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Post by taylor on May 4, 2019 22:09:17 GMT -5
I started a few cabs with the March cab contest in mind, but life got in the way. Now its May! Anyway, I thought I would share the end results. Any tips on how to finish ruby in zoisite would be greatly appreciated.  Dragon Jasper from South Africa (4), Arizona Lizard Stone, Fancy Jasper/Bloodstone, Malachite, and Fancy Jasper/Bloodstone  Ruby in Zoisite The fancy jasper/bloodstone is from a chunk that we picked up at the Rock Shedd last summer. It produced several slices of the orby stuff like above and then transitioned into the standard green with red spots bloodstone. |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 4, 2019 22:18:57 GMT -5
Wow! Haven't seen a couple of those. What is on the far right first picture? They all look great to me. Like the shapes, too.
What was your problem with the Ruby in zoisite? I mean, they look fine.
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Post by taylor on May 4, 2019 22:26:35 GMT -5
Should have titled those. Doh!
As for the Zoisite, I'm not liking the white areas around the ruby. And the surface of the ruby isn't smooth.
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 4, 2019 22:48:48 GMT -5
I really like your greens. The one that I think is the standout winner is the first bloodstone. The transition from light to dark green/black with the pattern disappearing into that murky dark is really something special. That one will go fast.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 4, 2019 22:57:40 GMT -5
The trick to ruby in zoisite and fuchsite is to go real easy on the wheels and never let the ruby touch a hard wheel.
I'm not sure about the white. I've seen it, too. I'm wondering if it is just the nature of the stone or if it's "burned" from trying so hard to polish the ruby. I notice some white on the top of the one on the right, too. I'm wondering if zoisite is fibrous and those are fibers pulling. I'll have to do some research.
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Post by vegasjames on May 4, 2019 23:10:34 GMT -5
I really like the green one on the far right. Looks like frog skin.
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Post by miket on May 5, 2019 7:16:15 GMT -5
Very cool
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 5, 2019 9:37:29 GMT -5
My favorite is the last bloodstone, too. Love those orbs!
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Post by taylor on May 5, 2019 12:07:57 GMT -5
opalpyrexia, @rockjuquie, vegasjames, miket, hummingbirdstones Thank you for the kind words. Aha! No hard wheel on the ruby. Thank you. I work a fair amount of really soft stuff (most recently phosphosiderite) and have developed a soft touch to the wheels so I didn't even consider that would be a problem. Fibers? Could be. In polishing (felt with cerium oxide) the curved lower edge of the one on the left I originally created a large patch of white by working cross grain. Working with the grain got rid of most of it, but adjacent to the ruby that wasn't making sense to me. Yes. My DH promptly claimed it! 
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julieooly
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721 
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Post by julieooly on May 6, 2019 8:35:05 GMT -5
I like the group on the left best!
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Post by fernwood on May 6, 2019 8:56:34 GMT -5
Top row, 3 on right. Wowzers!
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Post by taylor on Jun 5, 2019 23:12:39 GMT -5
Following rockjunquie 's suggestions I went back and reworked the zoisite. Much better...thank you! I took it into the house to show it off and it met with a ceramic tile floor. Rats!  the re-cut  thanks for looking |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jun 5, 2019 23:25:20 GMT -5
The rework on the ruby in zoisite really came out nice! Sucks you dropped the one, but you did a nice save on it.
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Post by taylor on Jun 5, 2019 23:38:38 GMT -5
The rework on the ruby in zoisite really came out nice! Sucks you dropped the one, but you did a nice save on it. Thank you. Much better than the first time around, I think. I was just happy it didn't break through the ruby! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 6, 2019 0:52:48 GMT -5
Looks really good! Glad it worked out for you. Too bad it broke- but it's a small piece, totally fixable. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2019 11:11:43 GMT -5
Good save - especially since it is the one that best shows the ruby's crystal structure!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Jun 6, 2019 16:34:58 GMT -5
Very nice set of cabs, and great save on the ruby piece!
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Jun 6, 2019 16:38:37 GMT -5
The trick to ruby in zoisite and fuchsite is to go real easy on the wheels and never let the ruby touch a hard wheel. This is the kind of pearl you won't find in a textbook, only on RTH. Thanks, Tela! |
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Post by Rockindad on Jun 6, 2019 16:54:37 GMT -5
I actually think the "save" is nicer than the original, great job!
Al
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Post by taylor on Jun 7, 2019 21:47:56 GMT -5
Thank you everyone!
My next question about the zoisite...
What seems like a realistic value?
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