|
|
Post by mohs on Jun 12, 2022 12:08:53 GMT -5
Hi Perhaps some someone could supply some info on the faceting technique ? Know that you can’t i.d. the stones From this very lousy photo All I got was quick late night view of these finely faceted pieces They are so tiny and the viewing situation was less that optimal To give a fair appraisal  Anyway what I’m really seeking The skill of faceting On such minute pieces Is incredible ! Any insights ? Thanks for the help Ed |
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059 
|
Post by gemfeller on Jun 12, 2022 14:20:22 GMT -5
Not quite sure what you're asking. There are 3 basic types of faceting set-ups to my knowledge: jamb-peg, handpiece and fixed-arm. Many tiny stones are cut in low-wage countries by the traditional jamb-peg method: a board with holes cut at different angles and a long dop that can be inserted into those holes selectively to achieve the desired cutting angle.
The handpiece method involves a loose handpiece with dop attached that sits on a flat surface. The handpiece is often called a "frog" and the surface it sits on a "lily pad." The frog can be adjusted for the desired rotational angle and height is achieved in different ways. My machine's lily pad can be raised or lowered to achieve the desired lap anvgle as needed. A sophisticated version of this method is used in traditional diamond-cutting.
Finally the fixed-arm machine. This machine incorporates a dop arm and angle ajustment in a single unit, including the lap. This is the most popular style of machine in the U.S.
I have seen many extremely tiny faceted gems cut essentially "by eye" using the jamb-peg method and with handpiece machines, which are very widely used in Asia. There was something of a scandal some years back because diamond cutting firms in India that specialize in tiny 1 to 5 point stones (one hundredth to 5 hundredths of a carat) use young sharp-eyed children for the task. Essentially, experience, skill and sharp eyesight are required for cutting the teeny-tinies. Many American amateur cutters refuse to cut anything smaller than 1 carat.
|
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jun 12, 2022 14:55:47 GMT -5
Hi Rick gemfeller Excellent response You answered exactly what I was wanted to know ! Actually you were the first person who came to mind So I appreciate it I’m hoping to get a better picture and appraisal of these stones What I think was jade & the opal looked authentically natural Not sure what the red stone or others -if there just glass? Hard to imagine a highly skilled sharp eyed young’n being able to Lap a natural hard stone such as a ruby that tiny So I assume they are glass Anyway hoping to get a better picture And even getting the chance to appraise them in person. Thanks again Rick Good Luck getting through another Arizona summer As always Ed M  stly |
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Jun 12, 2022 17:15:30 GMT -5
Small/tiny stones are easy, they are quick and the tiny facets are easy to get a quick polish on. As long as your eyes are good.
What you said about Rubies is not right, being hard makes them easy, soft stones are the difficult ones.
|
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jun 12, 2022 18:27:23 GMT -5
Actually that makes a lot sense to me About faceting is somewhat easier harder the material so an inspection under the loupe may tell the tale of the grind interesting Thanks pauls The owner jus message me & says this collection is on the market Of course I get over excited If those red are some sort corundum Or the green is some sort of beryl Only test I know to do Is to see if they scratch glass mohs of course if the harness holds & under a loupe I think I have pretty good ey for clarity still have good keen eyes at 62 sharpening trade regardless I get overly impressed w/ the the grind technique ... |
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jun 12, 2022 18:41:16 GMT -5
 sure do sparkle which bring up an interesting question : what are rhinestones and are they faceted? |
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Jun 12, 2022 19:32:30 GMT -5
Whatever they are, they are very pretty!!
|
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Jun 12, 2022 21:47:59 GMT -5
My 2 cents worth as far as ID. The red cloudy ones are Ruby (probably) the clear red are probably synthetic corundum, purple is probably Amethyst, clears could be anything really, Topaz, clear Quartz, glass who knows. If you are buying these I think I would insist on having IDs before committing to buying.
|
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jun 12, 2022 22:17:44 GMT -5
Thanks again Paul When I looked at the stones And thought they may be real stones I figured its a 1000 dollar worth. Now for thought experiment Let's assume your analysis is right paul Some of those are low grade ruby & amethyst The 2 opals I saw certainly seemed natural Let assume the rest are glass There at least 200 stones If I offer this person 100 bucks for the lot Would that be a good gamble? And if they are all rhinestones What would be a fair offer? |
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Jun 13, 2022 1:10:05 GMT -5
I suppose for .50 cents each it could be worth a gamble, If you have a use for them, but dunno, it really is a gamble.
|
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jun 13, 2022 13:58:06 GMT -5
That real good point paul not sure what I'm going to do w/ the few rock I got Plus we can only hope they paid those fine faceter more that .50 cents apiece for those If i was cabbing again alway wanted to do that gem insert into the cab A rose cross was something I never got around to doing these micro sparkly would be excellent for that or make myself a rhinestone cowboy |
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jun 14, 2022 12:08:20 GMT -5
little heart sparkle  g for your day bling see ya on the othe side m  |
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jun 14, 2022 13:02:42 GMT -5
little heart sparkle g for your day bling see ya on the othe side m Can't see the image.  |
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Jun 14, 2022 17:12:35 GMT -5
Have you completely given up making hearts Ed? A little faceted ruby (or whatever) set in a heart might be really nice.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
|
Post by gemfeller on Jun 14, 2022 17:46:06 GMT -5
mohs if you ever hanker to set small stones in your Rockin' Hearts, drop me a PM. I have some little natural (and a few synthetic) gems to help out with your projects.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 14, 2022 19:17:56 GMT -5
mohs , is this the photo you were trying to post?  |
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jun 14, 2022 19:18:20 GMT -5
Thank Guys! Yep I’ve sort of have let my situation deteriorate Which make iy difficult to do lapidary. At least somewhat comfortably With the rock'n heart project I’m not really sure I ever mastered that original idea? Which was to be able make a heart pendant that was able to hang from the cleave. 20 years ago I assumed drilling that tiny hole was way beyond my capability. Certainly I didn't have tools, nor the space setup; for such an endeavor. So the 2 part heart w/ pre-drilled hole was my solution. was impressed with the design and worked hard to master the process. And a process it is! Crafting a rocking heart employs just about every lapidary intarsia technique. I was hoping the design would catch on. I tried to encourage other lapidaries to make one. Butte No one ever took up the challenge. Why? Because I wanted to see how others - whom are better grinders and polisher than me= could produce . Many are more precise w/ the calibration. That’s required to make those hearts really stand out. Or Maybe it’s just a flawed design from the get go? Well its mine ha ha Anyway --I leave it behind as my legacy to the lapidary world Someday it will be rocking cool way to make a heart pendant. That said- as a general observation - I don’t see many heart pendants on the market. Especially ones hanging from the cleave. Not sure why that is? Although I see all these people wearing metal hearts. and Mohs tell them
Ya need to get a rocking heart on. Thanks pauls Hope is well- as can be - in yours- and that side of the world right on Rick gemfeller I'll look forward to meeting hopefully gets some dependable wheels and get up into that area again even if I don't need any stones  Ed |
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jun 19, 2022 13:18:33 GMT -5
|
|
stly 
