metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 21, 2017 1:16:24 GMT -5
So why would it grind silver and cab black? Does the polishing heat oxidise it? CuO is black; think to black firestain in Sterling Silver. CuS - IS Covellite and that is also black: linkCheck out Images for Covellite Cabochon... I see similarities
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 21, 2017 1:05:13 GMT -5
Yeah, by virtue of recharging you would be mixing your grits since the breakdown of SiC reduces the size. And it's worthwhile to keep recharging with coarse and still have your rocks come out shiny at intermediate stages: it's easier to see where it is at and the potential.
I've also mixed fine SiC with 10,000 diamond, with CeO at polishing.
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 21, 2017 0:48:50 GMT -5
Thanks metalsmith! I kind of wish I could have seen some bombers or something, but they never seem to be out on the weekend. BOMBERS! ... well that's one way to turn over some new material
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 20, 2017 18:01:59 GMT -5
@shotgunner Now that's nice. Sorry, I mean that's gneiss: Garnet Gneiss. Look on the bright side at least it isn't shist. Similar things going on here: See here
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 20, 2017 16:13:59 GMT -5
The big rock in the middle of your second photo looks pretty impressive too. I would paid excess baggage to have hauled that home!
A belated happy B!
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 20, 2017 0:08:31 GMT -5
Wow - Idar Oberstein is only a few hours from the Channel Crossing (add 5 or 6 hours for travel to the English south coast). Might just have to go sometime!
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 19, 2017 15:37:57 GMT -5
Well I love the frog on the reed, but if I was choosing one, I think I'd orthorectify the Michaelangelo. Without treatment, probably the frog 'cos he's climbing out of the screen, coming right at you!
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 19, 2017 15:29:11 GMT -5
Finally a brekker! This is OLD SKOOL. Veeeeeeeeeerrrrrrry nice! All the other lousy lavic, just send my way and I'll dispose of it for you!
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 19, 2017 13:25:27 GMT -5
Can you tell me: where was the Pink Opal sourced i.e. originate from? PM sent. drocknutI got it in Quartzsite but not exactly sure where it is from. I had a friend look at it and he thinks maybe Peru but some of it had dendrites which Peruvian pink opal doesn't usually have according to him. Another PM sent Granted your friend may have had a better look than I can see from the pictures, but there doesn't appear to much by way of dendrites. I'm very happy with the material. Please consider it sold. kind regards Chas
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 19, 2017 0:31:06 GMT -5
For starters, get a Foredom TX. Then add the carving kit of mandrels. Not cheap though! I'd recommend a small (or mini) bench grinder with a flexible shaft driver for starters. Add/ upgrade when you know that this is for you and the time you pass doing the hobby justifies the spend. IMHO...
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 19, 2017 0:24:37 GMT -5
FYI I recently bought a 4-wheel set up, the Lortone Beaver. If I needed 8 I would be perfectly happy adding another 4-wheel unit.
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 18, 2017 15:33:24 GMT -5
I've cut some with 40mm diamond disks for a dremel (type)
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 18, 2017 11:59:57 GMT -5
I love these. All of them. ('cept the atlantisite; for some reason atlantisite doesn't flip my switch, but that's my problem!) Nothing to do with your wrapping they're all wonderful!
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 18, 2017 10:45:02 GMT -5
Can you tell me: where was the Pink Opal sourced i.e. originate from? PM sent. drocknut
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 16, 2017 3:51:30 GMT -5
Prayers and peace.
ps you beat me to the tourmaline on the RTH auction here too... I just had to go to bed past midnight UK time... couldn't hang in 'til 2am on a work-night!
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 15, 2017 14:23:54 GMT -5
Thanks gemfeller. I'm familiar with mtorolite and also the smell of chrysocolla / malachite; this is one of the latter, I believe. I'll put up some photos of the other rough I took last night when I get a moment. Sorry for the dark images: they weren't meant to be the challenge!
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 14, 2017 14:33:19 GMT -5
Sorry to jump the thread, but this one has stumped me, too. I thought of it as silicated. It seems very gem silica to me. Super hard and agatey. Lots going on including fortification. Could this be Peru or another? No problem! Welcome to the thread. Sorry, I can't help.
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 13, 2017 17:01:33 GMT -5
I looked into Bowlerite some time back. A UK seller here seemed to promote the idea that only old bowling balls were bowlerite; this doesn't seem to feature in any of the information material on this thre/ad. Is there anything to steer towards or keep clear from?
Just spent up for this month anyhow (existing commitments excepting)... bowlerite will have to wait a while.
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 13, 2017 16:52:53 GMT -5
This was sold by a very reliable seller as silicated chrysocolla with the description that it is very high quality with the best pieces approaching gem silica. This piece was distinctly the most green in the bunch. A lovely teal colour, I wonder if it is more correctly Malocolla / Malachite Gem Silica; parts of it are translucent. There was a wavy line of white material with a couple of O's, I was looking to try preserving, but that would have dictated an odd / awkward shape. Finished cab approx 17 x 15 mm. Any ideas on this, please? Slabette Finished Cabochon Thanks in advance
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Mar 13, 2017 12:52:01 GMT -5
Wow thank you metalsmith - you got this party started with a bang. I think these two almost perfectly capture the subject - composition, angle, lighting. If you could share a higher res uncropped version with me they are strong early contenders. I love your cropping as-is but I've painted myself into a square shape dimensionally already. The last one you added is very good too - might not be quite as easily understood to be faceting tho. Re the turquoise - I agree. Full size images can now be accessed from my flickr account. Click on the image then the arrow at the bottom right of the screen. You may know this already, just covering all the bases. Let me know when you've got what you need. I don't like to keep full res on Flickr.
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