RiverOtter
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 339
|
Amber
Jan 20, 2004 23:39:37 GMT -5
Post by RiverOtter on Jan 20, 2004 23:39:37 GMT -5
Ok I have another question. Does anyone know how to clean and polish amber? I know it is not to be tumbled. So how do you clean it up and make it shine. The place I bought it from had amber polishing kits but the cost of it was almost as much as the amber and it didn't tell you what the kit contained. I don't want to go spend a bunch of money on something I already have lying around. Any ideas?
|
|
Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
|
Amber
Jan 21, 2004 1:37:24 GMT -5
Post by Banjocreek on Jan 21, 2004 1:37:24 GMT -5
If amber is fairly soft, I wonder if you can take a damp cotton cloth with a pinch of cerium oxide and hand polish it? I used to do this with plexi-glass.
|
|
donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
|
Amber
Jan 21, 2004 9:41:58 GMT -5
Post by donwrob on Jan 21, 2004 9:41:58 GMT -5
Hi RiverOtter, I have fooled with amber a little. It is soft and very easy to work by hand. What I did was to use a course file to rough shape the pieces how I wanted them. Next I used course sandpaper, then med. and last fine to work it smooth.( Just like banjos body work ) Very fine steel wool next, then I took a piece of soft leather and wet it along with some cerium oxide polish to buff it to have a nice shine. I just rubbed it on a piece of deer leather laying flat on the table, but if you had a leather buffing disc, it would probably work much better, at least be quicker. Here is a pic of a piece I did. It was just an ugly clump of Baltic amber before I started. It turned out pretty nice and will make a great pendant. Talk to you later, Don
|
|
|
Amber
Jan 21, 2004 11:28:19 GMT -5
Post by hermatite on Jan 21, 2004 11:28:19 GMT -5
Once again I find myself at the keyboard drooling over a pic... that amber is gorgeous Don. Did you buy it? or just come across a piece somehow?
|
|
RiverOtter
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 339
|
Amber
Jan 21, 2004 12:25:13 GMT -5
Post by RiverOtter on Jan 21, 2004 12:25:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Don. Your piece of amber is beautiful. Hope mine turns out as well. Can't wait to give it a try. If anyone is interested here is the link where I bought my amber. minerungems.com/SPECIALS.htmThe price is $12.95 for 3 oz. which seems pretty reasonable to me. The pieces I received are a nice size, between 2 1/2 to 4 inches long. Otter
|
|
donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
|
Amber
Jan 21, 2004 18:13:22 GMT -5
Post by donwrob on Jan 21, 2004 18:13:22 GMT -5
Thanks guys! Yes Herm, I bought that piece at an artifact/gem and mineral show last year. I also bought some Columbian amber from e-bay, but haven't finished any yet. later all, Don
|
|