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Post by krazydiamond on May 18, 2012 16:06:46 GMT -5
hey all,
i tried searching for threads that might help, but didn't find what i was looking for, so decided to ask. I just bought some "Beginner's Grade" opal from Kingsley North. I'm assuming it's packed in a jar of oil to keep it from damage in shipping?
anyway, before i ruin the whole lot being a clod, could anyone give me some advice on how to proceed with this material? I've worked a little with Boulder Opal (Koroit) and have a certain amount of experience with other softer stones like Seraphinite.....but any "gotchas" tips would be most appreciated.
thanks,
KD
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Post by Bikerrandy on May 18, 2012 21:16:55 GMT -5
The oil is to keep it from drying out, opal is really prone to cracking when it dries out. You can keep it from drying after it is worked simply by rubbing it, the oils from your skin will take care of it. I'm not experienced by any means in cutting opals, but everyone says "don't chase the fire", the fire is an ultra-thin layer that will grind right off very quickly if you're not careful. Also, everyone that's experienced will tell you that an opti-visor is a must.
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Post by helens on May 18, 2012 22:54:32 GMT -5
What exactly do you want to do with it? Cab? Carve?
Opals can crack for MANY MANY MANY reasons including looking at them funny:). Especially US opals. If they came in a jar of oil or water, they most likely were sold as a 'specimen' jar, that you may want to leave there to admire.
There's a LOT of reading you can do online about opals, and I'd look as much up as possible before starting to cut it.
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Post by Tony W on May 19, 2012 0:42:27 GMT -5
Hey, KD. The liquid is glycerin, I think. Like Randy says for keeping it lubed. I bought some of the KingN beginners grade stuff, when I first got into this and went into it whole hog, Katy bar the door, lol. And....I never found anything Not to put you off, but don't be surprised if you don't find much fire to chase with the cheap grade. Otherwise, it is just like the little sparkle patches in Koroit. There will be fire in the depths of the whitish matrix, and you try to center it, and dome with the best in the middle, or oriented so you get the best fire, for a ring, or ear rings, or whatever. Grind a little, look a lot. Don't be timid, or afraid. Getting more is what money is for, lol. YOu might try sanding it with a 600/1200 wheel on all sides before you dop, and see if you can find any fire out in sunlight, wet, then grind your flat for the dop and do your rougher grinds. Tony
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dshalldms
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by dshalldms on May 19, 2012 5:09:45 GMT -5
Hello KD
Google the following...
forum.rocktumblinghobby.com"Opal"
You will find many references to opal on our boards.
Regards,
Derek
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Post by krazydiamond on May 19, 2012 11:22:03 GMT -5
ok, thanks, peeps. at least i know what the glycerin if for now, lol. i didn't expect much fire with beginner's grade, anyway, just figured it would be cheaper to screw up. most of the pieces are small and flat, guess i'll just dop a few and see what happens.
KD
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