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Post by fishenman on Feb 12, 2011 23:14:55 GMT -5
Hi everybody! I made my wife a valentines day gift. my first smithing creation. The stone is Cobaltoan calcite and is dime sized. A very basic pendant, I made a few errors and learned some too. I forgot to sand the top of the bezel before I set the stone and there is a slight step just above the bail and I should have filed the junction of the bail and the bezel with a triangular file to clean up the area. The polish looks better than the 15x photos, although it could be better. I'm happy with it and my wife loves it so it really came out perfect. Thanks for looking      Geoff |
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 13, 2011 0:25:07 GMT -5
I think it looks great, but the Mrs. liking it is what really matters. Way to go Geoff!
Nate
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Feb 13, 2011 1:07:29 GMT -5
It looks fabtastic! You made that frame nice and tight around the stone. I like the ancient look, tha bail adds to this.
Doesn't it need a jump ring? It could be wearable this way to, but it would twist the chain/cord.
Adrian
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 13, 2011 2:38:38 GMT -5
Looks great , the stone is beautifull and dimply !
I would also say you need a jump ring ,to fit it to a chain,
To me the designer has created another mini heart in the holder above finishing off the design,
I think its a great first piece keep going and you will turn out some amazing pendants ,
I would say just one thing there is a few scratches on the back,
Getting a good high gloss finish is like rock polishing you have to go through your grades of wet/dry sand papers 220 G, 400 G, 600 G, 1200 G, then a Rouge buff followed by a Luster buff,
jack
Yorkshire uk
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Feb 13, 2011 9:28:49 GMT -5
Sure is pretty! I love the stone you used!
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metalartz
having dreams about rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 69
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Post by metalartz on Feb 13, 2011 10:28:01 GMT -5
I think its a great first piece keep going and you will turn out some amazing work.
Silver could use some finishing/ polish to make the piece shine.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Feb 13, 2011 11:46:13 GMT -5
I think it's a beautiful stone and an amazing first effort. However, I don't like the jump ring idea. Just my opinion ONLY but I think your piece is strong enough that it's worth re-doing so that the bail at the top is properly oriented, rather than doing an "after the fact" quickie fix with a jump ring. I have a couple of photos of a piece my husband made in a class about 15 years ago, also one of his first (only!) efforts to show you what I mean. I quickly snapped these photographs just now, without cleaning the piece first, so I hope you'll excuse the quality of the pix. The point is that with this orientation, I can wear the piece easily without it turning around or twisting. I can change it easily, sometimes wearing it with the suede thong for a casual look or sometimes wearing it on a sterling silver chain. As others point out, with your bail oriented as is, there could be twisting, and the stone might not display properly.   I think this is the only decent-sized piece of Malachite/Azurite I ever cut -- an expensive material at the time and then the perception of it got cheapened because someone started producing some kind of processed Malachite/Azurite. Sigh. Why do they do that? But this necklace still gets compliments, and certainly your lovely Cobalto Calcite will earn them too. You made a very good decision to choose a quality stone for your first piece. When we are making mistakes and sometimes having to re-do, it's good to know that the final product will be WELL worth the extra time. I have worn this piece for 15 years now, and it will keep going for many more -- it's a timeless style that shows off the stone. That's the beauty of the bezel setting. I really think the time you take to re-do the bail will pay off, because your wife will likely wear the piece for many, many, many years to come. |
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Post by fishenman on Feb 13, 2011 13:59:16 GMT -5
Thank you very much for the comments. I tried to change the bail but my wife said no way and put a jump ring on it. I asked if I could re-polish it and I got another no. I will make the next ones with proper bails and a better polish. ;D
Geoff
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Feb 13, 2011 18:36:56 GMT -5
Well, you know what that means. She couldn't wait a moment longer to start wearing it. Don't blame her -- it is truly a beauty!!!
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 13, 2011 21:53:06 GMT -5
Peachfront, I'm working on both types of settings right now. The problem I have with both, especially like what you have displayed here, is that the pendant tends to lean forward. Probably not a big deal, but if it happens to hang right between a very large set of... well, you know whats, then you actually lose view of it as when it tips forward it's just gone. Believe me, my wife complained about one disappearing between her boobs so got "first hand" knowledge of this as I told her, "no problem, here, let me get it out for you"... yes, my hand still stings....
Anyway, trying to work a way to have the bail portion pulled up and over the pendant so it hangs straighter.
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ltpaulbtv
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 198
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Post by ltpaulbtv on Feb 13, 2011 22:29:48 GMT -5
Very nice work! Everyone is unique and special!
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Post by frane on Feb 16, 2011 20:48:03 GMT -5
Oh, that is beautiful! What a neat looking stone and the setting is great!
Fran
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aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on Feb 19, 2011 12:31:36 GMT -5
Lucky lady!
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sleuthgal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 46
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Post by sleuthgal on Feb 19, 2011 13:05:21 GMT -5
 Beautiful!! Love the druzy!!
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Beautiful!! Love the druzy!!
