did a litttle work today

gunsil · May 20, 2016

I got a request for some simple single stone necklaces with blue stones, my choice of materials. Although I really don't like making plain oval cabs I sometimes have to honor requests, so these five turned out alright. Lapis, azurite/malachite that has silica saturation, chrysocolla/malachite also with some silica saturation, labradorite, and a variscite even though it's not blue. Light wasn't optimum for pics, but I like to get at least an idea of my work photoed. Oh, they are approximately 20x15mm and I hand held them, did not use a dop stick.

Oddjob · May 20, 2016

That is some nice work. I always thought that folks who did that had a great skill. Man I get frustrated polishing weapon parts, let me try a stone and I would loose a finger.

EricTheCat · May 20, 2016

Very nice work, thanks for sharing. Having hand held polished small stones myself I find it impressive you were able to hold on to those pieces.

kcm · May 20, 2016

Nice stones. Yes, pretty small for hand-held. My fingers don't like such small pieces!

gunsil · May 21, 2016

Oddjob said:
That is some nice work. I always thought that folks who did that had a great skill. Man I get frustrated polishing weapon parts, let me try a stone and I would loose a finger.

Actually we grind and sand with diamond belts and wheels that run in a water bath and it is extremely hard to cut yourself while doing lapidary work. The diamond saws have no teeth, run in either an oil or water bath and one can actually touch a running blade edge and not cut oneself. The belts I use are mounted on expando drums and unless you stick your finger down along side the spinning drum they won't bite you.

Thank you all for your compliments.