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Post by sophia13 on Oct 3, 2018 22:09:02 GMT -5
I've been on an obsidian kick lately and purchased some standard black, silver banded?, gold sheen, mahogany, red ribbon and rainbow obsidian. I don't want to ruin it. Anyone have any info on properly slabbing it? I've read cut parallel to the color (with the "grain"), I've read to cut 10 degrees off that and part of me observing the lines of color (especially the ribbons of red) makes me think cutting against the grain would make for colorful cabs. Do I window each side, find the best side and slab from that side? Help please  ........or if an expert wants to come have a slabbing party that's fine too:) |
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 3, 2018 22:29:04 GMT -5
Stones with directional sheen or chatoyance should almost universally be cut slightly off of the grain direction, especially when cut for pendants, then cabbed so that when viewed at chest level with your eyes at a higher level, the color play is visible. Cutting at a right angle may show stripes, but usually there won't be much flash. Personally I struggle with getting a great wet look polish on obsidian, takes lots of patience and extra effort to be sure to remove all previous scratches at each grit stage before moving on to the next.
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Post by sophia13 on Oct 4, 2018 6:37:08 GMT -5
Thank you, leaning towards that slabbing party. Lots to learn but I do love it. |
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Post by orrum on Oct 4, 2018 6:43:04 GMT -5
Have super glue and bandaid when slabbing it. Trust me..LOL. It's a blood sport!!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 4, 2018 9:30:57 GMT -5
I cut a lot of Obsidian.... I usually cut 20-23 degrees off centerline.... Only one cut per piece and you will know which way you have to go with it.. Good luck and most of all have fun...
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zekesman
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2016
Posts: 637
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Post by zekesman on Oct 4, 2018 9:38:21 GMT -5
I've been on an obsidian kick lately and purchased some standard black, silver banded?, gold sheen, mahogany, red ribbon and rainbow obsidian. I don't want to ruin it. Anyone have any info on properly slabbing it? I've read cut parallel to the color (with the "grain"), I've read to cut 10 degrees off that and part of me observing the lines of color (especially the ribbons of red) makes me think cutting against the grain would make for colorful cabs. Do I window each side, find the best side and slab from that side? Help please ........or if an expert wants to come have a slabbing party that's fine too:) No advise on slabbing, but you should have told me you liked obsidian before I sent your box. I have buckets of mahogany and snowflake. Vic |
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Post by stephan on Oct 4, 2018 10:23:44 GMT -5
Stones with directional sheen or chatoyance should almost universally be cut slightly off of the grain direction, especially when cut for pendants, then cabbed so that when viewed at chest level with your eyes at a higher level, the color play is visible. Cutting at a right angle may show stripes, but usually there won't be much flash. Personally I struggle with getting a great wet look polish on obsidian, takes lots of patience and extra effort to be sure to remove all previous scratches at each grit stage before moving on to the next. One thing I have found helps with getting a great final shine on obsidian is the same technique I use for jade. On the final (flat leather) polish, I use 100,000 grit, and as little water as possible, so that the stone can get nice and hot. Even if you don't normally dop or use a nail, do it for this. For one thing, stones are very difficult to hold on to with the leather wheel, but you want it to be do hot to handle.
To do this, I don't actually use the "spitter" that the Genie has. I use a spray bottle of water to moisten the leather, andthen polish the stone until it gets nice and hot. After it does, I use the spray bottle to rinse the built-up grit/leather particles off the stone (get it nice and clean), remoisten the leather and repeat until you have the shine you want.
In terms of cutting, I haven't worked with sheen obsidian, but with the black-silver banded and mahogany, I cut it against or at an angle to the grain to get cool patterns.
Here are some examples. I wish i had photographed more of them:
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Post by sophia13 on Oct 4, 2018 14:08:58 GMT -5
I cut a lot of Obsidian.... I usually cut 20-23 degrees off centerline.... Only one cut per piece and you will know which way you have to go with it.. Good luck and most of all have fun... Off centerline means...... against grain or with please. Sorry, learning terminology. And degrees off meaning an angled cut...correct? Thank you |
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........or if an expert wants to come have a slabbing party that's fine too:)
