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Post by gr on Oct 18, 2010 14:35:25 GMT -5
I want to cut these pieces the to get the best showing of the color but I don't know how. I could sure use some input because I just don't want to just make a pile of tumbling material. Probably would be some nice tumbles but would much rather make some nice cabs Any help would be very much appriciated!! Thank you in advance Gary Here's the biue fire Here are 2 pics of the purple
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Oct 18, 2010 14:53:20 GMT -5
If it were me, I'd cut it like labradorite - parallel with the the flash. If there are noticeable layers, I'd cut it parallel to the layers for an eye effect or 15 degrees off parallel for a rainbow effect.
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Post by Toad on Oct 18, 2010 15:09:46 GMT -5
Can't give advice, but very beautiful material.
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 18, 2010 15:26:43 GMT -5
Like redrockrods says. If you cut across the layers, you'll end up with banded obsidian with little or no color.
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montanamadman
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2010
Posts: 22
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Post by montanamadman on Oct 18, 2010 21:24:30 GMT -5
nice obsidian ,how many differanmt colors do you have l o l
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Post by gr on Oct 18, 2010 22:48:48 GMT -5
Mountianmadman, 3! here is a picture of what I am pretty sure is called flame obsidian. It's impossiable to show, or see, the chatoyancy in pictures, you just have to have em in your hand to appriciate the flash. These 2 pieces show a bronze/gold color.
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Post by bobby1 on Oct 19, 2010 0:16:11 GMT -5
Gary, In the July issue of Lapidary Journal - Jewelry Artist there is an article with photos that I wrote about orienting Obsidian to get an eye effect. In the first photos that you posted it looks like you could face polish the pieces with a dome and get some good color and patterns. The second piece will have what I call a "rolling" color pattern. I dont think either piece is large enough to slab parallel to any color band and get any reasonable yield. In the last photo it looks like the left hand piece is what is called Gold Sheen Obsidian. It must be cabbed parallel to the bands to get the sheen effect. A flat topped cab will show the sheen well and a domed cab will show the sheen and an eye pattern. The right hand piece may also be a gold or silver sheen. Bob
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turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
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Post by turnedstone on Oct 19, 2010 1:27:54 GMT -5
looks like you have some very nice material to cut and lots of great advice on how to cut them. The 2nd and 3rd ones look killer. George
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Post by gr on Oct 19, 2010 11:27:19 GMT -5
bobby1, Thank you for the info to help me get the best possiable out of this fairly expensive material. I'll be picking up the July back issue to read....Gary
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Post by gr on Oct 19, 2010 11:45:05 GMT -5
redrockrods, I haven't cut any labradorite yet but I know what you are saying about cutting parallel with the layers. as far as cutting 15 degrees off parallel, that means I would be cutting thru maybe a couple of layers for different color flash. How thick should the the slab be to try and save material, If I decide to cut, or does the glass pretty much dictate that? Kind of an experiance kinda thing? Thanks... Gary
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Post by bobby1 on Oct 20, 2010 11:19:59 GMT -5
The purpose it cutting at a 15 degree angle from parallel is to show the multiple layers. Unfortunately a slab cut that way only shows the colors in a very limited angle when it is viewed. You have to turn it a lot of different ways relative to the light to get just the right angle for the colors to show. When it is cut parallel to the color layers the viewing angle is much less limited but still limited to how it can be viewed. If it is face polished with a dome the viewing angles are expanded even more. Getting the best color display on Obsidian does take some effort, but as you can see in your photos these pieces do have significant colors so the viewing angle is not highly limited. Bob
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Post by kap on Oct 20, 2010 15:43:18 GMT -5
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Post by gr on Oct 21, 2010 7:55:15 GMT -5
Kap, thanks for the thread/link, very helpful. Necessity really is the mother of invention.
Bob, your wisdom on this, has put my feet on the cutting path. sounds like you have cut and polished your share.
Thanks guys! I'll post some pics when cuts are made.
Gary
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