it came

lotarocks445 starting to spend too much on rocks Member since August 2005 Posts: 100	it came Sept 21, 2005 18:49:42 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by lotarocks445 on Sept 21, 2005 18:49:42 GMT -5 i got my fire agate today from colorwright any suggestions where to start

docone31
still telling self it's just a hobby

Member since June 2003
Posts: 4,476

it came Sept 21, 2005 21:21:31 GMT -5

Quote

Post by docone31 on Sept 21, 2005 21:21:31 GMT -5

Yeah. With fire agate, the fire is layer specific. Proceed slowly.
If it were me, I would start with 600 mesh on the first wheel. Observe the nodules for fire, and clarity. If a window shows classic fire, stop grinding! Go to 1200 and work out the scratches from the 600. If the fire shows real well when wetted, slowly open up the window untill you have a good dome.
Fire agate has nodules that are actually layers, cutting too deeply can eliminate a complete layer. If that happens, go back to 600 and rough down to the next layer, opening up the window slowly.
I would reccomend using the worst piece, or another type of agate to get the feel of grinding that way. It is different than cutting a calibrated cab. Most fire agates are flat on the dome, or really oval. The nodules dictate the grinding. I use cerium oxide for final polish. I use 1200 mesh, then 3600, then cerium oxide.
After cutting the fire, then shape the cab. In fire agates the more fire, the more precious. With most fire agates, the piece of jewelery is made for the stone, rather than cutting the stone for the setting.
Fire agates are wonderful, and in the right setting they are magnificant.
Good luck.

In the beginning was the Floyd, and the Floyd was with Him, and He was with the Floyd. Syd Barret just disappeared, right after the happening. Lita Ford drives a suburban! Big Hair Heavy Metal is dead. Oh weeping and gnashing of teeth, the end is near. The answer is 42. 42! BING! BIG BING!
Follow the White Rabbit!

lotarocks445 starting to spend too much on rocks Member since August 2005 Posts: 100	it came Sept 21, 2005 22:19:03 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by lotarocks445 on Sept 21, 2005 22:19:03 GMT -5 thanks for the advise i love fire agate. ill post pix when im done

stefan Cave Dweller Member since January 2005 Posts: 14,113	it came Sept 22, 2005 12:26:29 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stefan on Sept 22, 2005 12:26:29 GMT -5 cool- Like Doc said work slowly- If you've ever worked Boulder opal its kinda similiar- THe trick is to recognize the fire before your thru it! Stop often and inspect- Oh and bright light helps alot!
	I can't tell if thats some Gneiss Schist, or that Schist is Gneiss. All I know is don't take it for Granite

lotarocks445 starting to spend too much on rocks Member since August 2005 Posts: 100	it came Sept 22, 2005 21:06:15 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by lotarocks445 on Sept 22, 2005 21:06:15 GMT -5 here is a couple of ring size fire agate that i worked on today

lotarocks445 starting to spend too much on rocks Member since August 2005 Posts: 100	it came Sept 22, 2005 21:07:10 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by lotarocks445 on Sept 22, 2005 21:07:10 GMT -5

rockds still telling self it's just a hobby Member since September 2005 Posts: 4,130	it came Sept 22, 2005 21:15:08 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rockds on Sept 22, 2005 21:15:08 GMT -5 they look nice from what I can tell. More focus would be better. Where did u get them?
	Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand. Ignorance and Prejudice and fear walk hand-in-hand.

deepsouth fully equipped rock polisher He who rocks last rocks best Member since January 2004 Posts: 1,256	it came Sept 23, 2005 3:58:32 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by deepsouth on Sept 23, 2005 3:58:32 GMT -5 Wow , never seen anything like it , thanks for showing Jack

Cher In Memoriam Tumbling is addictive - Resistance is futile - You will be assimilated Member since August 2004 Posts: 14,072	it came Sept 23, 2005 8:32:04 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Cher on Sept 23, 2005 8:32:04 GMT -5 Looks like some nice fire in them.
	The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done. George Carlin

stefan Cave Dweller Member since January 2005 Posts: 14,113	it came Sept 23, 2005 9:59:28 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stefan on Sept 23, 2005 9:59:28 GMT -5 You got it- Looks like you nailed those ! Nice job
	I can't tell if thats some Gneiss Schist, or that Schist is Gneiss. All I know is don't take it for Granite

Tweetiepy gets rocks for Christmas Always looking in the wrong places... Member since January 2005 Posts: 5,421	it came Sept 23, 2005 17:22:14 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tweetiepy on Sept 23, 2005 17:22:14 GMT -5 WOW those are fantastic - How come Stefan took those pictures for you hehe

littlejimie starting to spend too much on rocks A rolling stone gathers no moss Member since January 2005 Posts: 170	it came Sept 23, 2005 19:48:52 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by littlejimie on Sept 23, 2005 19:48:52 GMT -5 Great looking piece of fire agate! Excellent!

parfive no longer being taken for granite Member since August 2005 Posts: 9,612	it came Sept 23, 2005 21:17:53 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by parfive on Sept 23, 2005 21:17:53 GMT -5 Looks like Stefan's been gettin' his stones tumbled all over this site today.
	Consider the Earth’s history as the old measure of the English yard, the distance from the King’s nose to the tip of his outstretched hand. One stroke of a nail file on his middle finger erases human history. John McPhee - Basin and Range

fatrichie has rocks in the head Member since July 2004 Posts: 651	it came Sept 24, 2005 0:40:01 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fatrichie on Sept 24, 2005 0:40:01 GMT -5 I just won an EBAY auction for a pound of fire agate rough from Amys natural gems. I'll post some pics when it arrives.

stefan Cave Dweller Member since January 2005 Posts: 14,113	it came Sept 27, 2005 10:35:30 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stefan on Sept 27, 2005 10:35:30 GMT -5 What the heck- Pick on Stefan day- dang it I leave for a few days and my name and quality work is trashed all up and down this board- SHame on all of you- Good thing I have a thick skin (and head too!)
	I can't tell if thats some Gneiss Schist, or that Schist is Gneiss. All I know is don't take it for Granite

Tweetiepy gets rocks for Christmas Always looking in the wrong places... Member since January 2005 Posts: 5,421	it came Sept 27, 2005 17:33:24 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tweetiepy on Sept 27, 2005 17:33:24 GMT -5 Stefan you're about to be "Godlike" we have to harp on you before you get that status and crush us all to smithereens! - Your work is awesome, it's your past photographic efforts that are, um, being debated!

stefan Cave Dweller Member since January 2005 Posts: 14,113	it came Sept 28, 2005 12:35:24 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stefan on Sept 28, 2005 12:35:24 GMT -5 Me GOd like? NO WAY How many posts to do that???
	I can't tell if thats some Gneiss Schist, or that Schist is Gneiss. All I know is don't take it for Granite

LCARS
has started giving rock gifts

Keep Rollin'!

Member since September 2005
Posts: 3,839

it came Sept 28, 2005 12:50:48 GMT -5

Quote

Post by LCARS on Sept 28, 2005 12:50:48 GMT -5

Most digital cameras have a close-up or macro mode that you need to activate to get close-up photos to focus properly.

Simple point & shoot mode doesn't always yeild the sharpest results since the camera has to be "told" what you are going for when taking a photo in order to automatically adjust to the shooting conditions.

The photos above look like the cameras attempt to ignore what's right in front of it in favor of what it "thinks" you are trying to take a photo of (the back ground). Check the camera manual for the proper close-up shooting mode to use & observe the closest focal distance rule for your lens. Not every camera can get a sharp image closer that 8" from the subject. In that case it's better to shoot it from 12" away using the larger picture size & crop out your subject after.

In addition to being a rock hound (amoung other things) I am also an ametuer photographer.

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Tweetiepy
gets rocks for Christmas

Always looking in the wrong places...

Member since January 2005
Posts: 5,421

it came Sept 28, 2005 13:45:37 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Tweetiepy on Sept 28, 2005 13:45:37 GMT -5

Some nameless rockhounds *cough* *Stefan* use a tripod to prevent camera shake (which is an excellent idea!) but then set up the tripod on the table where the tumbler is tumbling and vibrating and blame camera or batteries for blurry pictures.

;D

*runs off before said nameless rockhound whips out ruby slippers & cries out in best Auntie Em voice "Dang you Tweetie, may you rot in Hell!"*

yeahda1 starting to spend too much on rocks Member since August 2005 Posts: 201	it came Sept 28, 2005 15:47:16 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by yeahda1 on Sept 28, 2005 15:47:16 GMT -5 fire agate is fantastic, like was said go slow and have patients, if you don't what you have is a little more experiance and another stone for the driveway lol