steveo
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 273
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Post by steveo on Jul 29, 2012 15:11:27 GMT -5
Got this MexOpal from Christopher1234 last year, met at The American Opal Show and it was great. Christopher said he would bring some and he did and was just what he said it would be. I let it set out of water for 6 months to stabilize to see if I could facet. Hope the pictures come out ok. Thanks Christopher   Should have moved dop over about .030 and would be round instead of needing to cut a little more to get one spot cut down to match rest of stone. This is just first set of facets on this stone. |
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Post by talkingstones on Jul 29, 2012 18:39:20 GMT -5
Really cool piece! Please post more photos as you go along as I'd love to see the process of all of this!
Cathy
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Post by christopherl1234 on Jul 29, 2012 23:25:03 GMT -5
Hey Steveo,
Glad to see you working this material. I look forward to seeing more examples of your progress! Hope to see you in November at the opal show!
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steveo
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 273
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Post by steveo on Jul 30, 2012 21:29:29 GMT -5
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Post by Roller on Jul 30, 2012 22:07:27 GMT -5
thats some killer opal ! what are you using to hold the stone ? I dont see wax?
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steveo
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 273
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Post by steveo on Jul 30, 2012 22:18:54 GMT -5
Roller, I'm using Gorilla glue witch is working well for me and doesn't require heat when putting on. I do heat when taking brass dop off but wrap paper towel around dop and stone, drip water on it while heat with flame, about 200 degrees first dop will fall off. New dop and gem remain cool.
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Post by Roller on Jul 31, 2012 10:16:21 GMT -5
drip water on it while heat with flame  I hate dopping but love faceting !!! I usually burn blisters over blisters on my finger tips .. stones popping off arent fun either .. |
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steveo
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 273
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Post by steveo on Aug 1, 2012 9:46:34 GMT -5
Had a few stones popping off too and that's how I ended up using Gorilla glue, seems to work good for me. Tried wax but trying to get stone just where I wanted it moved to much and didn't get great seal. Some stones being heat sensitive using supper glues seemed ok. Here's next picture, it has two rows of facets on the crown but my not so good camera work can't see second set. There will be three more sets, I hope. This cut is Round Brilliant Dome #2 by Jeff R. Graham.  |
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Post by Roller on Aug 1, 2012 21:26:54 GMT -5
cant wait to see it done .. Thanks for showing !
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steveo
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 273
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Post by steveo on Aug 3, 2012 9:22:40 GMT -5
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Post by talkingstones on Aug 5, 2012 6:46:59 GMT -5
How many facets are on that? Came out beautifully!
Cathy
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Post by Roller on Aug 5, 2012 9:51:24 GMT -5
most of the opals Ive seen are not very clear when cut but that one looks like it has some really nice color !
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steveo
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 273
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Post by steveo on Aug 5, 2012 17:42:07 GMT -5
Cathy, this cut is a Round Brilliant Dome #2 by Jeff R Graham that has 85 facets + 12 facets on girdle = 97. When I got to C5, the last row on the crown before putting on the table there wasn't enough material left on the stone so put on table cut to meet C3, C4. Ended up with 85 facets but it looks ok, doesn't show very well with my picture taking.
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Post by christopherl1234 on Oct 15, 2012 1:28:39 GMT -5
That came out well Steve. Have you cut any more??
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on Oct 22, 2012 19:38:40 GMT -5
That came out very nice.
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steveo
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 273
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Post by steveo on Oct 23, 2012 20:44:29 GMT -5
I've faceted a GARNET, CLEAR QUARTZ, PURPLE GLASS and SMOKEY QUARTZ since then and I'm now working on another Opal but it's not Mexican. Having some problems polishing with my Batt. lap 8000 diamond grit, think I over charged it last time.
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I hate dopping but love faceting !!! I usually burn blisters over blisters on my finger tips .. stones popping off arent fun either .. 
