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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jan 16, 2022 11:49:41 GMT -5
We got a small pail of Montana "slabs" in the 4mm thickness range. Rejects and leftovers from whomever sliced them up.
Sorted through them and found some worth working for small jewelry pieces. Large flat is 19"x13", small flat is 13"x9". First pic is the whole lot.
Posting them to go along with other recent Montana threads. The yield from the rough was probably as low as others have said is typical.
Second pic are the ones that looked most interesting - definitely the smallest group. Third pic is the "maybe" pile.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 16, 2022 12:55:51 GMT -5
That's a lot of Montanas. Looks like you have some nice ones, too.
I'll just say it- because no one asked me and this post reminded me of it- I hate that sellers typically sell really thin slabs of a lot of material. I know what you said about this possibly being rejects, but I have seen so many super thin slices of plume material. I can understand why on several levels, but I still don't like it. Call it a pet peeve. I mean you can thin out a thick stone, but you can't add to a thin one unless it is a doublet. Doublets seem like a devalued and less desirable option.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 16, 2022 14:22:35 GMT -5
There really are some pretty cool looking slabs in that batch!
I'm with Tela. I've learned how to work thin slabs...I just haven't learned how to "like" working thin slabs! LOL
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 16, 2022 14:29:15 GMT -5
There really are some pretty cool looking slabs in that batch! I'm with Tela. I've learned how to work thin slabs...I just haven't learned how to "like" working thin slabs! LOL Yeah, 4mm is ok, but any thinner and it's a little ridiculous. Most of the nice plumes I see are like 3mm. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Jan 16, 2022 14:32:40 GMT -5
There really are some pretty cool looking slabs in that batch! I'm with Tela. I've learned how to work thin slabs...I just haven't learned how to "like" working thin slabs! LOL Yeah, 4mm is ok, but any thinner and it's a little ridiculous. Most of the nice plumes I see are like 3mm. Part of my issue with it, I prefer to make medium to medium large cabs versus smaller cabs. Trying to work a 3mm thick slab for one of my "normal" size cabs give me about 0.5mm of material to work over an area 1.5"x1"...or larger in some cases. I know...just make smaller cabs! Right!?! LOL |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 16, 2022 14:34:43 GMT -5
Yeah, 4mm is ok, but any thinner and it's a little ridiculous. Most of the nice plumes I see are like 3mm. Part of my issue with it, I prefer to make medium to medium large cabs versus smaller cabs. Trying to work a 3mm thick slab for one of my "normal" size cabs give me about 0.5mm of material to work over an area 1.5"x1"...or larger in some cases. I know...just make smaller cabs! Right!?! LOL I hear ya!!! |
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jan 16, 2022 15:11:27 GMT -5
If there are no excessive saw marks 4mm is tolerable. Since they're going to be very low domes - almost flat - I change my method a bit and use light slow strokes on the wheel from the girdle line toward the center. Rotate the cab a bit and repeat, all the way around. Can spin it on the finer grits after setting that first angle.
There are some interesting pieces in there. Especially some of the heels.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 16, 2022 15:14:26 GMT -5
I HATE thin slabs! I'm a stickler for at least 6mm slabs; 7mm is better. I'm always moaning at Vince when he slabs stuff less than that.
These were in that estate that we picked up from our friend who moved into assisted living. I'm going to be putting her house on the market in a couple of weeks and we had to get some of that stuff out of there.
I did decide that some of those slabs will make decent pieces for nightlights and I can make some of those and sell them at our show. There were quite a few with turtle back patterns which would look really nice backlit. I'm also considering backing some of them with different colored glass to make some doublets. I'll make a couple to see if I like them.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 16, 2022 16:56:59 GMT -5
I HATE thin slabs! I'm a stickler for at least 6mm slabs; 7mm is better. I'm always moaning at Vince when he slabs stuff less than that. These were in that estate that we picked up from our friend who moved into assisted living. I'm going to be putting her house on the market in a couple of weeks and we had to get some of that stuff out of there. I did decide that some of those slabs will make decent pieces for nightlights and I can make some of those and sell them at our show. There were quite a few with turtle back patterns which would look really nice backlit. I'm also considering backing some of them with different colored glass to make some doublets. I'll make a couple to see if I like them. I bet night lights will be a good use for some of those.  |
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brotherbill
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2018
Posts: 388
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Post by brotherbill on Jan 16, 2022 18:20:29 GMT -5
I HATE thin slabs! I'm a stickler for at least 6mm slabs; 7mm is better. I'm always moaning at Vince when he slabs stuff less than that. These were in that estate that we picked up from our friend who moved into assisted living. I'm going to be putting her house on the market in a couple of weeks and we had to get some of that stuff out of there. I did decide that some of those slabs will make decent pieces for nightlights and I can make some of those and sell them at our show. There were quite a few with turtle back patterns which would look really nice backlit. I'm also considering backing some of them with different colored glass to make some doublets. I'll make a couple to see if I like them. Clear Montana Moss make great doublets, particularly on red backgrounds. I have some deep red mookaite that looks great. I have used red jasper as well. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 16, 2022 19:26:22 GMT -5
I HATE thin slabs! I'm a stickler for at least 6mm slabs; 7mm is better. I'm always moaning at Vince when he slabs stuff less than that. These were in that estate that we picked up from our friend who moved into assisted living. I'm going to be putting her house on the market in a couple of weeks and we had to get some of that stuff out of there. I did decide that some of those slabs will make decent pieces for nightlights and I can make some of those and sell them at our show. There were quite a few with turtle back patterns which would look really nice backlit. I'm also considering backing some of them with different colored glass to make some doublets. I'll make a couple to see if I like them. Clear Montana Moss make great doublets, particularly on red backgrounds. I have some deep red mookaite that looks great. I have used red jasper as well. Thanks for the tip! We have some red jasper and a few other colors that should work well. |
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Post by holajonathan on Jan 16, 2022 23:20:12 GMT -5
I HATE thin slabs! I'm a stickler for at least 6mm slabs; 7mm is better. I'm always moaning at Vince when he slabs stuff less than that. These were in that estate that we picked up from our friend who moved into assisted living. I'm going to be putting her house on the market in a couple of weeks and we had to get some of that stuff out of there. I did decide that some of those slabs will make decent pieces for nightlights and I can make some of those and sell them at our show. There were quite a few with turtle back patterns which would look really nice backlit. I'm also considering backing some of them with different colored glass to make some doublets. I'll make a couple to see if I like them. Clear Montana Moss make great doublets, particularly on red backgrounds. I have some deep red mookaite that looks great. I have used red jasper as well. Great idea for some deep red (but otherwise uninteresting) Mook that I've got on the shelf. Thanks! |
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 17, 2022 1:10:09 GMT -5
Could be that whoever cut those thin was looking for iris in them, or they were at the powwow and bought Garys rejects from him.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 17, 2022 8:55:52 GMT -5
No offense to anyone, but I really, really dislike plumes backed with color. They remind me of dyed Brazilians. I'd rather have a slightly thicker slab and get a natural stone.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jan 17, 2022 9:04:59 GMT -5
I think they came from someone in Phoenix who made jewelry or sold "select" cabs. There are several with bits sawn out of them.
No matter where they originated, there were enough usable pieces in there to make it worth sorting.
We have a box of whole ones I can cut thicker slabs from for Robin, and the night light project could be interesting for the thin ones.
rockjunquie - I'm not a big fan, either. Have seen color-backed doublets that were interesting, but would never have bought one. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 17, 2022 9:08:40 GMT -5
Could be that whoever cut those thin was looking for iris in them, or they were at the powwow and bought Garys rejects from him. It's possible. I'm really clueless why anyone would pay money for them, though.  |
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rewdownunder
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 357
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Post by rewdownunder on Jan 17, 2022 12:19:58 GMT -5
I have seen these super thin agate slabs in old collections before. Some as thin as 2mm. As they often come in large numbers someone was cutting them that thin for a reason. If you are looking for iris agates the only way I know is to just cut them that thin and check them out. A recent collection I looked at must have had 200 super thin cuts of various material. No idea of what they were going to use them for. If someone has a good idea for "slabs" that thin let me know as there is a box of them somewhere around here. I have seen a few of them set in stain glass projects.
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Post by mohs on Jan 17, 2022 12:28:47 GMT -5
Somewhere in the archives
there is a back lit project at Q
Butte that was long ago
in another time ...
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