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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 27, 2015 7:07:24 GMT -5
We got new granite counter tops at work last month and when they were getting installed I seen the slug from the core drill laying on the floor after they drilled the faucet holes. I grabbed it thinking I would toss it in the tumbler but last night I sliced off a piece and turned it into a quick pendant. I did this one for fun and I'll see if anyone at work wants it for one of the wives or daughters and if not I'll donate it tomorrow at the rock show for one of their auctions. I guess all of the posts from jamesp about granite lately got me motivated on this one. sorry for the cell phone photo (looks better in person)  Chuck |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Mar 27, 2015 8:00:06 GMT -5
Maybe matching cabs from countertops could be a selling feature for the countertops. Include your wine corks and then coasters.
Granite countertops are big business...
Interior decoration biz has lots of money floating around.
Maybe a sales call at the local countertop company is due.
I was shaping some on the coarse grinder and found it to work well.
I would guess you had no problems cabbing it. Plus you grooved it.
It can be fussy in the tumbler.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 27, 2015 8:08:24 GMT -5
jamesp - I have made wine stoppers from the left over granite from counter sink holes for customers in the past. My first thought when I made this pendant was the possibility of make a full set of cabinet door/drawer pulls to match the counters. The problem with working with granite for lapidary is that it takes the same labor as an exotic rock and does not yield near the payback. Custom work to match a customers counter would be an exception to that rule. I have done a full set of these for my aunt's kitchen. Imagine them with counter matching granite in them   Chuck
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Mar 27, 2015 8:23:18 GMT -5
The interior decoration biz is not related to the competitive jewelry business. Dances to a completely different drummer. There is a couple of high end decorator shops in Atlanta that sell specimen rocks blended into table lamps that make big money. One has a contract with The Ritz Carlton. Table lamps from $1500-$4000. Displays with specimens mounted on pedestals,etc. But countertop business is probably more accessible to sell to. Example from images:  |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Mar 27, 2015 8:32:43 GMT -5
ADAC is a large interior decorator collective here in Atlanta. There are a couple of tile and kitchen shops in their group. I was astonished at the lapidary grade material they use for tiles these days. Sinks and whole bathtubs too. If you live near a big city take a stroll thru the high end decorator shops sometime. ADAC has some of the finest museum grade specimens you could imagine. Even ole jamesp has sold some split coral specimens. If I had a 30 inch saw I could have done well. You really get an idea of what lapidary mastery goes on in other countries. www.rondierdesign.com/#!/index/G0000ptrYPYktBRQ/I0000N6QEqH_OrWg |
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Mar 27, 2015 9:01:21 GMT -5
In the industrial unit I am in now. A marble / granite guy move in and the first thing I did was go over and say hi. He has a few nice saws that I would like to use.
Now he told me I am welcome to all the scrap he puts in his 20 yard bin. Now that the weather is better and the snow is gone I think I will go over and see what I can find in his bin.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 27, 2015 9:19:46 GMT -5
So many things can be made from granite.....NICE!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Mar 27, 2015 9:44:12 GMT -5
I used to mount all kinds of rocks in all kinds of configurations before the recession hit. Sold to high end decorators. My saw is only 18 inches. Face polished with a wet grinder using diamond pads. Would drill and mount using a shaft too. Wholesale was $150-200 per mount. Did lamps too. Lucite sells best.     even a piece of limestone, they liked white.(please forgive the hijack)  |
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KathyG
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2015
Posts: 85 
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Post by KathyG on Mar 29, 2015 8:46:26 GMT -5
jamesp - I have made wine stoppers from the left over granite from counter sink holes for customers in the past. My first thought when I made this pendant was the possibility of make a full set of cabinet door/drawer pulls to match the counters. The problem with working with granite for lapidary is that it takes the same labor as an exotic rock and does not yield near the payback. Custom work to match a customers counter would be an exception to that rule. I have done a full set of these for my aunt's kitchen. Imagine them with counter matching granite in them Chuck Wow. Just wow. I think it's great to use leftover material to make something else from it..no wasting of the earth's resources. The above pieces are beautiful! Your aunt must have been so touched to get a set of these from you. How special it is that we all can make beautiful things and give them as gifts to our families and friends. |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 29, 2015 9:16:36 GMT -5
Those wine stoppers are awesome!!!!! Hell James,hijacks are great too-thumbs up...........
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Post by mohs on Mar 29, 2015 9:22:17 GMT -5
I had a notion to start up a mobile grinding service
following counter-top installers
and crafting rock'n heart pendants out of the scrap material
for the client.
I've done few for some folks
Have rock-- will travel
mostly
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