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Post by sparkles on Dec 28, 2008 12:55:06 GMT -5
Hiya Stone Polishers, Yup - I’ve been a busy beaver in the last few days. As I’ve now leapt in to the fun and got my feet wet my confidence has grown considerably. I decided to push my luck a little and cut another Ocean Jasper - “Romanian Style” ;D But with a low groove and near flat back, how low can you go?! I decided to find out! I cut the preform from a 7mm thick slab, the stone is 28x18mm and the groove was cut as close to the back of the stone as I dared, I was concerned that the brittle OJ may crack or splinter, but I was lucky and the groove cut cleanly, although I opted to leave it on the shallow side about 1mm deep. I domed the face and then polished it through on my diamond pads, the resulting face was very pleasing, and then came the reversal, I had to tackle the back! I ground it smooth on the 600 grit steel lap, and then rocked the stone to cut a small 45o bevel around the edge, a few swishes against the lap and I went straight to the smoothing and sanding pads, there was very little edge to work with, and mistakes would be obvious. I was lucky, and the finished gem was more or less what I set out to cut, here’s a piccy of the stone and groove edge before I wrapped it up. After wrapping I was really happy with the effect, I shall leave a little more in future as my nerves may not take cutting too many of those But I had fun and the final result was worth the effort. I hope you enjoyed this one, I certainly had fun cutting it! Thanks for looking, Cheers, Sparkles.
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CUL-Ann
spending too much on rocks
rock lover~
Member since September 2008
Posts: 380
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Post by CUL-Ann on Dec 28, 2008 13:35:45 GMT -5
NICE
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 28, 2008 14:02:24 GMT -5
That's beautiful!! Great job on the cab and the wire, very nice
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Post by sitnwrap on Dec 28, 2008 15:07:27 GMT -5
That turned out beautiful . I can see why your nerves were stretched thin but just looking at the pic it was worth it. That shine on that cab is amazing.
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Tigger
freely admits to licking rocks
The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers is I'm the Only One!
Member since January 2008
Posts: 896
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Post by Tigger on Dec 28, 2008 16:56:16 GMT -5
WOW Harry! Great job there Buddy! You certainly put a shine on that OJ and a groove wrap! You are definatley steppin it up. How do you like your new cabber? Isn't it sweet to start a cab and see the finished product in a few hours instead of a few months with tumbling? Keep up the grea twork and keep the piccys coming Buddy!
Tigger
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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 28, 2008 17:28:34 GMT -5
Fantastic Cab and Groove Wrap! Definitely keep those pics coming. How are you cutting your Groove?? Steve
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Dec 28, 2008 19:20:24 GMT -5
Sparkles, it's gorgeous!! What a shine, and the cab is stunning. WOW!!!
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Post by frane on Dec 28, 2008 21:45:41 GMT -5
That really turned out well! Every last piece of OJ that I have has vugs and pits in it so I am always amazed when someone can do such a beautiful job with it! I love the colors and patterns in that one too! Fran
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Post by Bejewelme on Dec 28, 2008 22:57:06 GMT -5
Harry: That is BEAUTIFUL!!!! You have gotten so good so quickly, with everything, you are a man with many skills here lately. I think those groove wraps are just the best compliment to the stones, it sets them off so nicely. I like that OJ with the bands and spots.
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Post by Lady B on Dec 28, 2008 23:34:25 GMT -5
Simply beautiful, Harry!! But then I would never expect any less from you. You have paid the OJ and our buddy Adrian tremendous tributes!
Well done, Sir. Well done!
Lady B
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Dec 29, 2008 0:00:56 GMT -5
That turned out really well. Great shine on that cab.
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Post by Tony W on Dec 29, 2008 1:06:18 GMT -5
You have nerves of steel and great luck, I expect Nicely done, but dangerous I would think. Looks great though.... so well worth the shakes and cold sweat T
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,786
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 29, 2008 3:38:27 GMT -5
Beautiful pendant Harry! That groove is so well cut and you were so lucky and skillful not to break the thin edge behind it.
Adrian
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Post by sparkles on Dec 29, 2008 8:30:12 GMT -5
Hey Folks! I’ve just about calmed down my nerves after cutting this groovy pendant. That was a seriously thin edge and I’m amazed it didn’t crumble and crack on me, I was most chuffed with the result. Adrian’s Grooves are something very special I have to agree. The amount of stone that you can show and the true beauty of the piece are allowed to really shine through on these styles, and I have to say these have rapidly become my favourite types of stone to cut. There will undoubtedly be more to follow! ;D The nature of OJ and that druzy open structure were both sides of the same coin to me. When I polished my first tumbles of OJ I realised pretty quickly that those small pits and druzys would put an end to my quest for perfection, and rather than a negative, this became a really liberating positive. “I could have tumbled them longer, but they won’t get any better”, and so that’s the way I go at this stuff, you do the best you can and enjoy the results. It’s such a beautiful stone though hey?! Cheers, Sparkles.
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Post by NatureNut on Dec 29, 2008 8:41:41 GMT -5
Well, puff your chest out with pride there Harry, 'cause you definitely hit gorgeous. Nice work! Jo
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Post by BuiltonRock on Dec 29, 2008 10:12:30 GMT -5
Harry that is an amazing cut, polish and wrap. Nerves of steel! I would say.
What kerf blade did you cut your groove with? Seems very thin.
Thanks for sharing. Nice to see Lady B post too!!
John
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