SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Aug 15, 2009 23:29:47 GMT -5
I had no idea that this little limb cast from Blue Eden Wyoming contained Iris until I emptied my tumbler and the piece that was in there called for me to hold it up to the sun. It was an end piece about 1/4" thick and it had the iris effect. I was so excited! I decided to take a few more slices off the limb cast...and super thin. I'd say an 1/8"....and I'm suprised it held together. There's enough for at least 5 or 6 more slices off the limb...just praying it all holds together. So....anyone want to advise me on how I should work Iris. If I want to do a cab...I guess it will have to be a doublet...but will the Iris effect still show through?? Steve Steve
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Post by NatureNut on Aug 15, 2009 23:40:50 GMT -5
Wow Steve! That's a gorgeous slice. I didn't even know what Iris was, I had to look it up.
From the web:
"you have to cut it *very* thinly, 1/16th inch or less, for a good chance to see the effect. The cut should be perpendicular to the layers, you will know you have it right as the material will go from pretty clear to frosted by just turning it off-axis. It should look as clear as possible looking in perpendicular to the slab face."
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Post by parfive on Aug 15, 2009 23:57:46 GMT -5
Great find, Steve. That little slice looks like blazer!
Should get even better when you polish up the saw cut. I'd also try for a thinner slice - the thinner the better.
Rich
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Post by rockchalk on Aug 16, 2009 6:47:43 GMT -5
Very sweet iris, I guess you could try stabilising the end before you take a thinner slice- I don't think that would effect the prism but I've never had an iris that I was chasing through a whole chunk. The doublet idea is very interesting, I would love to know if that works! Happy cutting! Congrats!
Scott
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Post by texaswoodie on Aug 16, 2009 7:49:17 GMT -5
Way cool Steve. No advice from me. I've never worked anything like that. Be sure to show us what you come up with.
Curt
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Post by bobby1 on Aug 16, 2009 11:52:13 GMT -5
Steve, I've never gone beyond polishing the flat slab. I'd be very interested in seeing a cab or doublet of it! Bob
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Post by stonesthatrock on Aug 16, 2009 21:23:41 GMT -5
damn, i have never seen anything like that....... wtg mary ann
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Aug 18, 2009 2:08:12 GMT -5
Thats awsome
Ive never seen that before its so spectacular
If its thin you could work a silver ring if bezel wire round it, to make a pendant ,
I did a agate geode slice like this last year and it is quite spectacular
Jack Yorkshire UK
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Post by bobby1 on Aug 18, 2009 16:20:11 GMT -5
One of the unfortunate requirements of iris Agate is that it needs a strong back light to exhibit the Iris effect. I have never seen it effectively displayed in a jewelry setting. I'm not sure if there is a way of setting it in jewelry. Maybe earrings?? Bob
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Aug 18, 2009 16:49:36 GMT -5
That's a really nice iris! I'd be tempted to make a nice display box for it with a back light.
Chuck
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Post by MyNewHobby on Aug 18, 2009 17:39:33 GMT -5
Dang ... that is really pretty!!!
I have never heard of an Iris.
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wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
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Post by wyobrian on Aug 18, 2009 21:26:15 GMT -5
WOW Steve right close to home i gotta get out more very cool Brian
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Aug 20, 2009 12:09:29 GMT -5
Very nice Steve! For cabbing, you could put a quartz cap on it. That shouldn't interfere with the optical pattern. I wonder how it would look with a piece of mirror behind it to reflect light back out?
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