rivarat
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 140 
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Post by rivarat on Mar 20, 2019 23:50:16 GMT -5
This year I have committed myself to learn to facet.
Over the years of collecting I have a large amount of quartz, though it looks good cut, the time you put in barely justifies cutting it.
Sapphires at the moment are just frustrating me. Almost polished then the surface pits out.
So I'm on the look out for some different material like peridot, aqua. beryl, sunstone, etc
So if anyone is interested in trading (not a lot of cash to spend at the moment) some of their stash for Australian cabbing material, let me know.
I could trade some sapphires but the judging of faceting rough is a learned skill (I'm still learning)
I'm not sure what I have to offer yet, I'll have to do some sorting out.
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Post by pauls on Mar 22, 2019 15:42:40 GMT -5
For your problem with Faceting Sapphire try the Aussie Lapidary Forum, lots of facetors on there cutting Sapphire.
I can't help with trading faceting material but you might get someone with Topaz or Springsure Labradorite or Moonstone Hill Feldspar, all fairly common, all cut very nicely.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,688
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Post by NRG on Mar 22, 2019 17:00:15 GMT -5
I can't help with material. But ametrine is common from Bolivia and makes nice stones.
Sunstone direct from the plush Oregon mines should be simple.
There is an Arizona peridot guy too. Easily found on the interwebs.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,060
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 28, 2019 14:13:59 GMT -5
This year I have committed myself to learn to facet. Over the years of collecting I have a large amount of quartz, though it looks good cut, the time you put in barely justifies cutting it. Sapphires at the moment are just frustrating me. Almost polished then the surface pits out. So I'm on the look out for some different material like peridot, aqua. beryl, sunstone, etc So if anyone is interested in trading (not a lot of cash to spend at the moment) some of their stash for Australian cabbing material, let me know. I could trade some sapphires but the judging of faceting rough is a learned skill (I'm still learning) I'm not sure what I have to offer yet, I'll have to do some sorting out. Your sapphire problem is a common one. I have the work-around in my notes somewhere but the fastest way for you to solve the problem is by contacting Jon "Gearloose" Rolfe who sells laps just for that purpose: www.gearloose.com/contact.phpContact Jon directly and describe the problem. I'm sure he can help you. As to faceting rough I have quite a bit. Let me know what materials you have to trade and maybe we can work something out. One thing that helps in judging facet rough is immersing it in a liquid close to the stone's R.I. so you can judge inclusions. Wintergreen Oil works with a lot of stones as does benzyl benzoate. If you use the latter be SURE to keep it away from plastics. It eats them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. |
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rivarat
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 140
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Post by rivarat on Mar 28, 2019 20:16:38 GMT -5
Started have a sort out haven't made much progress as yet. Chrysoprase, jade, some agate creek agates, and a local agate and others   ![]() |
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