Not Another Boat Topic

[flagold]

I have been out West shooting film, learning to cut gems, and having a blast. A few of you might be interested in some of them:

Opals:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f442tacA6M

Opals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DfrPyp9GV0

Fort Steele:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMvrhNFQRwc

Energy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4I_LWav7YA

Energy -- Texas:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAOUw1XQDhI

________________
Now to get back on the C-Dory and start shooting footage again from it.

Happy Boating!

MM

http://www.youtube.com/flagold

 

[Gregw]

Thanks for the videos, I especially liked the one on energy.

Do you have any photos of the cut / polished opals that you found? What is that process like?

 

[flagold]

Thanks for the videos, I especially liked the one on energy.

Do you have any photos of the cut / polished opals that you found? What is that process like?

Thanks, this is what they look like when cut:



I have not cut any of mine yet, the main purpose of my trip was to learn how from a master cutter: Doyle Boyington, before he retires. That done, I have to set up my own "shop" -- actually, all that is needed is a small corner of a room/boat/RV to do so.

Here is what is needed:



A lapidary machine (look them up on ebay, etc.) -- here I am cutting a ruby.



I bought a Lee lapidary machine from a commercial gem cutting shop a few years ago (and that is my machine Doyle is training me to use), but I would recommend a Facetron, as it is now pretty much the standard and is much easier to use.

http://www.facetron.com/facetron.html

Small, lightweight, easy to cut with, and takes very little space (in fact, none of the machines are big, from any mfg. Facetron, Lee, Omni . . .)

Doyle Boyington:

 

[Gregw]

The first photo in your post did not show.

It looks like he has a tool to index the gem to cut each of the facets, is that correct? How are opals cut, or are they just polished?

 

[flagold]

The first photo in your post did not show.

It looks like he has a tool to index the gem to cut each of the facets, is that correct? How are opals cut, or are they just polished?

That is exactly what the lapidary machine does, correct. Opals are done both ways, depending on the type of stone.

You would need to take a course (many community colleges have them) or look up a local rock and gem club, or, seek out a gemstone cutter to give you the basics of cutting.