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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 12, 2014 11:12:20 GMT -5
I have a friend in Berkeley who has a hunk of whitish/light green/purple jade he brought home from Burma and a hunk of gorgeous looking labradorite he brought home from Madagascar as souvenirs. He would like them slabbed and polished. He doesn't know anything much about rocks except he appreciates pretty ones.  He would be willing to pay somebody to slab the two stones (I think they're smallish - 2lbs-4lbs) and face polish one/some slabs. He might be interested in cabs too, I don't know, but he didn't mention it. He would probably be willing to do it on a "shares" basis too. Let me know if you might be interested - I can put you in touch with him. I've seen pictures of both rocks, and they look nice. The Lab especially, looks amazing. He thinks he needs somebody in the east bay but he'll learn about flat rate boxes soon enough. I think his slabs would end up about 4x6ish inches. Thanks |
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Post by phil on Jun 12, 2014 18:44:16 GMT -5
oew... jade is a tough rock to cut, very hard on saw blades. Labradorite is tough to get just the right angle to capture that shine.... I can't help... maybe you'll get lucky? last jade we tried to cut was on a new blade, only 6 inches thick, and at 4 hours we had to shut down, only half way thru.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 12, 2014 19:16:37 GMT -5
Geesh. This one has one cut on it already (the jade) and the Labradorite I believe is a polished brick already, so the shine is oriented to the flat side. I understand if nobody's interested though.
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Post by phil on Jun 12, 2014 21:10:51 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2014 21:35:12 GMT -5
Hey Susan, I guess all is well.
I am a sucker for jade/nephrite and have cut a bunch of it for shares. Mel was the first and got me started doing it. I never had a problem with blades cutting it like I have with agate and jasper. I have not cut lab but was present when Tony cut the perfect lab slab that I bought from him. If it is showing flash now there should be no problem.
Put him in touch with me through email because I would like to see a photo first that shows the size. What you describe should be no problem for my 12 inch saw. I have a new blade that just needs broke in and it is good to go. New oil too.
I can not guarantee a super polish on the jade but I am now in the process of test polishing a bunch of different species of the stuff from California, Washington and BC Canada. The Turkish purple jade shines up like agate (almost) but I have never seen the Burma stuff. Do you know if it is nephrite or jadeite? It may make a difference and it may not. I have a piece of BC jade that has a super polish on the top and one end but the sides just do not want to come close so I will have to try something else on the sides. It can be frustrating but if you find a way it is spectacular.
Jim
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 12, 2014 21:37:37 GMT -5
Hi Jim. I'll PM you his email address. We don't know whether the jade is Nephrite or Jadeite. Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2014 21:58:37 GMT -5
Hi Jim. I'll PM you his email address. We don't know whether the jade is Nephrite or Jadeite. Thanks! Coming from the orient you don't even know if it's really jade! In fact, I believe it is illegal to import actual jade from Myanmar to the USA. So, it's prolly better if it is not actually jade! But still a worthwhile project. Wampidy is your man for this one. We hope to see the finished pieces. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2014 22:14:09 GMT -5
I am sure it is from prior to 2008. Is there anywhere that we do not have our foot or whatever in their face? Thanks for the vote of confidence Scott. Just hope I can carry the rock. Have not had a failure since, ? maybe yesterday or the day before. Too many to keep track of. Jim |
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miander
spending too much on rocks
Searching for the shop of my dreams...
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Post by miander on Jun 25, 2014 22:14:24 GMT -5
Hi, if things don't work out I live in Hercules and can help out - it's about 10 minutes from Berkeley, where I grew up. Also, tell your friend to joins the Vallejo Gem and mineral Society. It's worth the small annual fee and bridge toll, the have all the equipment for lapidary available for all members. Let me know if your friend wants to talk rocks!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2014 7:18:29 GMT -5
I have one cut left on the labradorite (fantastic piece) and I will be finished cutting all the rocks. I was waiting until I got the jade into smaller pieces to do an SG test on them. It looks really real (and gorgeous)(lavender, white and green)(no way it could have been dyed) but not really really real. If it is real I think it is low quality and I may have to do a Hxtal treatment because it has an odd cut surface which looks pock marked. Almost like tiny pieces either fell or were ripped out. I will know today.
The other green jade looks a lot like Washington translucent nephrite with the black inclusions.
Jim
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 26, 2014 10:14:53 GMT -5
Woo, we want to see pics of the Lab! Interested to hear if the jade is real too and if not, I wonder what it is?
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Post by Toad on Jun 27, 2014 12:55:37 GMT -5
Yes. Yes! Pics please...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2014 1:24:20 GMT -5
Helping my son move and a bazillion other things going on. photos are ready, just need to upload them then post. I was going to do it now but I looked at the clock and it is 12:23. I will shoot for later today.
Jim
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2014 9:20:56 GMT -5
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