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Post by miket on Jun 6, 2020 22:48:35 GMT -5
I picked this up today and I'm trying to figure out how to slab it...any help, please...   |
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Post by Peruano on Jun 7, 2020 6:01:55 GMT -5
Cut for small slabs (but more of them). That will also ensure that some slabs have lots of red in them. The way I cab, results in big slabs generating waste.
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Post by miket on Jun 7, 2020 7:13:36 GMT -5
Cut for small slabs (but more of them). That will also ensure that some slabs have lots of red in them. The way I cab, results in big slabs generating waste. So are you saying cut the slabs across the smaller width like in the second picture? I don't have a ton of experience with trying to get the best slabs out of a rock and I've never cut one of these- I'm guessing that I'll get better with practice and experience just like anything else. Thanks for the tip. |
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Post by aDave on Jun 7, 2020 14:00:28 GMT -5
miket Judging by the photos of your rock, it looks like most of your banding is going to may be on the periphery of the translucent red. It just depends on what you want to try to pick up with your cuts. I don't see alot of banding in the center of your rock yet, but some of the lighter spots make me wonder if there is some druzy in it. Perhaps a strong backlight to see? There's alot of variety to condors...some are somewhat plain, and some have good banding throughout. I'm adding a quick cell phone photo showing some nodules I cut in half and tumbled. For the most part, these were cut the long way. I don't know if this helps or not, but it does show the variety...from fairly plain to decent banding and druzy centers. 
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Post by miket on Jun 7, 2020 14:31:53 GMT -5
miket Judging by the photos of your rock, it looks like most of your banding is going to may be on the periphery of the translucent red. It just depends on what you want to try to pick up with your cuts. I don't see alot of banding in the center of your rock yet, but some of the lighter spots make me wonder if there is some druzy in it. Perhaps a strong backlight to see? There's alot of variety to condors...some are somewhat plain, and some have good banding throughout. I'm adding a quick cell phone photo showing some nodules I cut in half and tumbled. For the most part, these were cut the long way. I don't know if this helps or not, but it does show the variety...from fairly plain to decent banding and druzy centers. It actually does help, thanks. Kind of like playing the lottery, I just picked one out of the bucket. I've seen them on here before and like them so I figured what the heck. Even if I don't get much banding I think it will make a few decent cabs. Thanks again for the help! |
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Post by Peruano on Jun 8, 2020 14:22:11 GMT -5
The condors I have handled are pricey and spectacular so you don't want to go the wrong way, but then again, there may not be a wrong way for a great rock. No one can really tell you how to cut it without seeing it in person and from all angles. My suggestion was based on the fact that the visible reds were confined to the ends of the long side. Based on what is visible you might not want a slab or slabs with all of the color on each end and a dark monotone in the middle. By cutting on the smaller faces, it may be that you will get 1, 2, 4? slabs with much red and the chance exists that the middle will be less colorful. However if you really have fortifications or complex pattern all through the stone, every cut may be of interest.What we sometime forget is that the pattern in agates like this is three dimensional, and while it may appear to oriented on one face, in fact is may exist in other directions as well. So cut away and enjoy the fun. Cheers. Tom
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Post by miket on Jun 8, 2020 14:40:01 GMT -5
The condors I have handled are pricey and spectacular so you don't want to go the wrong way, but then again, there may not be a wrong way for a great rock. No one can really tell you how to cut it without seeing it in person and from all angles. My suggestion was based on the fact that the visible reds were confined to the ends of the long side. Based on what is visible you might not want a slab or slabs with all of the color on each end and a dark monotone in the middle. By cutting on the smaller faces, it may be that you will get 1, 2, 4? slabs with much red and the chance exists that the middle will be less colorful. However if you really have fortifications or complex pattern all through the stone, every cut may be of interest.What we sometime forget is that the pattern in agates like this is three dimensional, and while it may appear to oriented on one face, in fact is may exist in other directions as well. So cut away and enjoy the fun. Cheers. Tom Thanks Tom, I appreciate it. Yeah, they were charging $10 a pound so I just grabbed a rock and took my chances. I suppose it is hard to say without seeing it in person. I don't think it's spectacular but who's to know? Sometimes life is full of surprises! I'll have fun with it and grab another one of these days- the rock shop is only 25 miles from my house.  I started playing with the end cut last night just to see how these are to work and I did notice that the outer part of these agates is super soft. |
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Post by miket on Jun 10, 2020 12:47:54 GMT -5
I played around with a piece of this last night, I think it will turn out nice...  |
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Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
