metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 12, 2016 14:33:50 GMT -5
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 11, 2016 7:37:00 GMT -5
Once you've cut all your belongings in half what do you do then? Turn the machine on itself? Open a museum? $30 entry ... but today it's half price... ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png)
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 11, 2016 7:29:50 GMT -5
Tension setting?
I'm not sure whether fluorite from different locations has different properties, but the local material has a strong cleavage that likes to actively cleave on pretty much about any manipulation.
I've not tried tumbling or facetting, but just (trying to) set stones was a nightmare. I gave up, but I'd be keen to try again. I have a broken Chinese Fluorite obelisk that didn't survive the postal journey here (from within the UK) despite being well packed, so I have some material to play with when I put the time aside.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 11, 2016 7:24:55 GMT -5
Looks like a pretty interesting rock. Have you got plans for it? Will be interested to see what turns out. For ideas, try your minerals in a search engine combined with the words 'slab', 'tumbles' / 'tumblestones'
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 11, 2016 7:23:17 GMT -5
(insane)Great work. Monochrome fordite with a hint of blue. Quite seasonal! Just the smallest of gaps at the point. This is usually (on mine anyway) down to the bail limiting access and the effect of reinforcing the bezel making it stiff to work. I wonder, is your bail soldered? If not then you could fit the bezel tight then roll the bezel to finish. Just small a thought for that final 1%. Yes I have OCD... ![(insane)](//storage.proboards.com/1258779/images/sjMRQMtnaKnKaqKFYToi.gif)
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 10, 2016 12:07:15 GMT -5
Hehe .. £0.99 UK sterling TBH I thought it was going to be a fraction of the size - neither dimensions or weights were on the page. Over a pound for £4!! We Yorkshire folk are known for being thrifty / getting value for money See traditions and stereotypesOf course there's no truth in it!! ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png)
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 10, 2016 2:31:39 GMT -5
Super-neat and tidy work!
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 10, 2016 2:13:03 GMT -5
Nice, I especially like the first one, great color & shape. Peace, Rich Thanks Rich, after 'finishing' it went back for re-shaping and then again. One of those things, I guess, when you're 'not sure' about something, it's an underlying niggle and dissatisfaction. Now, I'm just about happy with it, though it is difficult not to get some 'flat' with turquoise on a hard disk. I think it has just about polished out, but in future, one of those soft wheels might help.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 9, 2016 17:56:50 GMT -5
I know where you're coming from with all the errors and issues you describe.
That's because you're looking at it x 50 mag!
Sheesh you have a couple of electrons spinning asymmetrically there! What to do??!
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 9, 2016 17:47:09 GMT -5
Kingman Turquoise Cabochon ![Kingman Turquoise Cabochon](https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/343/31499702746_5f25b11136_b.jpg) Arizona Turquoise Cabochon ![Arizona Turquoise Cabochon](https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5723/31283151901_7297691cd5.jpg) Arizona Turquoise Cabochon ![Arizona Turquoise Cabochon](https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5677/31028784680_3f1ea3152a_b.jpg) Kingman Turquoise Cabochon ![Kingman Turquoise Cabochon](https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5778/30576405544_8814887df7_z.jpg) Kingman Turquoise Cabochon ![Kingman Turquoise Cabochon](https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5519/31397780095_75b6e5b03f_z.jpg) Shattuckite Cabochon ![Shattuckite Cabochon](https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5578/31361269666_10cf940854_b.jpg) Shattuckite Cabochon ![Shattuckite Cabochon](https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5668/30576199714_8f380ec925.jpg) Shattuckite Cabochon ![Shattuckite Cabocon](https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5742/31397536945_911354e8dc_b.jpg)
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 9, 2016 13:33:55 GMT -5
Hehe .. £0.99 UK sterling
TBH I thought it was going to be a fraction of the size - neither dimensions or weights were on the page.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 8, 2016 16:23:21 GMT -5
A flat facetted-style Bolivian Chevron Amethyst cabochon ![Facetted Bolivian chevron amethyst](https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/551/31143622270_d9efd66722_k.jpg)
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 8, 2016 14:41:55 GMT -5
Thanks - I have seen similar ones done before and they all had very little detail which is probably better for not catching on things. I was just wanting to test myself and also make mine stand out from the rest. I did try to sand and file anything that seemed sharp. Chuck There's sharp and pointy and then there's narrows that are vulnerable to damage.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 8, 2016 14:27:18 GMT -5
![Canadian Jade Slab](https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/91/30703400793_da2dc77988_b.jpg) 488g Canadian Jade Slab $1.24 plus $3.52 shipping ... thank you very much!
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 8, 2016 11:45:59 GMT -5
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 6, 2016 13:34:15 GMT -5
Nothing crude about them! Artisan workmanship, I think it's called.
There's nothing there that a little polishing won't show to their full potential. Great work
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 6, 2016 2:33:09 GMT -5
You've achieved a good level of detail in your piercing. I'd have a small concern about the projections, especially where narrow. Do my eyes deceive me or have you rounded some down to address this? I think this would sit really well on a puddingstone background.
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 5, 2016 2:28:37 GMT -5
And I'm sure you're waxing / lubing the blades? Otherwise you'll soon get into trouble - jamesp No wax, no lube. I was using bur-life until I saw a video by a guy who has been sawing without it for 20 years. He explained- and it made sense to me- that a wax thing would fill up the gullet and clog up the blade faster. I have had zero trouble without wax or bur-life and I don't miss it. Interesting! I wax the side of the blade, since that is where the unwanted friction is. Though at 20 years your guy a mere beginner on James Miller with over 50 years in the trade and still gold-smithing in his retirement and piercing being his mainstay. He's the chap I'm very happy to listen to over on a UK based jewellery forum even though I don't expect to ever approach his standard of work, I'll keep chipping away. I'm yet to do much piercing with the new blades, but with the old cheap ones of which there were many, a snag was often a precursor to a break.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 16:35:41 GMT -5
Try buying cheap blades. They're just about worth their money - and you're right: you'll snap plenty of blades. The more expensive blades are so much better. By spending your hard-earned on cheap blades that are intolerant, you'll train yourself up to be super-sensitive. Then the more expensive - more robust - blades will last so much longer in your hands, you'll surprise yourself! The blades I started with were cheap blades, then I got some good ones. What a difference!! The Swiss got it right. I love the 6/0 cuts like butter and leaves no bur. Of course, they aren't practical for everything. And I'm sure you're waxing / lubing the blades? Otherwise you'll soon get into trouble - jamesp
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metalsmith
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Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 15:40:16 GMT -5
Beautiful; I'm especially liking the bloodstone.
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