rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,323
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Post by rocknewb101 on Aug 30, 2023 8:12:16 GMT -5
So i've had a thought and didn't even consider this until I was looking through my different cabs I've attempted last night. I have a lovely star sapphire that Starguy was kind enough to send me...that's lab made - made by man...would that qualify here? Only thing is I don't have a pic of the rough, because I started it without considering the competition - but I do have another in rough form I could show - thoughts? I'm not 100% sure I could even finish before tomorrow, but would give it a go if it was acceptable. Let me know. Well, since some knucklehead forgot to include a piece of Fordite in a box sent to you, I'm all for the sapphire qualifying!! It's true...it is manmade. I think the pic of the "other" piece of rough would qualify. Heck...people forget to take pics of the "before" all the time! haha!! I don't see a knucklehead anywhere here The other piece is basically the same, just a bit bigger - Thanks, Jason! I'll give it a go!
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,510
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Post by rockbrain on Aug 30, 2023 16:34:29 GMT -5
So i've had a thought and didn't even consider this until I was looking through my different cabs I've attempted last night. I have a lovely star sapphire that Starguy was kind enough to send me...that's lab made - made by man...would that qualify here? Only thing is I don't have a pic of the rough, because I started it without considering the competition - but I do have another in rough form I could show - thoughts? I'm not 100% sure I could even finish before tomorrow, but would give it a go if it was acceptable. Let me know. "Contestants are asked to create a cabochon using a material that did not exist in nature in it's present form" Lab created stones would definitely work. I for one don't think not having a pic of the rough is a huge deal. I believe it's just to show that you actually made the cab. I know I've entered before without one (of course I didn't get enough votes to win!) and I'm pretty sure others have too.
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,323
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Post by rocknewb101 on Aug 30, 2023 19:52:38 GMT -5
Well, scratch my thought lol. Ran into some technical issues that I don't have time to fix. Can see the star, although wobbly; but when trying to put a bevel on the underside i zipped off way more than intended completely destroying the girdle. Also, this strange dull area in the upper left - can't seem to fix this area. Sharing a pic just for fun. Can't wait to see entries.
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Post by realrockhound on Aug 30, 2023 20:06:22 GMT -5
Easy fix. Take back to 280 soft, apply light pressure until all dome has been abraded. Then go back through the stages. Spend extra time on the 1200. Then finish off on 3000. Star will show more than likely. Unless its an inclusion, should fix that dull Spot. Could be undercutting causing that. Hard to say.
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,323
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Post by rocknewb101 on Aug 31, 2023 7:09:11 GMT -5
Easy fix. Take back to 280 soft, apply light pressure until all dome has been abraded. Then go back through the stages. Spend extra time on the 1200. Then finish off on 3000. Star will show more than likely. Unless its an inclusion, should fix that dull Spot. Could be undercutting causing that. Hard to say. I can certainly try - I spent quite a bit of time on the 280 to no avail, but am always willing to keep trying. I just won't make this competition. I feel like it might be undercutting - when I initially had to go back discs (slant lap) to get missed scratches out I noticed the different 'layers' if you will. I could never get it back to the gorgeous sheen all over after that. I will take much better care with the second and will be completing it on the CK so hopefully will make a difference. I will try as you suggest though. Waste not, want not!! Thanks!!
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 31, 2023 14:24:53 GMT -5
rocknewb101 the light reflection does seem to indicate orange peel from undercutting, I'm guessing a side effect of the process to make the boule. Light pressure in the best way to deal with orange peel in good Jade, this should be no different. If you still have the slant lap set up, and a set of finer grit hard laps, they may help as well. This is a heads up for me too, I just drug out some boules of what is supposed to be star ruby synthetic, some look to be off color, which makes them sapphires, Elizabeths birthstone.
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Post by realrockhound on Aug 31, 2023 14:33:51 GMT -5
Last day. Two battle it out. Unless…..
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,323
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Post by rocknewb101 on Aug 31, 2023 15:21:13 GMT -5
rocknewb101 the light reflection does seem to indicate orange peel from undercutting, I'm guessing a side effect of the process to make the boule. Light pressure in the best way to deal with orange peel in good Jade, this should be no different. If you still have the slant lap set up, and a set of finer grit hard laps, they may help as well. This is a heads up for me too, I just drug out some boules of what is supposed to be star ruby synthetic, some look to be off color, which makes them sapphires, Elizabeths birthstone. Thank you Rockoonz! I think I probably was too rough with it. I don't have the slant lap set up anymore, but I've discovered I can take one of those hard discs - I think I have a 260 or 280 - and attach to the left-side of the cab machine. I might try it. Nice - sapphire is my son's birthstone too...
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Post by liveoak on Aug 31, 2023 19:18:33 GMT -5
Light pressure in the best way to deal with orange peel in good Jade, this should be no different. A very good tip I shall have to implement . Thank you,
Patty
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Aug 31, 2023 19:32:11 GMT -5
Alright well I knocked one out quick. I've been so busy with working on some outside projects that I almost missed my own contest theme 🤣 I knew this wouldn't be a very popular choice for many, so thank you to the few that did enter a cab 👍 I did fordite as well. I do have 2 pieces of Bridewell stone that I considered cutting but with barely any time I figured I'd save it for another day. Here's the slab, which it almost was. Preform cut out. And my cab. Tommy please use this photo for the contest. I really liked the copper color on top so when the black shark appeared to be swimming through the cab I left the few small divots that were left. Side view. Size reference.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,510
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Post by rockbrain on Aug 31, 2023 19:49:08 GMT -5
Cool cab! Very organic looking. You even have copper druzy pockets!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Aug 31, 2023 20:02:44 GMT -5
Thank you.
I was worried there wouldn't be any contrast because the layers are mostly flat so I cut the cab out of the lumpiest part.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,724
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Post by khara on Aug 31, 2023 21:20:37 GMT -5
Wow. Another great Fordite. That one's got some gorgeous blues and the rough material didn't really give a clue that that would be the case. Is that vintage or new paint? NDK
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,724
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Post by khara on Aug 31, 2023 21:45:38 GMT -5
Ok, here's my man-made theme cab for this month, with at least one flat side, almost forgot that part. This material is apparently copper and silver ore smelter run-off brick. I got a slab from a recent show. It's pretty rough to cab. The material is already quite pitted and then more pits open up as you work it. This one is my 2nd cab attempt with the material. It's pretty stuff though. There is an entire rainbow of colors which are really fun to watch as you work it. The purples and oranges really stand out when it's wet but they are hard to photo. Thanks for looking and for the contest theme!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Sept 1, 2023 4:53:17 GMT -5
That's an awesome cab, khara! I have a slab of that as well, never thought about it. Great choice! ETA: Khara we got the fordite from Billy toiv0. I'm assuming it is vintage but don't know for sure.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,653
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Post by Tommy on Sept 1, 2023 10:00:15 GMT -5
With that our August "man made material" theme cabochon contest draws to a close. Arguably the contest was over-shadowed by the benefit cab contest but what we ended up with are four VERY beautiful cabochon entries and I predict a slug-fest vote with every entry doing very well. I will have the voting thread uploaded shortly so stay tuned!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Sept 1, 2023 17:26:55 GMT -5
Good luck guys!
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,724
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Post by khara on Sept 1, 2023 18:11:53 GMT -5
Small group this month! People must be busy hurrying up and enjoying the last of summer! I hope anyway. Fun cabs, hard to choose. 👍
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 1, 2023 20:29:07 GMT -5
NDK - Nate...I apologize for not getting an entry in this month! I have NO clue where the time went this month!! Good luck to y'all. I really like each and every one of these!!
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 914
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Post by ashley on Sept 1, 2023 23:35:48 GMT -5
Its going to be a nail bitter!
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