polishedball
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 89
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Post by polishedball on Sept 21, 2014 18:43:36 GMT -5
Anyone stabilize this before cutting, or should I just avoid fractures and hope for the best. Thanks
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Post by gingerkid on Sept 22, 2014 21:42:05 GMT -5
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polishedball
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 89
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Post by polishedball on Sept 22, 2014 22:12:58 GMT -5
It is Labradorite, sorry I left that out.
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Post by gingerkid on Sept 23, 2014 0:08:33 GMT -5
Hope someone can make a suggestion for you on whether you should stabilize the labradorite, polishedball. Haven't cabbed any of it before.
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Post by pghram on Sept 26, 2014 9:32:29 GMT -5
I have only cabbed a couple of small pieces of tumbling rough, but I didn't have to stableize it.
Rich
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Post by broseph82 on Sept 26, 2014 14:51:37 GMT -5
Keep us updated. I've been looking for some real flashy slabs/rough myself
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polishedball
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 89
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Post by polishedball on Sept 26, 2014 16:01:02 GMT -5
All this stuff was only 1/4 inch. Otherwise I would have pinged ya, as I saw you were looking for half inch.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2014 17:11:01 GMT -5
Prior to cabbing lab i drop my slab on the work bench a couple of times,to help determine whether or not it will shatter during the cabbing process.i myself have never seen it stabilized Dave
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
Member is Online
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Post by gemfeller on Sept 26, 2014 19:40:56 GMT -5
I've never seen it stabilized either. The problem with Labradorite is that it's plagioclase feldspar with both perfect and distinct cleavages. A hard knock or bump can often set off a new cleavage in a previously solid area. It's easy to cut once you have it oriented properly but it requires a gentle touch and zero heat.
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carleton
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2012
Posts: 277
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Post by carleton on Dec 10, 2014 22:38:35 GMT -5
Hello, Late to the discussion, but if its not too late or for any others who reference this for help, here is what I do. Just for the record I myself never stabilize or use any treatments in my slabs, slabs, rough or cabs. It's safe to say I have cut 1000's of Labradorite and Spectrolite slabs and cabs by now So as far as the concerns with cleaves specifically, there are quite a few "kinds" as far as how they will effect the final cut. If you have a cut face or your material is in slab form, the best way to know if the cleave will case any issues is to look at the piece when its clean and dry. Any cleave that is concerning will typically have an almost hazy/shadowed/almost dusty appearance along the crack or cleave. Those are the worst type and will more than likely separate with little force. You can simply apply pressure (use gloves and eye protection) to see if the cleave snaps. Another test for slabs is to dunk the piece in water and then gently flex the slab. If you see little bubbles or moisture exit and enter the cleaved area you know its a structural problem. The above may be an example of the "crack" in the middle right side of the larger slab, in the non flashing area on your piece. Can not be too sure from a pic though. Another less structurally concerning style are the ones that produce a distinctly different color on one side of the cleave. (I do not mean the flash color, but the base color) normally the discolored shade is a bit yellow/browner than the normal base material. These kinds can be quite strong and still cut fine, but leave a very noticeable defect in color in the end cut. "inclusions" also show in this way too, commonly found closer to the skin on most rough. The above may be an example of the bottom left of the smaller triangular piece in your pic, looks like a "sideway" cleave close to parallel to the cut face. The "black" vein looking cleaves, these are just wild cards in my opinion. They offer some amazing contrast to finished stones when there stable, but I have not seen any way to determine their future, lol, they seem to just either separate or not. The flex test to see if they separate are my only help with those. Now the very distinctive natural cleaves and lines of the material may appear intimidating or concerning, but I have found that they are safe so long as now of the above are noted, and do not effect flash, structure in any way. I am slowly trying to get a better guide on all of this as it would be easier with videos and pics of examples, but I hope some of that helps a bit. Carleton
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