RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,640 
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Post by RWA3006 on Aug 21, 2020 20:08:53 GMT -5
I got this nice labradorite from Mark and I've never cut the stuff before. In order to get maximum flash on the flat of a slab do I cut parallel to the plane of the flash? Anything else I ought to know?  |
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Post by MsAli on Aug 21, 2020 21:39:30 GMT -5
Yes, you would cut parallel to the flash.
(I think)
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 21, 2020 22:21:27 GMT -5
Yes, cut parallel. Be aware though that the angles change constantly in that stuff while you're slabbing, so you may have to orient the rough more than once. Definitely check after every slab.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Aug 22, 2020 8:48:43 GMT -5
I inquired about such when I first saw Mark's material posted here last month.........all I was told to do was use a diamond blade.....lol.....So I took a few pieces I all ready had over to my rock buddy's and here's what I was told....:
It's a 6 to 6.5 Mohs Feldspar Some material like those Mark exhibits will flake Cutting parallel will not always promise a flash due to depth and angle of cut Use a thin continuous rim diamond blade. Mike uses a high end trim saw blade made for ceramics only When cutting a slab, a steady even push/pull without interruption works best The thinner the slices, the better. But be prepared for some separation anxiety Use a strong source of concentrated light, focused on the direction of flash while cutting, makes following the trail more visible
Mike only slabs and polishes the most reflective flats with hand tools and a few wheels. His customers take his flats and use very precise jewelers saws and cab equipment for the finer shapes and polishing aspects.
Tumbling this material gives hit or miss results... I've seen Mike's results and he's not really into this aspect....vibrasonic equipment are what his customers use after preformed in mass as beads or ovals for jewelry. For us, less than jewel quality creators, the material cut in smaller size cubes (like dice) and processed in a bowl vibe like we would for Opal, will result in at least a few refractive layers exposed on one or two of the 6 sided cubes........Sorry I don't have pic's of my results, I have yet to accomplish this and still lack the ability to get Opal polished properly in a vibe and I've only tried a couple of times so far..........!.........I'm more than sure those here more accomplished at this will succeed.
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