herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Nov 3, 2012 3:30:21 GMT -5
I've been really itching to try and work with some nicer opal. This summer at the Denver show I bought some mid grade Mexican opal And tonight i got the nerve up to go for it. I fought with this stuff for several hours. I couldn't get it to dop with wax. I had a pretty piece of transparent blue stuff that just wouldn't dop. I lost a piece of some fire opal when it shot off the dop. These 3 little pieces were a pain, lots of pits and fractures, but i wasn't completely unhappy with the result. I had some other material and i have no idea what it is. The white stuff with black veins is a little soft but shined nicely. The blue stuff is from Ralph and Mary Ann, and I love it! Again, no idea, i like the mottled pattern and it took a heck of a shine. Update for polish, i use this from John at Jsgems:
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jason12x12
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 798
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Post by jason12x12 on Nov 3, 2012 3:53:09 GMT -5
you sure get em shiney that blue is awesome..
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Post by talkingstones on Nov 3, 2012 6:36:21 GMT -5
Beautiful, John! Love that little green one!
Cathy
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Post by Bejewelme on Nov 3, 2012 7:04:21 GMT -5
I like that blue one, you sure get a nice shine for sure what do you use to polish?
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Post by Tonyterner on Nov 3, 2012 7:10:51 GMT -5
You get a great shine. I've been on a precious opal kick. Just ordered 150 carats of Ethiopian welo. Can't wait to tear into that. Only problem with the precious stuff is the pieces are pretty small. If you want some precious opal send me a pm with your addy.
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Nov 3, 2012 7:25:20 GMT -5
Nice John, Do ya ever sleepLOL Later Clyde
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Nov 3, 2012 11:31:51 GMT -5
Bump for update, bejewlme i use this polish on a suede disk
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Post by Toad on Nov 3, 2012 17:45:44 GMT -5
I like the white and black one
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hubrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2011
Posts: 1,563
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Post by hubrocks on Nov 3, 2012 18:06:51 GMT -5
Nice! I like the blue, all are shinny
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Post by frane on Nov 4, 2012 8:39:33 GMT -5
You got a great shine on the howlite (Black and white). The blue could be a very nice piece of chrysocola. It even looks like some turquoise that I have. Great job on them all! Fran
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Post by roy on Nov 4, 2012 10:56:33 GMT -5
wow john those have a nice shine on them i really like the blue one
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 4, 2012 13:12:54 GMT -5
Awesome job on taking that pic!! I like the blue one as well, you nailed it on the shine with all of those
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Nov 4, 2012 14:19:15 GMT -5
Yeah i need to bug Ralph and Mary Ann about how to get some more of that blue. It was in a box of slabs from them.
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Post by beefjello on Nov 4, 2012 14:33:13 GMT -5
Nice ones John! That Howlite came with your decal ;D
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Nov 4, 2012 15:10:26 GMT -5
That's right!
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Post by christopherl1234 on Nov 5, 2012 2:18:17 GMT -5
Looks like you did a good job on those.
I dopped opal with wax one time....ever since I use super glue and baking soda to accelerate the bonding. To undop I put them in a jar with a little acetone....it has never hurt any that I have cut.
I just returned from the largest opal show in the USA. The American Opal Society puts it on every year. I picked up about 20 pounds of Mexican Opal Rough. I buy it in the matrix because for me there is nothing better than slicing a piece off to get an opal off the outside and finding a better gem hidden inside!!
Gotta love them opals!!!!!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Nov 5, 2012 12:42:34 GMT -5
Can't wait to see some of your new opal Chris!
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