Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Aug 7, 2016 9:47:27 GMT -5
What do you guys use and where can I get some? Do you cut your own?
If you have some you'll sell PM me a price/size/etc.
Thanks!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2016 10:09:30 GMT -5
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Aug 7, 2016 10:22:30 GMT -5
Thanks Scott - any idea what size 500 cts would equate to? I need thin pieces large enough for my cabs that tend to be big - probably need pieces in the 1.5" x 2 range.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2016 10:26:36 GMT -5
I got a log bout 3" long and 3/4" x 3/4" ish
You,could ask the company if they have a way to accomodate your huge cabochons.
Optical quartz was for sale at Q last year. At the rock shop at the end of the exit street north of the freewqay. $18/#
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Post by manofglass on Aug 7, 2016 11:02:55 GMT -5
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Aug 7, 2016 12:19:20 GMT -5
Thanks Walt - wow that stuff is expensive.
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Mark K
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Member since April 2012
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Post by Mark K on Aug 7, 2016 15:22:59 GMT -5
Do you mean transparent? If not would low grade MT agate work? (honey agate)
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Aug 7, 2016 17:30:42 GMT -5
Do you mean transparent? If not would low grade MT agate work? (honey agate) Hmmm... good idea Mark - I've got some of that in my garden. I'm going to have to go on a search now to see if I have any that is devoid of colors. That also brings snakeskin agate to mind...I think I know where some of that is available. |
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Post by orrum on Aug 7, 2016 17:44:49 GMT -5
Tony/Catmandew slices optical Quartz for folks to use as opal triplet stuff. Tommy there is a place in Ca. One of the big coastal cities that has a wholesale glass wsrehouse. They have sheets of optical glass that is as hard as quartz. It's what we get for the opal lab at the club at Quartzsite. It's like man made quartz so it doesn't scratch and scar like glass does. You should be able to Google it.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
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Post by zarguy on Aug 7, 2016 22:56:15 GMT -5
I'm going to slice up a quartz crystal I have that's clear in the center but frosted on the outside. Like it was river tumbled. I think someone at Quartzite was selling them from Brazil or Uruguay. Next time I see someone selling that kind of quartz crystals, I'll buy more.
Lynn
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
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Post by dottyt on Aug 8, 2016 1:16:25 GMT -5
I sure can't help out with Tommy's question and instead have one of my own. I am only familiar with doublets from reading Antoinette Matlins' books where the emphasis is entirely on buying "fine gemstones." I am wondering if anyone has time to explain to me the use of doublets when it comes to semiprecious and decorative stones? Thanks!
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
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Post by zarguy on Aug 8, 2016 1:24:44 GMT -5
dottyt A doublet is a sandwich of a clear top layer over a thin bottom layer. This is either because the thin layer is expensive, better looking when assembled this way, or to protect a softer stone. Opals fall into all three categories. Other stones can be made as doublets too. Lynn
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
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Post by dottyt on Aug 8, 2016 1:45:21 GMT -5
Thanks, Lynn! I can understand putting a protective and enhancing layer over an opal. Is it commonly done with less precious stones?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 8:46:32 GMT -5
Thanks, Lynn! I can understand putting a protective and enhancing layer over an opal. Is it commonly done with less precious stones? Commercially, yes. Huge quantities of Kyocera opal are slice real thin, coupled with thin quartz sheet and cabbed as such. Opal sold by the carat goes twice as far this way. The stone is protected and the clear cap magnifies the fire inherent in the Opal |
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Aug 8, 2016 10:41:43 GMT -5
Thanks, Lynn! I can understand putting a protective and enhancing layer over an opal. Is it commonly done with less precious stones? There are people here who make very beautiful doublets by putting blues or blacks behind transparent agate etc. I've only worked on one so far - this is my very first attempt and it's not finished yet. I took a very thin slice of red plume agate and backed it with thin black material and it produced a beautiful effect. The picture doesn't do it justice.  The reason I'm looking for clear material is a friend here on the board sent me a thin slice of some very beautiful agate and I want to finally put a backer on it without diluting the color - thus the clear backer. |
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Post by orrum on Aug 8, 2016 14:24:05 GMT -5
Pm Tony. Tommy I have a slab of the artificial quartz, it's thin. How big a piece do u need?
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
Gone Fishing
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Post by Dr DG on Aug 8, 2016 15:41:10 GMT -5
I use spaceship glass for my doublets, works great.
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Aug 8, 2016 15:44:05 GMT -5
Pm Tony. Tommy I have a slab of the artificial quartz, it's thin. How big a piece do u need? Thanks Bill! |
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Aug 8, 2016 15:45:31 GMT -5
I use spaceship glass for my doublets, works great. where does one buy spaceship glass? I worked in the plastic printing industry for the last 27 years - I should have grabbed a couple sheets of 0.060" clear polycarbonate before I retired haha. |
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by Dr DG on Aug 8, 2016 15:55:59 GMT -5
I bought 3 ..... 5 inch cubes for a old rockhound. the glass is 30 to 40 years old.
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