micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on May 3, 2016 1:25:24 GMT -5
Oregon Sunstone, in a modified Carousel cut (because I ran out of room on the crown). I cut this twice - the first time, my machine wasn't well-aligned and I had immense problems getting a level girdle on the crown. Chipped the culet at some point and scratched the pavilion while using a razor to remove wax...not gonna do that again! Has some veils that weren't visible until polish.    |
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Thunder69
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Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,105
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Post by Thunder69 on May 3, 2016 6:01:53 GMT -5
Man that has some sparkle to it...very nice...you did a good job...John
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Intheswamp
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Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910 
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Post by Intheswamp on May 3, 2016 6:20:00 GMT -5
WOW!!! *Really great* #2!!!!! Keep at it!!!!  |
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723
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Post by Fossilman on May 3, 2016 8:55:34 GMT -5
HOLY MOLLY !!! BEAUTIFUL work,now that is a nice stone!
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wampidytoo
has rocks in the head
Add 5016 to my post count.
Member since June 2013
Posts: 709
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Post by wampidytoo on May 3, 2016 11:04:23 GMT -5
Still quite impressive young lady. Good on you. Too much math for me.  Jim |
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2016 11:53:42 GMT -5
Nice job, despite the disclaimers! It looks like a blue/green - red dichroic piece, or is that just the camera?
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micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on May 3, 2016 11:57:37 GMT -5
@rocks2dust, that's just the camera - it's clear yellow.
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Post by mohs on May 3, 2016 15:41:02 GMT -5
you indexing fine finger faceting fiend you, Michelle !
keep on clicking!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2016 15:47:59 GMT -5
I quit, before I even started. If that is your second cut, then I see no point in even trying.  |
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Intheswamp
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Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on May 3, 2016 16:28:14 GMT -5
I quit, beforemI even started. If that is your second cut, then I see no point in even trying. <chuckle> I'm with the quitter. For the second stone...it *is* amazing!!! |
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Post by orrum on May 3, 2016 19:03:44 GMT -5
Use a lil heat and acetone to rub off wax. Just soften the wax and don't blow urself up!!!
Very nice!
Have you tried a Maltese cross effect by not polishing the coresponding facets on the bottom??? It would show real well with that color stone.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 3, 2016 19:54:39 GMT -5
I'm amazed this is only your second one! You seem to have found your lapidary calling!
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2016 22:37:55 GMT -5
I quit, beforemI even started. If that is your second cut, then I see no point in even trying. <chuckle> I'm with the quitter. For the second stone...it *is* amazing!!! I am the quitter! Ha! Michelle, you made this old man decide to never buy a faceting machine. However, I do have a great teacher just moved 40 miles from me! Lol |
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Post by Garage Rocker on May 3, 2016 23:09:49 GMT -5
Very pretty, nice job!
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Post by vegasjames on May 4, 2016 3:09:36 GMT -5
Looks great.
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gemfeller
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Member since June 2011
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Post by gemfeller on May 4, 2016 11:54:58 GMT -5
Good job! In my experience an uneven girdle usually indicates a bad transfer, assuming your machine is "straight." Kudos for sticking with it and thinking out a modification when you came up short on crown material. When I used wax I put the dopped stone into a tall glass olive jar with a little acetone overnight. I made sure the jar was tall enough so it could be sealed with a lid to eliminate acetone fumes. Usually an overnight soak was enough to dissolve the wax. It's always hard to suppress the desire to see the finished stone immediately but a little patience usually pays off. But since I learned to dop with 5-minute epoxy I can see my results almost immediately.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2016 14:42:53 GMT -5
Good job! In my experience an uneven girdle usually indicates a bad transfer, assuming your machine is "straight." Kudos for sticking with it and thinking out a modification when you came up short on crown material. When I used wax I put the dopped stone into a tall glass olive jar with a little acetone overnight. I made sure the jar was tall enough so it could be sealed with a lid to eliminate acetone fumes. Usually an overnight soak was enough to dissolve the wax. It's always hard to suppress the desire to see the finished stone immediately but a little patience usually pays off. But since I learned to dop with 5-minute epoxy I can see my results almost immediately. Rick, I always appreciate your insight, knowledge and experience. Thanks! How do you "un-dop" the stone and dop stick from the epoxy? |
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on May 4, 2016 16:18:53 GMT -5
Faceting machines use metal dipsticks Scott. "Un-dopping" is easy once you've had a little experience. I put a soft cloth on the table surface next to my alcohol lamp, then grasp the dopstick with smooth-jawed pliers about 3-4 inches back of the stone. I always keep stone tweezers next to the faceting machine and once the lamp is lit and I'm holding the dop in the pliers, I pick up the tweezers with the other hand. I gently heat the dopstick about 1-1/2 inches back of the stone while applying gentle pressure on the stone with the tweezers. It usually takes no more than 10-15 seconds for the epoxy to soften enough to release the stone, which is pried off carefully with the tweezers and falls unharmed onto the cloth. The stone should be warm, never hot. If any epoxy is left on the stone it can be removed with a fingernail while it's still warm.
The real trick is careful measuring of the epoxy so it makes a hard non-pliable bond with the stone. I usually mix it with a flat toothpick on a little piece of aluminum foil. When the stone's dopped I put the foil with remaining uncured epoxy next to the dop stand as a control. After an hour or two I test it with a fingernail to be sure it's really hardened. If it is, I proceed with cutting. If it isn't, I re-do because a bad cure can cause the stone to shift on the lap, leading to all sorts of nasty problems.
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micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
Posts: 640
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Post by micellular on May 4, 2016 16:46:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips, gemfeller. I have screw vials of acetone at work, and I should have just been patient enough to do that (or use just fingernails and not a razor to remove the bulk of the excess wax). Since I haven't got the hang of transfer yet, I prefer wax because I more easily fix mistakes. I think that I'll switch to epoxy when I get more comfortable, like I did with cabochons. You also reminded me to get a set of stone tweezers. It's a constant battle against finger grease right now. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2016 18:30:18 GMT -5
Nice. Never would have considered the epoxy would soften under heat... Thx!
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