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Post by radio on Dec 25, 2013 11:41:13 GMT -5
Finished this one not long ago with a marching set of earrings, but didn't get pics of those before they sold. I also make cuff bracelets and rings out of Ammonites. Day before yesterday a guy bought his wife a matching set of a pendant, a ring, earrings and a bracelet.  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2013 12:34:53 GMT -5
That is way over the top and your work matches the perfect stone.
Jim
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Dec 25, 2013 12:37:11 GMT -5
That is really nice. Is the silver just around the edges or on the back to
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Post by radio on Dec 25, 2013 12:51:40 GMT -5
That is really nice. Is the silver just around the edges or on the back to Thanks for the compliments. I have seen Ammonites edge wrapped in bezel, but the back on all my work is 22ga sterling stamped with .925 and my initials. I don't make a cutout either to save silver like so many do. Translucent stones are the only exception so light can shine through for effect. I'll see if I can round up another photo   |
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Dec 25, 2013 17:27:51 GMT -5
Great looking pieces.
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Post by 1dave on Dec 26, 2013 20:02:14 GMT -5
Often the stone back is too spectacular to hide!
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Post by radio on Dec 26, 2013 20:24:07 GMT -5
Often the stone back is too spectacular to hide! True, dat! However, when I set mine in sterling I grind them flat on the back so they set level. If they are very thin on the edges, or look like they will crack, I will back them with Devcon liquid steel before grinding flat. Wire wrapping will show both sides, but for my tastes most wire wrappers get too carried away and the wire design becomes the focus and not the stone |
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Post by connrock on Dec 27, 2013 8:14:51 GMT -5
Very nice!
Did you make the bail for the ammonite pendant?
connrock
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Post by radio on Dec 27, 2013 9:18:49 GMT -5
Very nice! Did you make the bail for the ammonite pendant? connrock Thanks. The bail on this one was bought from a jewelry supply. I usually make my own, just not with the fancy design in it. |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,595 
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 27, 2013 21:41:24 GMT -5
Now I know who to see,when I find my ammonites in Montana.....
Great work!
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Post by radio on Dec 27, 2013 21:51:54 GMT -5
Now I know who to see,when I find my ammonites in Montana..... Great work! Cool! I can fix ya up. I started on a Trilobite ring this afternoon. Cute lil' bugger about 15mm long, but on a very thin plate so I backed him with plastic steel. Nothing fancy on the ring. Just a plain, tall bezel and a split shank. I have a few really nice, but slightly larger 'Bites that I will make a fancy mounting and see if they sell. Folks really seem to like Fossils in jewelry if they are done well. |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,595
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 28, 2013 0:31:14 GMT -5
I hunt ammonite,baculite and scaphites in Montana..The baculites make great pieces too.....I keep all the small fossils too,always thought someone could do something with them....Thumbs up
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Post by connrock on Dec 28, 2013 6:40:19 GMT -5
I would guess that the bail is cast?
The more I look at it the more I want to make one (or more) but I don't do castings so I'd have to fabricate it which would be a project! LOL
Something to think about!
connrock
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Post by radio on Dec 28, 2013 9:58:27 GMT -5
I would guess that the bail is cast? The more I look at it the more I want to make one (or more) but I don't do castings so I'd have to fabricate it which would be a project! LOL Something to think about! connrock Yes, the bail is cast and came from Sante Fe Jewlery Supply. I had bought a few of them some time ago and never used them. I was pawing through my stash not long ago and came across them and thought it would go good with an Ammonite. I silver solder the ring closed so there is no danger of it coming open and loosing the pendant. Of course the torch obliterates the paint in the recesses, so I dip the bail in Liver of Sulpher and polish the highlights to restore the original look. I normally hand fabricate all of my own bails with either sheet or double half round wire and then split it with the saw Here is a link to the bails on SFJS www.sfjssantafe.com/itemstable.php?Gid=F059&ItemSet=Sterling+Silver+Bails&DepId=findings&ot=&at= |
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Dec 28, 2013 10:02:07 GMT -5
I make most of mine as well but thanks for the link.
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Post by radio on Dec 28, 2013 10:04:20 GMT -5
I hunt ammonite,baculite and scaphites in Montana..The baculites make great pieces too.....I keep all the small fossils too,always thought someone could do something with them....Thumbs up Do you have any Baculites with the pattern preserved on the shell? Some rectangles of that polished up would make some cool jewelry! Do you hunt Sapphires as well? If I were younger I would live in Montana! I spent a year in Anaconda when I was a teenager and fell in love with the Big Sky Country! |
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Post by connrock on Dec 29, 2013 7:47:54 GMT -5
I haven't done much silver work in quite a while now but when I do,I try to make everything myself.Making a bail like that is WAY beyond my ability but I do like it. I learned the hard way by trial and mostly error with no past experience and with very little help. When I made this pendant for my wife I well knew I had "peaked out" in my ability in working with silver,,,,hard for me to except that but I eventually did,,,,,,  You can see the gold filled wire better here,,,,,  connrock |
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Misplaced Aussie
starting to shine!
Shoulda left it there
Member since February 2012
Posts: 40
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Post by Misplaced Aussie on Dec 29, 2013 8:46:26 GMT -5
Oh Oh, looks like another silver piece coming up for Tom
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Dec 29, 2013 17:49:11 GMT -5
Wow that is stunning, you really don't need to get any better thats a pro job!!!
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Dec 30, 2013 9:18:45 GMT -5
Conrock, did you make the actual bail proper? Where the chain runs through. If so how did you get the raised edges? Is that square wire soldered to silver plate. Over all that'a a piece of art you need to be proud of that one.
Tom
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X - Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's rocks
- O Henry
