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Post by killgorelapidary on Nov 20, 2018 12:42:30 GMT -5
Can't figure out what to do with the little surface imperfections. It's mostly different bands/colors meet. Help? Should I leave it? Coat it in epoxy resin and grind/polish it smooth?     |
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AzRockGeek
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2016
Posts: 703
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Post by AzRockGeek on Nov 20, 2018 14:05:49 GMT -5
I always fill them with clear epoxy so that they do not distract from the finished product.
Cool materiel, what is a tube agate?
Tim
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2018 15:01:26 GMT -5
As a buyer, I'd want it without fillers. I don't want or collect plastic or glass filled stones and am disappointed if I later find out such treatments were used and not prominently disclosed.
There are certainly other types of collector, however. Some just want a decorator piece - shiny and as close to a perfect polish as they can get. When I was 12, that is what appealed to me. These usually don't particularly care about the stone itself or whether it is dyed, filled, reconstituted, resin-infused, or even if there is even anything natural under all that. That market is generally amply supplied by factories in Brazil, Mexico, China and South Asia that churn out eggs and spheres by the pallet-load.
Just my viewpoint.
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 20, 2018 15:34:31 GMT -5
sphereguy may have insights into your problem. As far as glues and fillers in spheres and large display pieces, I've never known anyone who doesn't use them when necessary, not to artificially enhance, but to keep them together. If you think there's none in your piece, that means they did it well.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,688
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Post by NRG on Nov 20, 2018 15:48:48 GMT -5
It's actually the anatomy of your stone. Most folks don't notice, but those that do love to here this. It's a natural product and perfection is rare.
I never fill them. I won't finish a sphere the reveals the need "to hold it together".
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Post by killgorelapidary on Nov 20, 2018 16:32:06 GMT -5
Thanks all. I'm partial to the the more natural look, but was wondering if I was alone. I like the little grooves that show off the structure of a real rock. My concern is whether or not normal people will buy them. My wife tells me I have to sell some rocks before I can buy any more rocks.  |
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sphereguy
having dreams about rocks
Hello all I've been lurking for months now
Member since March 2017
Posts: 73 
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Post by sphereguy on Nov 20, 2018 20:28:05 GMT -5
Hello I can entertain you with how I do them. First I have to know if a collector wants a natural stone sphere in its raw form or filled. Some stones look amazing with the voids and imperfections. Some do not. So what I’m saying is if you want them natural keep it that way. If you want or need to fill then fill.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Nov 27, 2018 12:15:54 GMT -5
Ahhhh, the market. Nobody can tell you what will sell in your area. You have to make 'em, and start selling 'em.
You have two paths, minimum, that you can go down. Make and price them as art, or turn them out fast and cheap as pretty things for tourists. Your decision, but there are many, many more people willing to spend $20 than $200... though you have to sell 10 vs 1 for the same income. Problem is you're competing with overseas labor, it's tough. Doing it for profit is probably irrational; no doubt an honest analysis of the time involved will make it clear that you're working for well under minimum wage. (But having fun!)
Thanks for sharing, and please keep us informed of your progress, love what you've done so far!!!
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