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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 6, 2021 15:05:01 GMT -5
It looks like you did a heck of a job on that one Stephan! Loved the video. I can't imagine trying to capture that chatoyance with a picture! (Love that shape too!  ) |
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Post by stephan on Sept 6, 2021 15:12:35 GMT -5
It looks like you did a heck of a job on that one Stephan! Loved the video. I can't imagine trying to capture that chatoyance with a picture! (Love that shape too! ) Thanks, Jason. It took just the right titer of coffee. Enough to stay motivated, but low enough to keep patience. I thried to get it captured in a still, but it wasn't working to well. I was able to pick up the sheen in a few, but usually that meant the rest of the cab out of focus. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 6, 2021 15:19:14 GMT -5
It looks like you did a heck of a job on that one Stephan! Loved the video. I can't imagine trying to capture that chatoyance with a picture! (Love that shape too! ) Thanks, Jason. It took just the right titer of coffee. Enough to stay motivated, but low enough to keep patience. I thried to get it captured in a still, but it wasn't working to well. I was able to pick up the sheen in a few, but usually that meant the rest of the cab out of focus. I'm ok with a French Vanilla latte with two espresso shots...then I'm good to go...or is it go-go-go-go-go-go-go-go! LOL |
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Post by stephan on Sept 6, 2021 15:37:26 GMT -5
Thanks, Jason. It took just the right titer of coffee. Enough to stay motivated, but low enough to keep patience. I thried to get it captured in a still, but it wasn't working to well. I was able to pick up the sheen in a few, but usually that meant the rest of the cab out of focus. I'm ok with a French Vanilla latte with two espresso shots...then I'm good to go...or is it go-go-go-go-go-go-go-go! LOL Straight up double espresso for me... no milk to slow it down. Then some black tea to maintain that titer. |
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Post by stephan on Sept 6, 2021 15:40:23 GMT -5
Another piece made from the Flor de Durazno I received from jasoninsd :  DSC_0305_Flor de Durazno lace agate by Stephan T., on Flickr I ground the matrix closer this time, to avoid the punkiness, just give it some contrast. It's really just a couple of mm of pure matrix, then a mix of agate and matrix, which is much more stable. To be duplicated in the Mexican agates thread |
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Post by stephan on Sept 7, 2021 11:35:39 GMT -5
One more... a Prairie agate uncovered from a heel cut that was part of a box o' goodies from jasoninsd DSC_0330_Prairie agate freeform by Stephan T., on Flickr I really like these Prairie agates, but there's something really cool about these gray and yellow ones. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 7, 2021 17:59:03 GMT -5
One more... a Prairie agate uncovered from a heel cut that was part of a box o' goodies from jasoninsd DSC_0330_Prairie agate freeform by Stephan T., on Flickr I really like these Prairie agates, but there's something really cool about these gray and yellow ones. Those are probably my favorite Prairie Agate type. I believe it's chert...I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm wrong on that. The reason I think they're chert, is they're SO similar to the Ohio Filnt. I'll have to see if I can dig up a few "proper" pieces for you rather than just a heel cut. |
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Post by stephan on Sept 7, 2021 18:24:37 GMT -5
One more... a Prairie agate uncovered from a heel cut that was part of a box o' goodies from jasoninsd DSC_0330_Prairie agate freeform by Stephan T., on Flickr I really like these Prairie agates, but there's something really cool about these gray and yellow ones. Those are probably my favorite Prairie Agate type. I believe it's chert...I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm wrong on that. The reason I think they're chert, is they're SO similar to the Ohio Filnt. I'll have to see if I can dig up a few "proper" pieces for you rather than just a heel cut. They just violate the "if you like it it's jasper, if you don't like it, it's chert" rule, is all. I think that one is pretty hard and fast.  |
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Post by stephan on Oct 4, 2021 16:15:11 GMT -5
I knocked out a few this past weekend. I haven't yet bought an aquarium pump to bypass the Genie pump (at least as a temporary solution), so I cabbed with one hand and used a squirt bottle with the other. Not the fastest way to go, but it works. I made three: Peanut obsidian from holajonathan :  DSC_0542_Peanut obsidian shield cabochon by Stephan T., on Flickr Very slight under-cutting, just like what Jonathan reported, but nothing that dramatically impacts the final results. I think I like this stuff a lot. Botswana agate from jasoninsd :  DSC_0575_Botswana agate free-form by Stephan T., on Flickr This one looks almost landscapy, in an abstract way. How can you not love Botswana agate? " Oakland Raiders" obsidian that's been floating around for a bit, waiting to be cabbed:  DSC_0587_"Oakland Raiders" obsidian cabochon by Stephan T., on Flickr This material has some recalcitrant scratches, kind of like what Jason was battling. I definitely behaved differently from mahogany obsidian, where I usually have no problems at all. All need a final polish, as soon as I figure out WTF I did with my leather pad. I really put it in a safe place this time. I really could hide my own Easter Eggs. Sheesh. |
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Post by holajonathan on Oct 4, 2021 18:15:07 GMT -5
I knocked out a few this past weekend. I haven't yet bought an aquarium pump to bypass the Genie pump (at least as a temporary solution), so I cabbed with one hand and used a squirt bottle with the other. Not the fastest way to go, but it works. I made three: Peanut obsidian from holajonathan : DSC_0542_Peanut obsidian shield cabochon by Stephan T., on Flickr Very slight under-cutting, just like what Jonathan reported, but nothing that dramatically impacts the final results. I think I like this stuff a lot. Nice composition on the peanut obsidian. Having so many orbs actually makes composition harder. It looks like it took a decent shine as well -- about what I've gotten from the material. It sounds like your take on this odd-ball peanut obsidian is the same a mine: the brown spots and soft spots in the perlite inevitably undercut a little, but it doesn't take much away from the aesthetics since the orbs are so distracting (in a good way). Your well worn wheels may have helped you with this material. Putting aside the brown spots which are particularly soft, the black perlite is also a lot softer than the orbs. With my newer, more aggressive wheels, it is very easy for all of the perlite to undercut relative to the orbs. It doesn't look like you had that problem. |
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Post by holajonathan on Oct 4, 2021 18:19:40 GMT -5
Just noticed that your post from a week weeks ago was a video. That stuff sure is pretty. I've got a medium flat rate of 2"-3" mahogany obsidian that is supposedly chatoyant. I say supposedly because I can really see it now, but some sheen obsidian really does hide its shine until polished. The stuff I've got has more black and less mahogany than your cab, but if it turns out to actually be chatoyant, I'll be happy to share some slablets in the future. |
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Post by holajonathan on Oct 4, 2021 18:28:51 GMT -5
stephanHere's the stuff I got. Came from Utah, I think. I got a medium flat rate box full of it for around $40, so a decent price as well.  Upon closer inspection, it is definitely gold sheen.  Similar to your can, with 50% less mahogany.
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Post by stephan on Oct 4, 2021 18:42:28 GMT -5
I knocked out a few this past weekend. I haven't yet bought an aquarium pump to bypass the Genie pump (at least as a temporary solution), so I cabbed with one hand and used a squirt bottle with the other. Not the fastest way to go, but it works. I made three: Peanut obsidian from holajonathan : DSC_0542_Peanut obsidian shield cabochon by Stephan T., on Flickr Very slight under-cutting, just like what Jonathan reported, but nothing that dramatically impacts the final results. I think I like this stuff a lot. Nice composition on the peanut obsidian. Having so many orbs actually makes composition harder. It looks like it took a decent shine as well -- about what I've gotten from the material. It sounds like your take on this odd-ball peanut obsidian is the same a mine: the brown spots and soft spots in the perlite inevitably undercut a little, but it doesn't take much away from the aesthetics since the orbs are so distracting (in a good way). Your well worn wheels may have helped you with this material. Putting aside the brown spots which are particularly soft, the black perlite is also a lot softer than the orbs. With my newer, more aggressive wheels, it is very easy for all of the perlite to undercut relative to the orbs. It doesn't look like you had that problem. Thanks. I broke this piece off along one of the weaker fracture lines by flexing the slab. I'd like to take all the credit for the composition, but listening to the rock had a lot to do with. Yup, we have about the same take, and people that have seen it are gaga. I think this may sell easily when I participate in a little local craft/street fair this coming weekend. I think the minor undercutting distract very little, and people who are not lapidaries probably won't notice it at all. My wheels are pretty good for obsidian and jade at the moment. Hard agates take a while, but get there eventually, too. |
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Post by stephan on Oct 4, 2021 18:48:19 GMT -5
Just noticed that your post from a week weeks ago was a video. That stuff sure is pretty. I've got a medium flat rate of 2"-3" mahogany obsidian that is supposedly chatoyant. I say supposedly because I can really see it now, but some sheen obsidian really does hide its shine until polished. The stuff I've got has more black and less mahogany than your cab, but if it turns out to actually be chatoyant, I'll be happy to share some slablets in the future. Funny thing is, I just picked this up out of a pile of scrap at the club, years ago and didn't get around to cabbing it until recently. I didn't even notice the sheen until I had it most of the way done, examining it for scratches. That box of yours definitely looks like nice stuff. Collecting Utah or just mailed from there? I know they have some, but I've usually heard of sheen obsidian coming from Oregon or Mexico. Go figure. I'll be looking forward to seeing how it slabs. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 4, 2021 19:17:19 GMT -5
I knocked out a few this past weekend. I haven't yet bought an aquarium pump to bypass the Genie pump (at least as a temporary solution), so I cabbed with one hand and used a squirt bottle with the other. Not the fastest way to go, but it works. I made three: Peanut obsidian from holajonathan : DSC_0542_Peanut obsidian shield cabochon by Stephan T., on Flickr Very slight under-cutting, just like what Jonathan reported, but nothing that dramatically impacts the final results. I think I like this stuff a lot. Botswana agate from jasoninsd : DSC_0575_Botswana agate free-form by Stephan T., on Flickr This one looks almost landscapy, in an abstract way. How can you not love Botswana agate? " Oakland Raiders" obsidian that's been floating around for a bit, waiting to be cabbed: DSC_0587_"Oakland Raiders" obsidian cabochon by Stephan T., on Flickr This material has some recalcitrant scratches, kind of like what Jason was battling. I definitely behaved differently from mahogany obsidian, where I usually have no problems at all. All need a final polish, as soon as I figure out WTF I did with my leather pad. I really put it in a safe place this time. I really could hide my own Easter Eggs. Sheesh. Not too darn bad for someone not used to cabbing one-handed! I really like all of them. Sorry you encountered the "obsidian curse"! |
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Post by stephan on Oct 5, 2021 1:00:27 GMT -5
I knocked out a few this past weekend. I haven't yet bought an aquarium pump to bypass the Genie pump (at least as a temporary solution), so I cabbed with one hand and used a squirt bottle with the other. Not the fastest way to go, but it works. I made three: Peanut obsidian from holajonathan : DSC_0542_Peanut obsidian shield cabochon by Stephan T., on Flickr Very slight under-cutting, just like what Jonathan reported, but nothing that dramatically impacts the final results. I think I like this stuff a lot. Botswana agate from jasoninsd : DSC_0575_Botswana agate free-form by Stephan T., on Flickr This one looks almost landscapy, in an abstract way. How can you not love Botswana agate? " Oakland Raiders" obsidian that's been floating around for a bit, waiting to be cabbed: DSC_0587_"Oakland Raiders" obsidian cabochon by Stephan T., on Flickr This material has some recalcitrant scratches, kind of like what Jason was battling. I definitely behaved differently from mahogany obsidian, where I usually have no problems at all. All need a final polish, as soon as I figure out WTF I did with my leather pad. I really put it in a safe place this time. I really could hide my own Easter Eggs. Sheesh. Not too darn bad for someone not used to cabbing one-handed! I really like all of them. Sorry you encountered the "obsidian curse"! Thank you, sir. |
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Post by stephan on Oct 11, 2021 17:10:09 GMT -5
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Post by holajonathan on Oct 11, 2021 20:14:40 GMT -5
stephanThe prairie agates are towards the top of my under-appreciated rocks list. They are usually very solid, polish very well, and have subtle but pleasing designs and colors. I think they are overlooked, in part, because the raw material is so common. I have read that it is not uncommon to come across hundreds if not thousands of pounds of them in old collections. As for your peanut obsidian rescue cab, there is something vaguely anatomical going on at the top with those two bigs orbs. I'm not the type who sees genitals in every rorschach test, but there's something about your cab... Finally, a nice little capture on the TeePee Canyon. When the good banding is small, I'm all for making a small cab that frames the good banding and does nothing more.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 11, 2021 20:30:08 GMT -5
Fantastic rescues all around Stephan! Of course I love the Teepee Canyon...especially those small white specks throughout the fortifications! I really love that Prairie Agate! I can't believe I parted with that! LOL - Just teasing! I really like those subtle "pastel-like" colors in that cab! |
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Post by stephan on Oct 11, 2021 23:18:21 GMT -5
stephan The prairie agates are towards the top of my under-appreciated rocks list. They are usually very solid, polish very well, and have subtle but pleasing designs and colors. I think they are overlooked, in part, because the raw material is so common. I have read that it is not uncommon to come across hundreds if not thousands of pounds of them in old collections. As for your peanut obsidian rescue cab, there is something vaguely anatomical going on at the top with those two bigs orbs. I'm not the type who sees genitals in every rorschach test, but there's something about your cab... Finally, a nice little capture on the TeePee Canyon. When the good banding is small, I'm all for making a small cab that frames the good banding and does nothing more. I agree 100% on the Prairie agates. Until recently, I really didn’t think much about them. A few of jasoninsd’s cabs piqued my interest. Then, when he sent me some, and I got to work with the material, my appreciation rose to where it’s actually in my top 10 favorites (okay, there’s probably 20 in my top 10, on a rotating basis, but this stays near the top, since I haven’t had any broken cabs, the hardness is consistent…). Oh, my. I did not see that at all, but now I can’t unsee it. The peanut structure is, indeed, quite similar to the internal structure of… well, let’s keep it G-rated. Yup. In that cab, the fortifications are definitely the focus. |
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Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
