herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on May 7, 2013 17:41:22 GMT -5
I traded for this large, pretty piece of Utah Variscite from Steve Holmes over on the Facebook Lapidary Swap Shop. I am very happy with it. Here are a couple photos: My question is, I've never cut this before and I am trying to determine if I should break it up, knocking off the matrix to get to the green stone. (option a) Or Should I just slab it all together, with the white Matrix (option b) Or Would this one not do well being cut, and I should leave it as a pretty yard rock? Any experienced folks have any insight? Thanks all!
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bhiatt
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2012
Posts: 1,532
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Post by bhiatt on May 7, 2013 17:50:41 GMT -5
I wanted that thing when I seen it on there. It didnt last long. I didnt know you were the one who got it. Thats cool. Its a pretty nice specimen if you ask me.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on May 7, 2013 17:52:36 GMT -5
Yeah, I couldn't believe I actually got a chance to trade for it. I do have other Variscite but this has really pretty greens in it.
Sent from my phone.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,623
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Post by QuailRiver on May 7, 2013 18:11:56 GMT -5
Nice piece of variscite! If you do decide to slab it, only use water for coolant.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on May 7, 2013 18:30:20 GMT -5
Hmm, I only have an oil saw. I was planning on soaking it overnight in water first to keep the oil from soaking in.
Sent from my phone.
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on May 7, 2013 19:32:56 GMT -5
if you do cut in oil have a bucket with hot water and Dawn dish soap to soak them in. I just slab and don't worry about the matrix untill I preform to cab
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Post by orrum on May 7, 2013 20:48:11 GMT -5
Soak ur turquoise, chrysocolla overnite in water no matter what coolant u use. It will fracture less that way, get much nicer slabs. If its soft you can back it with Devcon. If its gemmy then use a very thin blade n slice it 1/8 and back.it cause its very expensive and awesome lookin! I have some Lucin varicite that about a third of a piece of rough is great stuff and the rest just crumbles away but is the solid stuff ever pretty cabbed!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on May 8, 2013 11:07:11 GMT -5
That rock is totally outstanding,it really "POPS"!!!!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on May 8, 2013 11:51:52 GMT -5
thanks all. I am not yet sure if I should slab it or not, the green is really pretty. Thinking through it there is no rush to cut it up, I have some other green stuff I need to slab and cab anyhow.
I am wondering though if I soaked it in water if the crumbly part would be easier to get off with a rock hammer, if I could work out the green from the matrix that would be cool and would let me do a better job slabbing to begin with.
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Post by catmandewe on May 8, 2013 13:21:02 GMT -5
I have a big bin of that stuff and I cut it in oil all the time, I just clean the slabs off right away and never have had a problem. I just leave the matrix on, it gives you something to grab onto.
Tony
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