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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 15, 2020 16:12:49 GMT -5
A while back I purchased a Laguna slab and was immediately drawn to a notch loaded with crystals. After cutting it, I let it sit for a couple of weeks before coming up with a pendant design. And then ................
While soldering up the silver, I placed the pendant in a plastic bag on my woodworking bench. At some point it slid off the messy bench and onto the concrete floor. I examined it in the bag and it looked just fine, so I finished soldering for the day. The next day, when it came time to set the agate, I removed it from the bag and discovered this heartache —
"Aw, <expletive>!"
After I calming down over an hour, I reluctantly resorted to 330 epoxy and then, of course, there was no turning back. The agate is paired with a 5mm rubellite tourmaline on the "halo" above:
There wasn't supposed to be any texturing on the tourmaline's halo, but an extremely tiny piece of solder managed to find its way up there and leave a little bump. I think that the sparkle of the texture seems to "flow from" the druzy crystals. There was also a little firestain that would have been very difficult to remove. Hiding is so much easier.
To add to my headache, the tourmaline had a little rattle — something I've never had happen. So I really hammered hard on it to set it tight, even to the point of bending the halo silver ...... but no luck. After straightening the halo ("Thanks, parallel pliers!") I used a trick to tighten the setting. Using a fine point knife graver, I raised a couple of stitches of silver from inside the back of the tube setting to press up onto the back of the stone. Success!
Dual hidden bails have become my go-to method for many pendants —
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Post by fernwood on Mar 15, 2020 16:18:24 GMT -5
What a beautiful adaptation. I love it. Cannot see any indication that it was glued together. I also love the sparkle effect on the halo.
I nominate this piece for the "recovery" of the year.
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Post by Pat on Mar 15, 2020 16:25:56 GMT -5
Excellent class in recovery!! Beautiful piece! Thanks.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 15, 2020 16:31:15 GMT -5
Before I read that the halo glitter was a boo boo, I was like- Great idea and excellent job. Looks perfect. Persistence paid off in a beautiful piece. I love it.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 15, 2020 16:33:21 GMT -5
Despite all of the challenges you had on this piece, it came out marvelous!
Thanks for all the pictures and describing your processes. I really like the textured top. I've resorted to that trick a few times myself.
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Post by beefjello on Mar 15, 2020 17:08:22 GMT -5
Nice save on the fracture, and wow what a magnificent piece all around!!
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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 15, 2020 17:19:42 GMT -5
Thank you all for your nice comments!
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Post by opalpyrexia on Mar 15, 2020 17:21:33 GMT -5
Before I read that the halo glitter was a boo boo, I was like- Great idea and excellent job. Looks perfect. Persistence paid off in a beautiful piece. I love it.
Thanks, I like the way it turned out, too.
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jasperfanatic
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 456
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Post by jasperfanatic on Mar 15, 2020 17:39:09 GMT -5
If I believed in that sort of thing, I'd say it was all meant to be in order for it to turn out so fantastic! Great job!
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Post by mohs on Mar 15, 2020 18:32:13 GMT -5
right on Pal!
the poxy fix seamless and beatiful know that heartache often ha
a duzy of a fine pendant !
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Post by MsAli on Mar 15, 2020 18:52:52 GMT -5
You probably couldn't of done a better job if you were trying to do all of that on purpose
And as Kevin pointed out it turned out exactly how it was meant to -(like everything does)
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Post by toiv0 on Mar 15, 2020 19:27:51 GMT -5
Whew, AMEN!
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Post by knave on Mar 15, 2020 19:56:54 GMT -5
You tell em Brother Billy
Wonderful piece!
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Post by RocksInNJ on Mar 15, 2020 22:52:27 GMT -5
Glad it all worked out for you. You did a fine job.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,728
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 16, 2020 0:10:19 GMT -5
A very classy result. I like the texturing, which I think adds a desirable complexity to the piece. Nice work.
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Mar 18, 2020 11:01:59 GMT -5
Beautiful save! The tourmaline really finishes it off nicely.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Mar 18, 2020 17:12:51 GMT -5
Turned out beautiful. Nice design and execution.
Chuck
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Post by lpl on Mar 19, 2020 11:52:02 GMT -5
That is a beautiful piece!
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Post by miket on Mar 19, 2020 12:38:50 GMT -5
I missed this post, glad it got a bump. That one is spectacular, love it!
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raqy
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 799
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Post by raqy on Apr 20, 2020 23:19:11 GMT -5
Everything happens for a reason... this piece is exquisite.
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