gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,064 
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 26, 2015 20:49:14 GMT -5
Good rant. I much prefer the work of "artisans" or "smiths" who do their work in "shops," not studios. Some elements of this business/trade went very elitist 15 or so years ago partly due to the airs of a certain formerly down-to-earth magazine with the word "lapidary" in its name.
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Post by glennz01 on Feb 26, 2015 22:46:19 GMT -5
This is one I made for my mom, I normally don't do gold chains or jump rings but you get the idea... probably the one with the most white I have done with pale colors. Gives you an idea of what my pendants look like.  |
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Post by glennz01 on Mar 1, 2015 17:00:13 GMT -5
Well its all finished up.. If anyone has this material at the price mentioned let me know (seeing how its hard to give away I suspect some people have a lot of it.  |
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Post by MrP on Mar 1, 2015 17:30:47 GMT -5
Hate to say it but that jump ring took away any of the value you thought that cab had.........................MrP
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on Mar 1, 2015 17:34:39 GMT -5
Now in that pic, the blue does pop on my monitor. Very pretty! Looks almost like Malawi Blue Agate or Ellensburg Blue both of which are quite pricy at shows....Mel
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Post by Pat on Mar 1, 2015 17:38:28 GMT -5
I agree with MrP Also use an oval jumping, so the weakest spot in the ring is on the side, not at the pressure point on the bottom. You can modify a round jumrping by using pliers to gently squish it till it is an oval with the cut on a side. |
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Post by glennz01 on Mar 1, 2015 19:33:42 GMT -5
I don't have too much colored jump rings, I will buy a lot more variety at some point, but If I get it heated just right it should give me a nice blue color.
As for this last pic it shows the color well but not the texture. The color does stand out more with a higher polish though.
I want more of whatever that stone is though.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,064
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 1, 2015 21:15:02 GMT -5
Glen,
A pretty piece. But I worry that drilling it that close to the point may make breakage very likely in normal wear. If it's opal, breakage is almost certain the first time torque is applied when the stone's held stationary. I've worked with a lot of opal and I'd never drill one that way.
If your finished stone is actually the color in the image I think it might possibly be Angelite (anhydrite). Check out the Google images at the link.
The image below is Owyhee blue opal. It polishes with a bright luster which I think is different than your stone.
Owyhee blue opal
Angelite (anhydrite) images
www.google.com/search?q=angelite&biw=1466&bih=664&noj=1&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=4MPzVMxUiJiDBI-VhJAC&ved=0CB8QsAQ
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Post by Pat on Mar 1, 2015 22:13:07 GMT -5
Could you re-use that jumping, and squish it to make it an oval?
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Post by glennz01 on Mar 1, 2015 22:55:48 GMT -5
I think your right with the Angelite, looks very similar from the photos I seen (I want more  ) I haven't had any problem with the rock breaking with the holes being that close to the top. That is where my co-worker shown me to put them. I can reuse the jump ring, although how much force should the jumpring be able to withstand before breaking? The jumprings i'm using take a lot of force to separate (a good 5-10 lbs of force. The jump ring is made of 18 gauge wire. I know some chains my co-worker uses would not withstand that force without breaking. |
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 4, 2015 1:24:37 GMT -5
Wow, glennz01, your cab is gorgeous. Nice polish! Have you thought about purchasing some sterling silver settings for your cabs? Some places have the pendant settings that aren't too terribly expensive, such as Tripps. The ring settings usually cost a bit more. Agree with gemfeller that the blue material could be angelite. Not too long ago, @wampidy posted on the forum a beautiful angelite cab he finished by hand. |
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Post by glennz01 on Mar 4, 2015 4:01:27 GMT -5
I thought about sterling but I figure that If I want to go with high end metal i'd have a gold or silver chain as well. The person picked the pendant up today and absolutely loved it. If people want gold or silver stuff I just buy one from my co-worker since I don't have requests that often.. also the price goes up to cover the metal cost. I did find a website that has some decent priced rings and stuff on all types of metals see here -> rings I'm probably going to get some brass or bronze |
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Mar 11, 2015 12:53:39 GMT -5
Try wire wrapping with copper, or some of the other new cheap alloys. You might be surprised by how easy it is and how good it can look. Can learn it on youtube.
I too am leery about that drill hole. Not a good idea. Looks like Peruvian blue opal to me, but can't really tell from a pic.
Did you find the stone exceptionally soft and easy to work? Anhydrite, AKA "angelite", melts like butter on diamond wheels.
Keep cutting and having fun, you do nice work!
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