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Post by talkingstones on May 7, 2012 16:45:58 GMT -5
Has anyone ever worked with directional stones? I have a piece of spectrolite with a scene in it that can only be seen from certain angles. I would like to cab it but really want to work it to the best advantage. Is there a grain one should follow or something when working on a rock like this?
Thanks,
Cathy
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on May 7, 2012 17:22:57 GMT -5
That is a great question Cathy. I have some Labradolite that I have been waiting to work. It to has the same quality.
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Post by Pat on May 7, 2012 20:13:25 GMT -5
I'd like to see that answer, too. I think obsidian is the same way. Thanks for thinking to ask!
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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 May 8, 2012 1:16:38 GMT -5
I wish I knew how to convey this. But after a few you will get it. In the mean time, Grind one edge then another since they are what they are you can and should use a fairly fine grit. That will show the flow of the flash.
It takes time and error.
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on May 8, 2012 2:08:40 GMT -5
There was a similar question asked earlier, did you do a search to see if it would pull anything up? I'll bet SpokaneTim can answer this question, he has answered a similar question.
Tammy
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Post by NatureNut on May 8, 2012 10:20:14 GMT -5
Find the side that shows the desired flash. Hold it facing you so you can see it. Now, bring it down where it would be hanging as a pendant. adjust it for the best flash. Now imagine a line coming straight up from the Earth, where it would be hanging from around someone's neck, and make that cut.
Some are multi-directional so you will have to make each cut like this, adjusting for the best flash every time. Jo
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Post by bobby1 on May 8, 2012 10:54:42 GMT -5
An old trick I've heard about is this: (can be used with any directional material) Get a dish of water and hold the piece above it. With a light directly above the dish, look directly down at the rough and as you move it about, when you see the best flash lower the piece partly into the water. As you lift it out of the water mark the water line and use this as your trim line. It should be parallel to the best flash. Bob
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shermlock
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 612
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Post by shermlock on May 8, 2012 17:00:12 GMT -5
An old trick I've heard about is this: (can be used with any directional material) Get a dish of water and hold the piece above it. With a light directly above the dish, look directly down at the rough and as you move it about, when you see the best flash lower the piece partly into the water. As you lift it out of the water mark the water line and use this as your trim line. It should be parallel to the best flash. Bob That is something I will try! Scott
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Post by talkingstones on May 8, 2012 19:44:19 GMT -5
Thanks Jo and Scott! Tammy, I tried the search but couldn't find it. My keywords must have been different from those of that post. In any event, the piece I have is about the size of a domino. Not a huge piece but big enough to cab. It's shaped like a domino too and just looking at it, you'd think it was one only it doesn't have spots. I'll see what I can do with it, but think I'm going to wait a bit and see what I can learn from less costly stuff.
Cathy
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Post by NatureNut on May 8, 2012 20:36:03 GMT -5
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rocpup
spending too much on rocks
Pink Limb Iris
Member since March 2011
Posts: 465
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Post by rocpup on May 8, 2012 20:55:21 GMT -5
Bobby1 has about as good of way to mark a cut as I have seen. When you hold the rock in your hand turning it to get the best flash that needs to be the top of your stone. So the cutting plane would be 90 degrees around your line of site. A small piece the size of a domino might not let you get it at the best angle for the best flash. If it is for a pendant grind it to a shape where the flash is pointed up may be the best you can do. Don
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