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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 7, 2017 0:47:20 GMT -5
After purchasing a small opal pendant for my wife in 2008, I became fascinated by opal and started cutting in 2009. I also took a few jewelry workshops with a local jeweler, and began making and selling sometime later while I was still working. I'm retired now. I cut mostly opal but have slowly been adding other stones. It's all the fault of that pendant purchase!
I've visited a number of times in the past couple of years, mostly in Home Made Equipment and Metal Smithing. So why join now? I don't know. I know a lot about opal and a fair amount concerning faceted gems, but not very much at all about most cabbing material. This seems like a good place to learn.
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Post by Pat on Mar 7, 2017 0:59:30 GMT -5
Welcome from California. Maybe you can teach something as well.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 7, 2017 9:12:57 GMT -5
Welcome from Ky. Look forward to seeing some photos of that opal work.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,159
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Post by jamesp on Mar 7, 2017 10:17:36 GMT -5
Knew an old timer lapidarian that flew himself and wife to Australia to pick up opals in 'mud balls'. Brought em home and cut gems out of them at great profits. May have been the way he made half his income for 20 years. Maybe you can figure that arrangement out and let us in on it.
Welcome to the forum from Georgia.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 7, 2017 10:42:03 GMT -5
Thanks, all. James, I don't know how many times I've wished that I had started cutting when I was a young guy. Back then, I understand, there was plenty of fine rough opal to be had from Australia. If I can figure out how to make lots of bucks doing this, I'll be happy to share the secret formula!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 7, 2017 10:44:22 GMT -5
Welcome from western Oregon!!!
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Post by roy on Mar 7, 2017 11:14:38 GMT -5
welcome from eastern oregon hope you enjoy our fantastic group
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cabjunky
has rocks in the head
Regency Rose Plume
Member since November 2008
Posts: 683
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Post by cabjunky on Mar 7, 2017 12:06:53 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Utah. There is alot of information on cabbing all types of materials in previous posts. If you can't find the answer than ask, many knowledgeable people here to help.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Mar 7, 2017 12:17:53 GMT -5
Welcome from Cedar City, Utah. I hope you enjoy the folks here. please post pics of your cabs. We love pictures! Lynn
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Mar 7, 2017 21:37:04 GMT -5
Hello, do you know anything about washington petrified wood? I have a very nice slab of petrified wood labeled washington wood, but have not found anything like it? Sorry for the question's, welcome from Colorado,
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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 7, 2017 23:20:42 GMT -5
Well, accidentalrockhound, I am embarrassed to say that I don't know about Washington petrified wood. Or, at least I didn't until you asked the question. Then I found a site that describes its origin. I already knew that millions of years ago, long after the dinosaurs disappeared, Washington was covered in vegetation that supported rhinos, camels and other unusual wildlife. All were wiped out by massive lava flows, including the trees. And that's the source of the petrified wood. Here's the page I found: www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol/washington/state-dinosaur-or-fossil-state-gem-or-gemstone/petrified-wood
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Mar 8, 2017 8:29:53 GMT -5
Thank you sir. The link was interesting, again welcome to "RTH"
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Mar 8, 2017 9:06:19 GMT -5
Thank you sir. The link was interesting, again welcome to "RTH"
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,796
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 8, 2017 17:05:30 GMT -5
Welcome from another long-time opal cutter living in Southern California. You'll find lots of great gem info here.
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Post by drocknut on Mar 8, 2017 17:11:12 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Arizona
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 8, 2017 17:59:52 GMT -5
Welcome from Virginia Beach where there is no opal - or other rocks.
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rodeodan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rodeodan on Mar 10, 2017 10:59:51 GMT -5
Welcome from Surrey, BC
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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 10, 2017 21:00:49 GMT -5
Welcome from another long-time opal cutter living in Southern California. Thank you. Have you posted any tips here on photographing opal? It's always a struggle and, when it's opal jewelry, the opal might look great but not so great for the metal -- or vice versa.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,796
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 10, 2017 23:34:27 GMT -5
Welcome from another long-time opal cutter living in Southern California. Thank you. Have you posted any tips here on photographing opal? It's always a struggle and, when it's opal jewelry, the opal might look great but not so great for the metal -- or vice versa. I know what you're talking about. I've done successful photography of opals & opal jewelry but I don't have any ready suggestions. Seems like I do things differently each time. Let me think about it and I may come back with a few ideas. So much depends on the type of equipment one uses and the kinds of lighting available.
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