Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Sept 1, 2004 8:28:03 GMT -5
With all the stuff my son and I are collecting, if I find a fair piece of Amethyst I'd love to find someone to facet several stones. (Of course I'd love one for myself and maybe my hubby too) (2 stones for male ring settings, one for a female....and I like smaller dainty rings...not honkers.)
I can see him wearing the ring and saying to his kids...yeah, your grandma and I dug this out of the ground by ourselves. It would make such a special family keepsake. When I mentioned this to my son Matt, he really got excited at the thought and didn't care if I sent off a bucket of what we find to get a few of the stones faceted. I also have a sister that has been working in the jewelry business for years. I'm sure we'll be able to get the stones set for a fairly reasonable amount.
Are there members here on the forum that can do this? I'm not sure of the grade of Amethyst we're digging up. Mostly poor quality I would imagine. But, it's a pale purple and I do see some of the smaller pieces that have very clear areas in them. (the areas are probably about the size of a quarter and really look like glass.)
As a form of bribery, I would happily share some of the Amethyst we find......
Thoughts....suggestions....or should I just consider using a tumbled piece of Amethyst and have that set?
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Post by docone31 on Sept 1, 2004 10:11:09 GMT -5
There are several things you can do. If you tumble a batch and find some delicate stones you like for setting on a ring, these you can have set, or make into a cabachon setting. There is a machine available called the lap-lap, that has been getting great results from the members of this forum. You are speaking of the sentimental hand me down value. This would make the expense and time worth it. You can also dop and hand grind to shape, then tumble for the finish. A jeweler can set anything. It is just what it looks like when it is done. When you select stones, look for pieces that will tumble well and grind the perimeter to shape, then tumble. When I tumble preformed cabachons, I shape to 10% oversize and then run full cycles. The stones usually come out very well. With the hand me down sentimentality, I have written several tutorials on silver/plumb gold soldering and silver work in general. I have not done any on setting. I expect soon people will be wanting that. It can be done and it is worth it.
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Sept 3, 2004 0:10:26 GMT -5
Thanks so much for answering my question Docone :-)
We're going out again this weekend and hope to find a couple more chunks of Amethyst that might be "ring" material.
I did find a place where I can buy 14k gold/whitegold rings that looked pretty good. It's gonna be tough, but I agree worthwhile for the sentimental value. I won't be around forever.
I have several table top belt sanders....though none with a water cooling setup. I assume I need that to prevent the stones from fracturing. Will look into the lap-lap....
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Post by docone31 on Sept 3, 2004 7:48:43 GMT -5
Emerald, instead of getting ready made bands, get some .051 14K wire. The stone you will set will probably not be calibrated. You will also be better off with a bench grinder, dop stick, and a cup of water. Belt sanding is for finalized sanding, a leather buff for polishing. As you can see, something like getting a polished stone to set leads to a path of experience. It is how I became a jeweler. One thing led to another, then someone wanted one, on, and on. Good luck and have fun.
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