that rutilated quartz with 9 lives
May 11, 2019 15:25:43 GMT -5
pauls, hummingbirdstones, and 2 more like this
Post by rockjunquie on May 11, 2019 15:25:43 GMT -5
If you have seen my posts, then you know the rutilated quartz I'm talking about.
It started with an auction gone bad. It almost got returned. I purchased several items that were called slabs. When they arrived one was like 2mm thick. I contacted her and she just said she would give me my money back for everything and she said I could keep it. OK, I'm not arguing. But, some of it was cabbable, so I was happy. I was prepared to send it all back.
Then, I took a piece that would make a very large cab and started working it to see what was in there. I ended up with a large pear. The tip had some imperfections, so I reshaped it.
After I was happy with the new shape, I took it through polishing. It came off the dop on 100k and dropped into the cold water causing a mighty crack. So much for that.
But, being stubborn, I went ahead and cabbed it some more. I ended up with a very nice 24mm freehand round (my best round, yet!).
After all that, I was thinking I would sell it, but I just can't do now. It needs more respect than that, so I decided to wrap it. Wrapping clear stones bugs me because you can see the wire on the back.
I decided to groove wrap it. That seems the best thing to do- with gold, of course.
I had to dig out my grinder which was buried in a cabinet. It just so happened that I have been reorganizing and had decided to get it out for it's new place on a shelf, anyway. Serendipity.
I revisited Drummond Island Rocks Chuck's tutorial and BAM! I remembered that it is better to groove BEFORE you cab. Damn. So, I PMed Chuck to ask him if a 5mm girdle was enough. Being impatient, I didn't wait for an answer. I figured this cab had a destiny and it was up to me to fulfill it. I set up the groover and got to grooving. I took my time and didn't push too hard or go too fast. Soon, I had a nice groovy stone. No disasters. Now to see if it will hold up to a wrap.
Stay tuned...
It started with an auction gone bad. It almost got returned. I purchased several items that were called slabs. When they arrived one was like 2mm thick. I contacted her and she just said she would give me my money back for everything and she said I could keep it. OK, I'm not arguing. But, some of it was cabbable, so I was happy. I was prepared to send it all back.
Then, I took a piece that would make a very large cab and started working it to see what was in there. I ended up with a large pear. The tip had some imperfections, so I reshaped it.
After I was happy with the new shape, I took it through polishing. It came off the dop on 100k and dropped into the cold water causing a mighty crack. So much for that.
But, being stubborn, I went ahead and cabbed it some more. I ended up with a very nice 24mm freehand round (my best round, yet!).
After all that, I was thinking I would sell it, but I just can't do now. It needs more respect than that, so I decided to wrap it. Wrapping clear stones bugs me because you can see the wire on the back.
I decided to groove wrap it. That seems the best thing to do- with gold, of course.
I had to dig out my grinder which was buried in a cabinet. It just so happened that I have been reorganizing and had decided to get it out for it's new place on a shelf, anyway. Serendipity.
I revisited Drummond Island Rocks Chuck's tutorial and BAM! I remembered that it is better to groove BEFORE you cab. Damn. So, I PMed Chuck to ask him if a 5mm girdle was enough. Being impatient, I didn't wait for an answer. I figured this cab had a destiny and it was up to me to fulfill it. I set up the groover and got to grooving. I took my time and didn't push too hard or go too fast. Soon, I had a nice groovy stone. No disasters. Now to see if it will hold up to a wrap.
Stay tuned...
