altamura
starting to shine!
Member since September 2006
Posts: 34
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Post by altamura on Dec 29, 2007 0:50:57 GMT -5
These images of pendant necklaces and lone pendants show some my recent lapidary and jewelry efforts. Rough outlines of gems were trimmed using a WorkForce tile saw, and rough shaping was done using a diamond-surfaced lap wheel on a Rock Rascal machine. Polishing was done by going through the grits using a Lortone vibrating tumbling machine. I am greatful to deb193 for advice and encouragement in finding my way through much of this. I would be v. interested in feedback from RTH members concerning my results and this type of work. I have a lot to learn. Picture 1 (Jasper and shell agate): Picture 2 (Lace agate and jasper): Picture 3 (Green jasper): Picture 4 (Wide variety of pendants): Picture 5 (Selected pendants):
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Post by deb193redux on Dec 29, 2007 0:58:01 GMT -5
Hey Bob, glad to see you posting pics. BTW, the vibe tumbler I loaned you is a Lot-O-TUmbler.
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Post by parfive on Dec 29, 2007 1:27:43 GMT -5
Lookin' real good, Bob, especially for using minimal equipment. The middle row in the last pic stands out!
I don't think you're listed on the WorkForce census. I'll add your name if I can find the thread post up-grade.
Rich
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Post by deb193redux on Dec 29, 2007 1:40:24 GMT -5
Rich, a new WF saw owner, but not another RTH WF. I sold mine to Bob when I left PA. I will get another one, so eventually it will be another RTH WF.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,787
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 29, 2007 5:16:43 GMT -5
Beautiful cabs, I like their variety of patterns and colors. My fav is the blue egg in the last pic.
Adrian
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Dec 29, 2007 6:36:42 GMT -5
Middle row and last row, I think, are amazing! I love the (??) jasper on the left bottom row. I do have a suggestion, tho. I think your stones need better settings! I like the simplicity, myself, but you have amazing stones! Way to go!
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Post by Cher on Dec 29, 2007 9:13:36 GMT -5
Love the ones in the middle row in the last pic, nice shapes, awesome colors.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 29, 2007 9:36:36 GMT -5
Those look great!! You're doing everything pretty much the same way I do them, except that I do the rough shaping with a silicon carbide grinding wheel. I use a Thumblers vibe, it has a ten pound capacity so I can do between 400 and 500 pendants at a time. Nice work on your pendants bud, keep posting pics!!
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Post by beefjello on Dec 29, 2007 11:15:11 GMT -5
Those pendants look great Bob! Sounds like Daniel set you up good with equipment and instruction, WTG!
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Dec 29, 2007 12:25:04 GMT -5
yeah that Daniel is a real good guy he's given me some much needed advice too.. and wow I can tell you got a great eye for patterns.. Your pendants are beautiful!! Can't wait to see more .
Roxy
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emyhro4048
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 396
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Post by emyhro4048 on Dec 29, 2007 13:29:36 GMT -5
Way to go Bob! They look real professional to me. Thank's for sharing.
Ed M.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Dec 29, 2007 13:30:38 GMT -5
Very nice Bob. It's really great what can be done with minimal equipment. Steve
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Post by stoner on Dec 30, 2007 1:44:14 GMT -5
Wow, nice job on all of these.
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altamura
starting to shine!
Member since September 2006
Posts: 34
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Post by altamura on Dec 30, 2007 10:36:04 GMT -5
Hi Adrian:
Thanks for your kind feedback. The blue egg (I call this shape a raindrop :>) - but it sure looks like an egg) is comprised of agate (blue-lace variety). Agates are rewarding to work and fun to look at. I will use this gemstone to make a pendant necklace much like the ones that I posted. I'm leaning toward using silver metal - rather than gold. What do you think?
Cheers, Bob
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altamura
starting to shine!
Member since September 2006
Posts: 34
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Post by altamura on Dec 30, 2007 11:05:13 GMT -5
Hi Karen:
Thanks for the message. I like the picture jaspers too. I'm new to tumbling and still learning the ropes. All these picture jaspers were in the same tumbler and in the same grits for the same amount of time (more or less). The picture jaspers to the right gave me a bird, b/c some layers differentially abraded faster than other layers. this changes the shape to something a little bit different than what I had crudely creately on the lap before putting it in the tumbler. It's not a bad thing, just different and it surprised me. Actually it more than surprised me, I was a bit insulted. How could that tumbler change my work of art? :>) I told you that I have a lot to learn - didn't I? Humility toward my tumbler is one lesson. :>)
I liked your suggestion about the better findings. I do have any capabilities to create finding and end up purchasing mine from Fire Mountain. I epoxy the bail to the gemstone using 2-ton strength epoxy. The epoxy sets in 30 mins. - but I give the process longer (overnight). I haven't had any failures yet. It is claimed that the epoxy can hold an elephant off the ground :>).
MY friend Daniel (deb193) has shown me his method of drilling holes in pendants. Once the hole is drilled, one can use a jump ring and chain to finish the piece - or one can purchase some v. nice precious metal (Au or Ag) bails from Fire Mountain. These bails have small studs/post on the unseen side that fit into the drilled hole in the gem - and when the bail is crimped closed the post enter the hole and secure thing v. nicely.
I picked up a used drill press to do this, but I have yet to develop a method that works for hard gemstones. My issue is securing the stones while I drill - and the shiney stones walk. I bought the press from the widow of a lapidarist - and she had no clue how her husband had used it. The box of loose stuff that came with it had a mayonase-jar cover filled with a wax of some sort. I tried embedding a stone withi the wax and drilling. I works, but it is not the best (the stone is not rigid in the wax - which become v. ductile during drilling). It works well for v. soft mins. (e.g., rhodochrosite and malachite) - but I would turn to my buddy Daniel to drill harder stones (e.g., chert or jade). He uses a drummel(sp?), v. tiny diamond drill bits, and holds the stone in his hands under running water. I don't know how he manages it, but he does a good job. I think patience is a key factor.
Anyway - as far as I'm concerned - you hit the nail on the head with your suggestion. How do you handle findings for your gemstones?
Cheers, Bob
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Post by texaswoodie on Dec 30, 2007 16:25:59 GMT -5
Excellent work! Man, that's a great display also.
Curt
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altamura
starting to shine!
Member since September 2006
Posts: 34
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Post by altamura on Dec 31, 2007 1:03:02 GMT -5
Hi BikerRandy:
Thanks for the msg. and kind words. I can't imagine 400 to 500 pendants at a clip. What do you do w/ them all?
Cheers, Bob
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altamura
starting to shine!
Member since September 2006
Posts: 34
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Post by altamura on Dec 31, 2007 1:07:13 GMT -5
The display uses a piece green foam that is used for flower arrangements. The stones fit firmly into the foam with a little push. It keeps the stones stable at the angle that I want while I glue on my bails. I realize now that it also serves as a nice display too. I know I liked looking at the assemblage - but never thought of as a display until you mentioned it.
Thanks for the feedback!
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