gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 14, 2020 16:55:34 GMT -5
Actually, "boule" is French for "ball." The first flame-fusion rubies made in the 1890s by a Frenchman named Verneuil took a shape similar to a ball in their raw state, before cutting. Even though most lab-made synthetic boules made today, whether corundum, spinel or other stones often look more like cylinders with a rounded end, they're still called boules.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 14, 2020 11:54:57 GMT -5
Just a note. Yellow to golden citrine (quartz) is often promoted as "citrine topaz." That's a misnomer and in my opinion unethical. I think it's a name some retailers devised to satisfy birthstone sales with a less expensive stone than genuine topaz.
Blue topaz is white (colorless) topaz that's been irradiated then heated to stabilize color. It comes in three basic tones of blue: Sky Blue, Swiss Blue and London Blue. The darker the tone the greater amount of radiation. Dark London Blue spends time in a nuclear reactor and then must be "cooled off" for a set period of time before it can enter the jewelry trade. Rules for treatment are set by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ETA: Natural Blue topaz is very rare but does exist. It's found in some areas of Texas and there's another source in Zimbabwe. I've also heard of some found in Brazil but I don't know where.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 13, 2020 1:24:21 GMT -5
The spring adapter for the #30 is something I'd like to find. Never seen one before.
I bought the Foredom version of the Faro w/o the spring. Now I wish I'd gotten the Faro. Bad decision based on $$ Wish I'd saved up.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 12, 2020 20:19:32 GMT -5
Foredom still sells similar models with the following warning: "Duplex springs are subject to breakage and are NOT covered by warranty." Folks, that's an understatement! Be warned. I don't have that specific handpiece model or its replacement, but I have duplex springs on my handpieces and wouldn't be without.
I also have a good bunch of Foredom replacement springs, so if you or anyone else ever needs one, just holler.
Maybe it was the design of that particular handpiece that caused me so many headaches. It's discontinued, so that might be the reason. I'm glad you've found a duplex spring design that works -- can you post the model # since I'd like to have a spring-equipped tool that works as it should.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 11, 2020 21:23:47 GMT -5
The one tool I really regret buying was a Foredom quick-change handpiece that uses a flexible Duplex spring. I don't think that specific model is sold any longer (thankfully!) I spent most of my time sending it back to the factory and replacing springs. It's the kind that has a chuck collet that slides back and forth to allow quick changes of bits. Foredom still sells similar models with the following warning: "Duplex springs are subject to breakage and are NOT covered by warranty." Folks, that's an understatement! Be warned.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 11, 2020 21:16:39 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the good birthday wishes! They're greatly appreciated.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 9, 2020 18:12:29 GMT -5
Fake is fake. Big market potential among the Fordite fanciers. Industrial uses should far outweigh the jewelry value but you can fool most of the people most of the time.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 9, 2020 12:17:15 GMT -5
I'm not familiar with the material but if it's slightly porous, soaking it in water for a week or so before slabbing will help prevent oil from penetrating into the stone. It works with white howlite.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 7, 2020 19:24:05 GMT -5
Wait until China gets is full space force into operation. China's goal is to have the space capability to shut down America's computer systems and electrical grid any time of its choosing, using directed energy and 5G technologies. It will seek to control our media, businesses, land, debt and markets. That will take a whole lot of new satellites and other spacecraft. Source: Retired Air Force General Steven L. Kwast, author of the study "Fast Space: Leveraging Ultra Low-Cost Space Access for 21st Century Challenges."
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 5, 2020 2:24:15 GMT -5
I got an Olympus TG-4 and haven't had a lot of time to work with it. These are some shots I made with it experimentally to see how it works with rock stuff. The subjects are some amethyst cabs I cut and there's a visible difference between the unstacked and stacked images. There's still lots of room for improving my technique. I hope to get better shots (I have some archived but my files are a mess and I wasn't able to find them quickly). Unstacked: Stacked:
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 1, 2020 22:09:58 GMT -5
Looks like a variety of onyx to me.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 1, 2020 21:49:08 GMT -5
Years ago I decided to travel by train from Denver to Salt Lake City. It was the middle of a very cold winter and when the train reached a frozen, windswept spot in the middle of Wyoming it was routed onto a siding for switching. They turned off the lights and heat and we sat there in teeth-chattering cold and darkness for several hours before heading west again.
I decided no more trains! So when I was later flying from Atlanta to L.A. via Chicago's O'Hare in the dead of winter, I was switched onto a new plane for the California leg. After a few minutes they turned off the lights and heat and we sat freezing on the tarmac for 4 hours before finally getting into the air. The delay was caused by de-icing and I'd rather be cold than dead, but still...
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 1, 2020 15:05:06 GMT -5
I'm really sorry to hear of your problem Roger . Your cab work is top-notch and I'll miss seeing your work. I live in daily fear of the same issue but so far I've been blessed. As I've aged (and I'm much older than you) I've noticed a slight loss of hand flexibility and a couple of my fingers have occasional arthritic episodes. But I'm still able to manipulate even tiny stones on the wheels by hand, for which I'm very thankful. I truly sympathize with your frustration at not having this creative outlet. It's a life-line for me and to lose it would would be a huge personal blow. Keep on with the silver work and give us reports on your progress. Best wishes!
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 28, 2020 20:18:03 GMT -5
Good trip report. Looks like it was fun. I'm getting barn sour and I'm ready for a similar adventure.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 25, 2020 2:06:50 GMT -5
I started cabbing in 1957. I thought some of you might enjoy seeing my "state of the art" first sawing/cabbing combo from Hillquist in Seattle. I learned on my Dad's Sears-Roebuck machine but this was my very own upgrade. It was also a big hassle to use, and since sawing required a weight on one side the sleeve bearing gave out pretty fast. Changing speeds was also a hassle since it involved loosening the motor mount and sliding the motor back and forth to engage whatever groove on the pulley that was required. This isn't my actual machine but it looks exactly like it. I found the images somewhere on line. I cut a lot of nice cabs on it but when finances allowed I replaced it with Poly Arbors and a 12-inch Highland Park saw. Here's the irony: I lost all my equipment and rocks in a very nasty divorce. I left my former home with everything that would fit into a Volkswagen bug. But life goes on...
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 25, 2020 1:29:12 GMT -5
joshuamcduffie This was one of the coolest trip reports I've seen in a long time & it didn't even include rockhounding! I love the photos of the huge wheels. I like the bracing in the first couple of pics with the guy holding agate to wheel. That actually looks more comfortable than standing or sitting at a modern machine, although some modern padding would be better than wood. Lynn A friend, who studied cabochon-cutting there, calls it "the Idar-Oberstein position": elbows or fore-arms on the knees with the workpiece held below the center line of the wheel. Big objects like bowls were cut with the lapidary lying on his belly, as a couple of the images show. Both are easy on the back and allow stability and precise movement of the workpiece. I have my Genie set up somewhat like that. I built a shelf few inches higher than the Genie where I can rest my fore-arms while cutting. I find it gives me a lot more control in shaping cabs
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 24, 2020 20:39:36 GMT -5
I have an old CC and a newer L series high-torque unit. I love the L for it's great torque at low speed for both carving and setting faceted stones. The CC's had a lot of use as well for general work with both stones and metal. I have plastic foot controls but would like to upgrade to metal ones for the reasons others have mentioned. However the plastic ones work just fine but are a little less convenient.
I use the #30 handpiece most but also have a quick-change handpiece which also is handy for certain work. I went with the Foredom quick-change but should have bought the more expensive Faro, which is handier.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 23, 2020 20:26:02 GMT -5
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 23, 2020 14:06:08 GMT -5
I have one of those, a relic from a time when oxy was prescribed for treatment of my sleep apnia. When it was no longer needed the rental company simply didn't picking it up so it's gathering dust. I'd never thought of using it for torch work. Do you folks have any links describing how one would be used and hooked up? TIA.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 23, 2020 1:24:14 GMT -5
Great post! I was lucky to spend a couple of days there several years ago. Tommy also visited a while back and posted a bunch of images. A visit there is a colored gemstone enthusiast's dream.
I spent nearly all my time in the two museums since there's such an incredible amount of wonderful stuff to see. I have a file of images somewhere and when I look at them I want to go back when I can spend more time - and money.
Work there began in the Middle Ages and I've always suspected the Steinkaulenberg Mine was the inspiration for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
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