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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Dec 24, 2020 21:11:32 GMT -5
Robin and I pulled out some "less than perfect" rough chunks the other day. She's wanting to do some carving, and I just hadn't cut any in a while.
Here are two from today. They aren't perfect - some potch and sand spots in the faces. The oval is 21.6 x 10.6 mm.
Sorry for the poor photo. I was about to be late for dinner... .
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 24, 2020 21:22:54 GMT -5
Look at that color!!! drooling
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 24, 2020 23:24:47 GMT -5
Holy smokes those colors really are amazing!!! Especially LOVE the one on the right! Wowza!  |
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Post by stephan on Dec 24, 2020 23:39:41 GMT -5
That blue is nuts!
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Post by miket on Dec 24, 2020 23:47:54 GMT -5
Friggin sweet!
Love these!
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Post by MsAli on Dec 25, 2020 7:50:36 GMT -5
There is beautiful things to be found in the less than perfect
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Dec 25, 2020 8:28:23 GMT -5
How beautiful!
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Dec 25, 2020 9:45:09 GMT -5
Thanks, y'all.
Camera focus was more on fingers than stones, but at least the skin tones show that the colors are right. Took at least four hours to do those two.
- Grind sides for shape. - Grind edges of face to check dome profile possibilities and color. - Repeat first two steps multiple times - trying to keep max size with good shape and enough material for smooth dome. - Grind to smooth dome profile. - Find spots that didn't grind out in dome/face.
- Repeat any/all steps above as needed.
- Grind back to flatten and orient to face of stone.
- Polish (Translation: Give Up / Quit - before the whole d**** thing is mud in the bottom of the pan!)
That is the life of an opal cutter... .
Thanks again. I'm glad you guys liked these two.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Dec 25, 2020 11:06:49 GMT -5
Nice opals, Vince, and your cutting process sounds painfully familiar.
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