transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459 
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Post by transcendental on Feb 29, 2016 12:59:44 GMT -5
Just got these in the mail. I had planned to use them in a setting that would hide the backs but when they got here and I looked them over the backs all have iridescence which I don't really want to cover up. The shell on the backs is really flaky tho. Is there a way to stabilize it so i can put them in a two sided setting? Adding a link to the images so i dont flood the post with pics imgur.com/a/BL9SI |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718 
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 29, 2016 13:12:37 GMT -5
Liking the sutures on the backs....Look's like they are all Moroccan ammy's...There is a cyanoacrylate called "Hot Stuff" ...It works great! I order mine from www.kingsleynorth.comI use it on my Ammy's and Baculites most of the time.. |
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transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459
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Post by transcendental on Feb 29, 2016 13:18:30 GMT -5
Thanks, and thanks. Not sure their origins, got them on ebay shipped from china. Some are a bit thin and I'll probably just keep them as specimens but the thicker ones would make nice jewelry.
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Post by radio on Feb 29, 2016 17:25:41 GMT -5
Pick up a bottle of Star Bond off the internet. Awesome stuff and doesn't yellow like many of the epoxies. Never used the Hot Stuff Fossilman recommended, but probably very close to the same stuff as Star Bond.
These guys are very delicate and the edges chip easily as well as fracture easily along the chambers. I quite spending all that time doing double sided mounts, so wrap the edges with masking tape and fill the back with Devcon plastic steel. Haven't had a single one break after using that stuff
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transcendental
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
Posts: 459
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Post by transcendental on Feb 29, 2016 21:37:38 GMT -5
so wrap the edges with masking tape and fill the back with Devcon plastic steel. Haven't had a single one break after using that stuff Can you tell me more info on how you do this? I saw your other post and was curious. I'd like to use at least 2 of these for my original purchasing purpose and plastic steel might help me out but i need more info. Thanks |
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Post by radio on Mar 1, 2016 8:39:45 GMT -5
You can also use JB Weld if you can't find the Devcon, but Rio and Indian Jewelers supply usually has it.
I tear off enough tape to go around the ammonite twice. I stick it very lightly to a clean surface, then use a sharp knife to cut it a 1/4 inch or so wide, depending on the size of the ammonite.
I press the tape to the shell as close as possible to the flat surface and work my way around, pressing the tape enough to make it adhere to the shell. The object is to form a wall around what was the outside of the shell while leaving the polished interior face exposed.
If too wide of a piece of tape is used , one has to fold it over the polished face and the shell usually sets at an odd angle causing the plastic steel to pool more at the low end. It's a tedious, messy task until you get the hang of it, but it works really well.
After the steel cures, I unwrap and grind the back flat on the cabbing unit. Larger shells will require a good part of the actual shell to be ground down leaving the steel only around the outer edges of the shell. I use 3/16" tall bezel and grind the shells just slightly thinner so the bezel will fold over the edge and hold the shell in place.
I also cut a slight bevel around the face of the ammonite much like a cabochon so the bezel lays a bit below the flat face of the shell
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 1, 2016 9:20:42 GMT -5
If you all get the chance,try to buy some American Ammonites,they are more stable and easier to work with.....I only have a few smaller ones in my collection,but I know they are out there...
Many are from SD and Montana...
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Post by radio on Mar 1, 2016 9:30:06 GMT -5
If you all get the chance,try to buy some American Ammonites,they are more stable and easier to work with.....I only have a few smaller ones in my collection,but I know they are out there... Many are from SD and Montana... I have seen a few whole ones, but never sliced one open, or seen any offered that had been cut and polished. Are they as pretty inside as the Morrocan variety? The guy I buy most of mine from pretty much cherry picks his shipment and offers me me the best ones at a premium, but still quite reasonable. He knows I like the Blondes  |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 1, 2016 20:23:03 GMT -5
If you look back on the fossil forum to the very first few pages,I have my ammonites and small scaphites on the photo pages........
My opinion,the American ammonites and scaphites have more color..........
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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 Mar 4, 2016 11:42:02 GMT -5
The ammonites from SE Alberta and to a lesser extent SW Saskatchewan and N Montana are the very best in the world. No others can compare to them. Having said that I have only seen the little halves from Morocco:)
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 4, 2016 12:38:34 GMT -5
The ammonites they sell from Morocco are somewhat like the scaphites here in the states and lower Canada....Our ammonites,we wouldn't dare cut....To beautiful...
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