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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2021 2:09:31 GMT -5
This batch of cabs I finished up today didn't leave me feeling all "warm and fuzzy". It seemed like each one of these was "sub-par" with regards to how I expected (or wanted) them to turn out... I messed around with cropping the pics, so I don't know if they'll turn out when I post them... - Mexican Lace Agate (Crazy Lace): This material is so full of micro-fractures it's almost ridiculous. The fortifications in some areas aren't strong. You can see the "holes" in that first cab that didn't show up until halfway through the rough grind. The second one with the druzy turned out ok... - Picasso Marble Stone: This material is really heartbreaking for me. I love the patterns, but no matter what I try, I can't get a "gloss" finish. The surface seems to undercut/orange peel no matter what. These do however have the highest shine I think I've got with this material... - Dino Bone: I bought this a long time ago as Dino Bone...but I've seen some Whale Bone that looks identical, so now I'm not sure which it is. This is another material that shows "texture" to the surface rather than a smooth glossy finish... - Ocean Jasper: I received this as Ocean Jasper, but I believe it is Kambaby Ocean Jasper. It's another material that I thought would have a glass-like surface and finish, but it doesn't. There were a couple pits that showed up...one right on the edge of the dome. Anyway...that's the "work" from today and yesterday. Thanks for taking a gander.          |
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Post by holajonathan on Nov 12, 2021 3:24:37 GMT -5
jasoninsdI bet that first crazy lace cab looks a lot better in person at a normal viewing distance. The close ups we post show every little crack or flaw, which are usually much less noticeable with the cab in the palm of your hand, and not noticeable at all from 3 or 4 feet away. I like both the crazy lace cabs. Your first Picasso marble looks real shiny. I think that's about as good as it gets for this material. I've never seen Picasso marble with an agate-like shine, have you? The dino bone is my favorite and looks real solid. As for the OJ, I can't afford the amazing old stock stuff, and I've never cabbed the more recently mined material (like your cab) because it seems like everyone complains about it. With that said, it does have some cool orbs.
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 12, 2021 7:33:27 GMT -5
Yeah, Picasso jasper doesn't polish well. I don't mind the finish, though and like the material. I like yours, too.
The kambaby can be difficult, but a lot of it will polish like a hard jasper. It's actually a rhyolite, like OJ. Don't give up on it. It's an affordable alternative to OJ.
The crazy lace has a cool muted pastely look that I like. I don't mind the micro fractures if it's solid.
All in all, looks fine.  |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
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Post by Brian on Nov 12, 2021 8:52:13 GMT -5
That dino bone looks great! I actually like that you can see the cellular structure in it. It makes it look more organic than if it was totally smooth and glassy.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 12, 2021 9:21:26 GMT -5
Microfractures suck. Nothing you can do about it if the material is fractured, though. Picasso is one of those materials that never takes a spectacular shine, but you did a good job on it. I really like the dino bone. I think your OJ is really OJ, just the new stuff they're pulling out. In my opinion it doesn't come close to the original OJ and it's not my favorite material.
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Post by miket on Nov 12, 2021 10:38:28 GMT -5
I think they look nice, you definitely did a good job with what you had to work with! I like the gembone the best...and I too am guessing that they all look great at a normal viewing distance. |
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lunker
Cave Dweller 
Member since April 2021
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Post by lunker on Nov 12, 2021 14:01:15 GMT -5
Those are awesome. You are so good a showcasing the beauty of the material.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,160
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Post by dshanpnw on Nov 12, 2021 17:36:44 GMT -5
I like the OJ, it's great! The crazy lace is very nice too even with the little fractures. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2021 19:28:25 GMT -5
jasoninsd I bet that first crazy lace cab looks a lot better in person at a normal viewing distance. The close ups we post show every little crack or flaw, which are usually much less noticeable with the cab in the palm of your hand, and not noticeable at all from 3 or 4 feet away. I like both the crazy lace cabs. Your first Picasso marble looks real shiny. I think that's about as good as it gets for this material. I've never seen Picasso marble with an agate-like shine, have you? The dino bone is my favorite and looks real solid. As for the OJ, I can't afford the amazing old stock stuff, and I've never cabbed the more recently mined material (like your cab) because it seems like everyone complains about it. With that said, it does have some cool orbs. Thanks Jonathan! That first CL does look better in person...I do like the pattern in it. I know Gary gets some unbelievable shine on his Picasso Marble, but I do believe it's a different type of Picasso Marble - or at least from a different location. That OJ does have some nice orbs...I will say that! LOL Yeah, Picasso jasper doesn't polish well. I don't mind the finish, though and like the material. I like yours, too.
The kambaby can be difficult, but a lot of it will polish like a hard jasper. It's actually a rhyolite, like OJ. Don't give up on it. It's an affordable alternative to OJ.
The crazy lace has a cool muted pastely look that I like. I don't mind the micro fractures if it's solid.
All in all, looks fine. Thanks Tela! Without looking it up, I figured that Kambaby was a rhyolite just from the way it was reacting. I agree as far as the micro-fractures...but chunks are "falling off" with a bunch of pieces - it happened again this morning on another one. LOL That dino bone looks great! I actually like that you can see the cellular structure in it. It makes it look more organic than if it was totally smooth and glassy. Thanks Brian! I usually don't mind the cellular "look" to the surface of some materials...it was one of the moments where I felt like none of the cabs was going right, so I looked at it as another negative yesterday. Today's a new day...so it is what it is today! LOL Microfractures suck. Nothing you can do about it if the material is fractured, though. Picasso is one of those materials that never takes a spectacular shine, but you did a good job on it. I really like the dino bone. I think your OJ is really OJ, just the new stuff they're pulling out. In my opinion it doesn't come close to the original OJ and it's not my favorite material. Thanks Robin! One of these days I might luck out and run across some old-school OJ that someone doesn't know what they have and are selling it for $2 a slab! LOL (That's like "planning" on winning the lottery! LOL) I think they look nice, you definitely did a good job with what you had to work with! I like the gembone the best...and I too am guessing that they all look great at a normal viewing distance. Thanks my friend! I'm not sure I have a favorite out of this batch. Usually one or two stands out in a batch...but this one I think they're all equally "ok"! LOL Those are awesome. You are so good a showcasing the beauty of the material. Thanks Lunk! That really makes me feel a lot more positive about this batch...so very seriously, thank you. I like the OJ, it's great! The crazy lace is very nice too even with the little fractures. Thanks for sharing. Thank you so much! My wife looked at that OJ...turned it on its side and immediately said "It looks like a fish!" - Which, after I looked at it, I did kind of agreed. LOL |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 12, 2021 19:55:22 GMT -5
jasoninsd A really nice batch. I think your material is real dino bone. I've gathered and cut a lot of whale bone from CA beaches and it can be a bit similar but your cab has that "dino look." I think you got a great polish on the Picasso considering the material. All in all a great day's "work."
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2021 20:09:31 GMT -5
jasoninsd A really nice batch. I think your material is real dino bone. I've gathered and cut a lot of whale bone from CA beaches and it can be a bit similar but your cab has that "dino look." I think you got a great polish on the Picasso considering the material. All in all a great day's "work." Thank you so much! Thanks for letting me know about the Dino Bone. I really was second guessing that. |
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