
PS. The trick with lipstick and cotton was told me by a friend of mine, a jeweler. but unfortunately he lives 500 km away so we cannot colaborate.
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adrian65
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 20, 2007 8:43:34 GMT -5
Here's the pic of my "upgrade": narrowed border + enhanced polish.  Thanks for looking again. Adrian |
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Post by Titania on Dec 20, 2007 9:05:33 GMT -5
I like what you've done, Adrian. I think it's a big improvement.
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adrian65
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Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 20, 2007 9:38:33 GMT -5
You're too kind, Titania. Thank you.
Adrian
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Post by Tonyterner on Dec 20, 2007 12:17:57 GMT -5
Adrian it is much shinier. The smaller border makes the stone more of the center of attention. Nice fix.
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