ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 15, 2014 19:46:15 GMT -5
Stories like these are tragic and seem to be becoming more commonplace. We can make a lot of assumptions. The important element is to make the Landowner out to be public enemy #1. We know the news now all we need to know is the rest of the story when it comes out? Snuff said! Thanks for posting. Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 15, 2014 19:00:48 GMT -5
Very very nice cab & wrap. Photos are also commendable, you get to see all the phases of your handiwork. Thanks for sharing. Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 15, 2014 18:44:59 GMT -5
Thank you for your generous note! Actually I was having a bad hair day. Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 12, 2014 21:45:25 GMT -5
There may be better photo tutorials on the site but after you put your link to the image on go towards the top and look for the little photograph symbol, hit it and follow the directions. I'll have to look into that further. I looked into adding an attachment but something about forum space. I really don't fault the tutorials, its just that I just don't get it for awhile. I'm half way there. I'll look for that photograph symbol and see if I can sort it out. Thank you very much! Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 12, 2014 21:38:23 GMT -5
First time photo success, I think? Have a small grove here in central Pa. Found some of the small sections of bamboo dried, some not and gathered it up. When I researched it I wanted to see if I could get what they called a timber bamboo for tomato stakes, etc. It has survived, after 15+ years some of it is 1"+ diameter. Very woody tough stuff. An idea light up I thought why not dop sticks. Since I believe there have been all kinds of things used over time. If you use a tapered reamer 45 or 30 degree you can put a cone end on it to fit your stone. Thought I'd share this with the forum family and get your thoughts. Hope this helps? Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 12, 2014 21:26:58 GMT -5
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 12, 2014 17:51:35 GMT -5
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 12, 2014 11:54:37 GMT -5
Appreciate all those that took the time to read the posting. Update - I purchased "Advanced Cabochon Cutting by Jack R. Cox". Jack goes through Orienting Star Quartz & others. So far I ended up fabricating a polariscope, as suggested, and with translucent material it seem to work quite well for me with the material I have to work with. I even found some that star. Hope this may help? Thank you! Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 11, 2014 23:01:52 GMT -5
One of a kind, it's a standout. Thanks for posting mr. fish?? ....Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 11, 2014 22:47:46 GMT -5
Excellent wrap and very nice thought an idea. Thanks for posting. Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 11, 2014 22:42:50 GMT -5
Not sure if this is a duplicate posting....but Very clever & nicely done! Very appropriate...a piece of Montana agate I presume. Thanks for posting, Tommy. Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 11, 2014 22:18:14 GMT -5
These and all of the Wire Wrapping I've seen posted have been very nicely done. Thank you for posting! Haven't done anything concerning wire wrapping. These help alot! What I'd like to know or see are some photo's of the sides and back of the finished work of art to see the how the wires and how many wires are incorporated into the design?
This may already be posted on the board somewhere. If it is just tell me where to go? Thank you very much! Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on May 8, 2014 13:26:09 GMT -5
A little late here but years ago there was a product called whale wax sold by Geiger & some other dealers for the same purpose. Never used any but a further research might help? Thank you for posting! Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Apr 29, 2014 0:06:02 GMT -5
Just purchased 2 lbs of Rose Quartz that has facet, carving & star potential. Expect to receive the material the end of this week. Would like to know if there is anybody on the Forum that has worked with this material and can share their expertise on how to find and properly orientate the star. Your assistance, suggestions, & direction would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much! Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Apr 28, 2014 0:45:22 GMT -5
Something of interest I came across, after posting, in the book Gem Cutting Shop Helps by Hugh Leiper & Pansy Kraus. Probably just about everyone has this in the shop. Mr. Leiper wrote an article "How to Cut Cat's Eye Gems". There are a multitude of gems capable of cutting cat's eye.
This is something that I didn't realize and Hugh pointed out that it is possible to ruin the material by cutting with oil, causing the capillary action of the tubes to fill with dirt bearing cutting oil, thus reducing the effect.
To prepare a solution of sodium silicate, not too thick, dip and dry repeatedly to fill all the pores of the tubes to reduce oil or grease from entering. Hope this may help somewhat. I finished a couple without realizing that this could happen. I did notice the eye was present but not as outstanding as first noted. Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Apr 24, 2014 14:03:20 GMT -5
ran into a vendor who was happy to show me the ropes of stabilizing material. Rocks, chalk, wood, whatever. Why was he happy? His procedure uses his resin, at $90 per gallon. Since I have about a full 5 gallon bucket with 50 pounds of turquoise chalk that cost me too much (was hidden in the bottom of some good turquoise nuggets), I looked at the costs and figured out the only way yo get my $$ out of the stone was to stabilize it, as I couldn't find anyone in the business who would do that small amount. So, my math said do it. Today, I loaded up the vacuum chamber with some nice dried material (about 20 pounds) to the chamber to see what happens, added the mix to cover, and fired it up. A little over an hour later, the bubbles finally stopped coming out of the material, so I opened the valves and turned off the pump. I had ordered 4 gallons, figuring 5 gallons of chalk would just suck the mix up like crazy... Boy did I make a mistake. Yes, the level had dropped nicely, meaning the chalk had soaked up a lot of it, but when I decanted off the extra liquid, that 20 pounds had only absorbed about 1/3 gallon. Oh oh. What had faint color going in was now nicely colored blue green, I didn't add any color either. More blue than green, but you could see the green influence. I've only got the last 30 pounds, and at this rate, it means I bought about 3 gallons too much. Dang. anyone want to buy some resin for stabilizing? Maybe I can get the vendor to take 2 gallons back, this stuff is also good for stabilizing punky wood for pen blanks and etc too. BUT, the chalk really looks nice! Tomorrow I cure it and then I slice it to see how it polishes! Hi Phil - Thanks for posting. Many moon ago I had an interest in doing some turquoise stabilizing. That was in the early 70,s when turquoise took off. It will be interesting to see how thorough the absorption of resin & color is for you. As you mentioned, and probably still is true is that both stabilizing & the dyeing of turquoise is implemented. I would prefer to work with the clear? resin first to stabilize the material You an anybody can correct me, if I'm mistaken as I have very limited knowledge on what the entire method required. Keep us posted and it will be interesting as you begin to work out the incidentals. Hopefully you will be able to provide some before and after pictures. Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Apr 23, 2014 14:49:46 GMT -5
Appreciate the note. I did as you suggested. Will post an update when that occurs. Thank you for taking the time to offer a suggestion. IV
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Apr 21, 2014 16:22:24 GMT -5
Dear Friends - Would like to purchase, yes that's right purchase, some Star Garnet Rough capable of cutting 4 & 6 ray star, if possible. Only need a few good pieces to enable me to cut some nice stars. They will be for a special gift I have to design for my Wife's next birthday (January). Your assistance with this matter will be appreciated. Please email with specifics, etc. Look forward to hearing from you. Thank you very much. I love this forum . Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Apr 19, 2014 9:40:47 GMT -5
Greetings & Welcome from Central Pa. - Coal and iron mines in the surrounding hills and mountains fueled the local economy, and by mid-century Danville was an important iron mill town. Many of the rails of the nation's expanding railroad system were made in Danville. A local marker claims that the first T-rail rolled in the United States was rolled in Danville, on October 8, 1845 at the Montour Iron Company, though this is claimed for Mount Savage, Maryland, as well.
Montour and several other enormous iron mills dominated the town for most of the 19th century and the iron industry was the chief employer in the region. The iron mills fell into decline, however, as steel replaced iron in the 20th century. The city celebrates this era with an annual Iron Heritage Festival in July, and the main street is still named "Mill Street".
Slag glass is still found in the area but very scarce. Very attractive the pieces I've seen. Thanks for sharing! Ivan
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ivan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 165
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Post by ivan on Mar 18, 2014 0:57:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the notes. Didn't have much time to check out the treasure net for Mr. EU Citizen but the Forum is interesting. Guess I'll have to get out the Fisher & the Minelab in a couple of weeks.
I managed to sign up on Photobucket but had to turn down all the promotions they were offering. Maybe I can load a photo to PC than save it and transfer it to the Forum? Somehow I managed to get my photo with my thinking cap lite up as my member picture? Bad hair day an all! Thank you. IV
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