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Post by kap on May 27, 2009 15:09:30 GMT -5
Here is a picture of a 11lb piece of Labradorite I just bought. I will have to try Shannon's tip on marking it to cut. It should make some nice slabs if I dont screw it up . I hate trying to figure out where to start the cut. Keith
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wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
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Post by wyobrian on May 27, 2009 15:27:45 GMT -5
Keith labratorite is one of my favs do they have more cant wait too see it cut thanks for posting :drool: :drool: Brian
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Post by frane on May 27, 2009 15:44:24 GMT -5
I am in your boat! I hate to find where to put the cut. That is an absolutely beautiful piece of Labradorite too!
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Post by 150FromFundy on May 27, 2009 16:58:13 GMT -5
I've never cut a piece, but from everything I've read, the "labradorescence" effect only works if you cut the material in the correct plane. I'm not sure what Shannon's tip is, but she's probably right.
Cut and finish one slab rather than slicing the entire piece. If you don't get the shimmer on the first piece, try cutting in another plane.
If you cut the entire piece and get it wrong, you will be left with many slabs of pretty blue feldspar, but not Labradorite.
150FromFundy
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Post by Bejewelme on May 27, 2009 17:23:57 GMT -5
BikerRandy is also really good at cutting correctly to maximize color and flash, he will give you good advice and he likes labradorite! That is a stunning piece. The slabs will be incredible, and I like making cabs with it, it takes a great shine!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2009 19:16:25 GMT -5
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Post by kap on May 27, 2009 19:55:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the links . I need any ideas y'all have. Keith
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Post by texaswoodie on May 27, 2009 19:58:27 GMT -5
Dang! Nice! Ooooo. Ahhhh.
Curt
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Post by NatureNut on May 27, 2009 20:32:10 GMT -5
Hey Kap, I've cut a bunch of moonstone and blue flash peristerite, and some labradorite and can lend this. Take the rock dry and turn it around and around and look for the side that has the most flash (reflection from wet surface can interfere). Sometimes this stuff is a conglomerate and the flash is at all angles every which way. You're trying to read the rock to see which direction has the most flash in what chunk. Sometimes you gotta work the cut one way on one part and switch it on another part to maximize your flash.
Don't know if this has already been suggested, but if I'm getting stymied, like working a rubic's cube, I'll just take a few cuts on the edges at different directions and then study the amount of flash on that side of the rock. Just shave a little off so you're not taking off too much.
You're gonna have to visualize what side you want for the top of your cab and turn the rock and watch when the flash is max. Hold that position, now visualize a flat cut (facing you) that is perpendicular to the line of your eye looking at that flash.
I probably didn't explain this well, and I apologize if I didn't. You've got alot of excellent advice here. You could always chop off a small chunk and experiment with that first, so that you're not so much afraid to mess up the whole thing. I've done that. You'll get it.
Beautiful piece, nice purchase! Have fun with it!
Jo
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on May 27, 2009 21:12:01 GMT -5
very cool
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