dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 11:07:23 GMT -5
I bought a bunch mixed slab ends and broken pieces this summer and this is one I would like to save as much of it as I can. This one is a clear Rutilated quartz looks like it could be a promising cab. But it also has some issues. 1st. Is there are a ton of saw marks on the back that need to be ground away and a little bit of rust stains too they are coming off. 2. I have centered the back with the longest rutile needle in the center of the cab with 2 other long needles on each side of the longest one. I have started to grind the back flat and smooth and the point of the longest needle is starting to come through the rest of the needle is about the thickness of a strand of hair under the surface. Is there any way to prevent this? Thinking of putting a thin layer of 220 epoxy over the the stone just enough to fill the void between the saw marks to finish grinding the back and save the needle. My question is as long as I disclosed this would it be considered a treatment. Using it in jewelry 1.The back 2. The front it to has rust 3. Front wet    |
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 12, 2019 11:28:45 GMT -5
If you put a thicker layer on it, you can sand it until it is all level. Yes, you can do whatever you want to a rock, but you have to disclose it. It will be up to the buyer whether they accept it or not. Keep in mind it should lower the value.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Oct 12, 2019 11:40:37 GMT -5
Another alternative to consider is making it into a doublet if you have suitable backing material. Would a lighter or darker backing make the needles more prominent?
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 11:40:43 GMT -5
If you put a thicker layer on it, you can sand it until it is all level. Yes, you can do whatever you want to a rock, but you have to disclose it. It will be up to the buyer whether they accept it or not. Keep in mind it should lower the value. That's what I thought. Thicker would be easier to work with. That's kinda what I didn't want to do is lower the price. What would you do with it. I am pretty sure if I keep grinding that needle maybe will be history |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 11:43:58 GMT -5
Another alternative to consider is making it into a doublet if you have suitable backing material. Would a lighter or darker backing make the needles more prominent? That's a option too is a closed sterling backing would make a big difference showing off the needles. Makes a big difference against a white background it shows the smaller ones better open don't really show them off. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 12, 2019 11:50:21 GMT -5
If you made a doublet, you would still have to flatten the back, I would think.
I think I would take my chances and grind it flat. If there is nothing much left to look at, that's kinda the thing we live with as lapidaryists (if that's a word). Another thing to consider is how much time (as in time is money) that you want to invest in it. You may never make anything on it if you sink too much time in it.
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 11:51:39 GMT -5
Another alternative to consider is making it into a doublet if you have suitable backing material. Would a lighter or darker backing make the needles more prominent? That's a option too is a closed sterling backing would make a big difference showing off the needles. Makes a big difference against a white background it shows the smaller ones better open don't really show them off. That's the ticket is a closed back it really shows the finer rutile needles that I didn't see before. |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 11:58:11 GMT -5
If you made a doublet, you would still have to flatten the back, I would think.
I think I would take my chances and grind it flat. If there is nothing much left to look at, that's kinda the thing we live with as lapidaryists (if that's a word). Another thing to consider is how much time (as in time is money) that you want to invest in it. You may never make anything on it if you sink too much time in it.
Grinding the back will expose the needle. I think with a closed back it wouldn't really matter as long as it is still there and there's more finer needles that show. I am going to grind away the back flat and no epoxy. Thanks for the input without it I would have not seen the fairy hair with a open back as I was going to use. |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 12:00:45 GMT -5
If you made a doublet, you would still have to flatten the back, I would think.
I think I would take my chances and grind it flat. If there is nothing much left to look at, that's kinda the thing we live with as lapidaryists (if that's a word). Another thing to consider is how much time (as in time is money) that you want to invest in it. You may never make anything on it if you sink too much time in it.
Grinding the back will expose the needle. I think with a closed back it wouldn't really matter as long as it is still there and there's more finer needles that show. I am going to grind away the back flat and no epoxy. Thanks for the input without it I would have not seen the fairy hair with a open back as I was going to use. Thank you guys I needed help opening my eyes. |
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Oct 12, 2019 15:46:29 GMT -5
Rutilated quartz backed with lapis lazuli is popular right now. From my experience making opal doublets I've found that the saw marks -- unless they're really deep -- probably won't show if you use a reasonably thick coating of epoxy 330 for bonding. Black backings also show off rutile needles to good effect. From what I've observed such doublets may actually increase value in some stones.
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dreamrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
I got lucky this morning and was able to post this no others since
Member since November 2018
Posts: 1,232
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 15:51:46 GMT -5
Rutilated quartz backed with lapis lazuli is popular right now. From my experience making opal doublets I've found that the saw marks -- unless they're really deep -- probably won't show if you use a reasonably thick coating of epoxy 330 for bonding. Black backings also show off rutile needles to good effect. From what I've observed such doublets may actually increase value in some stones. Thank you lapis lazuli sounds interesting too |
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dreamrocks
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Member since November 2018
Posts: 1,232
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 16:02:44 GMT -5
Rutilated quartz backed with lapis lazuli is popular right now. From my experience making opal doublets I've found that the saw marks -- unless they're really deep -- probably won't show if you use a reasonably thick coating of epoxy 330 for bonding. Black backings also show off rutile needles to good effect. From what I've observed such doublets may actually increase value in some stones. Thank you lapis lazuli sounds interesting too I just cut it out a few minutes ago and I do believe a dark doublet may work very well on this. Something else I did not notice before but in the center is a cross or double cross. A good polish and a dark background will make this really pop. Need to get some lapis for it now The first don't show it as well But a little further back it does    |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 16:13:18 GMT -5
Thank you lapis lazuli sounds interesting too I just cut it out a few minutes ago and I do believe a dark doublet may work very well on this. Something else I did not notice before but in the center is a cross or double cross. A good polish and a dark background will make this really pop. Need to get some lapis for it now The first don't show it as well But a little further back it does I see what you mean this is purple laguna and it does make those needle come right to front.   |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 16:16:22 GMT -5
I just cut it out a few minutes ago and I do believe a dark doublet may work very well on this. Something else I did not notice before but in the center is a cross or double cross. A good polish and a dark background will make this really pop. Need to get some lapis for it now The first don't show it as well But a little further back it does I see what you mean this is purple laguna and it does make those needle come right to front. It still has most of the saw marks on it and they are pretty fine probably work good for bonding them together. Thanks gemfella I am going to get either lapis or maybe slice a piece of this off |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 12, 2019 16:29:32 GMT -5
I see what you mean this is purple laguna and it does make those needle come right to front. It still has most of the saw marks on it and they are pretty fine probably work good for bonding them together. Thanks gemfella I am going to get either lapis or maybe slice a piece of this off I think to keep cost down where I do not have lapis and try a slab of blue green Maine tourmaline that will keep the price up and maybe look as good as lapis  |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 13, 2019 12:10:03 GMT -5
It still has most of the saw marks on it and they are pretty fine probably work good for bonding them together. Thanks gemfella I am going to get either lapis or maybe slice a piece of this off I think to keep cost down where I do not have lapis and try a slab of blue green Maine tourmaline that will keep the price up and maybe look as good as lapis Bummber the blue green tourmaline is to crumbly. So my runner up stones these were the thinnest and already cut they should be pretty easy to thin down for the back. Not sure if they are dark enough though  |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 13, 2019 12:55:23 GMT -5
I think to keep cost down where I do not have lapis and try a slab of blue green Maine tourmaline that will keep the price up and maybe look as good as lapis Bummber the blue green tourmaline is to crumbly. So my runner up stones these were the thinnest and already cut they should be pretty easy to thin down for the back. Not sure if they are dark enough though You think one of those will work. Looking over chrysoprase from Australia or Arizona the Australia is a little darker |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 13, 2019 12:58:37 GMT -5
Bummber the blue green tourmaline is to crumbly. So my runner up stones these were the thinnest and already cut they should be pretty easy to thin down for the back. Not sure if they are dark enough though You think one of those will work. Looking over chrysoprase from Australia or Arizona the Australia is a little darker Here it is can't make up my mind what will look better working will what I have available  |
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dreamrocks
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Post by dreamrocks on Oct 13, 2019 19:20:13 GMT -5
Rutilated quartz backed with lapis lazuli is popular right now. From my experience making opal doublets I've found that the saw marks -- unless they're really deep -- probably won't show if you use a reasonably thick coating of epoxy 330 for bonding. Black backings also show off rutile needles to good effect. From what I've observed such doublets may actually increase value in some stones. Thank you lapis lazuli sounds interesting too Yup I believe your right about lapis is going to be the answer. This Laguna is not dark enough I hit it first with a 180 all the way across then the 360 to make sure it was flat all the way across. Then tried a black background and it looked much better. There's a lot more rutile needles that seem to make the stone look golden in color. The pieces I cut off was crystal clear and not one needle that in could see so it's not smokey. It's defiantly a learning process for some other pieces that I have light, dark and in between I did gain a Laguna cab out of it until I get lapis I did shape the laguna but not the rutile yet lost track of time today while on the saw I cut a bunch of other stuff instead Ready for tomorrow     |
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 13, 2019 19:34:43 GMT -5
Thank you lapis lazuli sounds interesting too Yup I believe your right about lapis is going to be the answer. This Laguna is not dark enough I hit it first with a 180 all the way across then the 360 to make sure it was flat all the way across. Then tried a black background and it looked much better. There's a lot more rutile needles that seem to make the stone look golden in color. The pieces I cut off was crystal clear and not one needle that in could see so it's not smokey. It's defiantly a learning process for some other pieces that I have light, dark and in between I did gain a Laguna cab out of it until I get lapis I did shape the laguna but not the rutile yet lost track of time today while on the saw I cut a bunch of other stuff instead Ready for tomorrow
That's a nice chunk ya got there.
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