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[Talusman]

Hi all,

I'd like to try carving - I have some gem serpentine from a classic locality here in PA. I figure I'll start with a slab/preform and carve out a design, then sand a polish. My question is, what tools to use? A handheld rotary? fixed rotary? Do I need burrs in all the sanding/polishing stages? I'd never really considered carving but some of the pieces here are so nice! Thanks for any advice, or links to an existing thread if there is one.

Some photos of my material - as well as one of a Jadeite pendant I inherited from my grandmother many years ago - that's the style of carving I'd like to try.

Thanks!

-Jeremy

[Asianfire]

Everyone does things a bit different, but here are my tools. http://brilliantchallenge.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=15234742

[Jhon P]

Serpentine is soft and easy to carve. Go by harbor freight and get you a set of diamond burrs. I wouldn't invest a lot of money intill you can decide how involved you want to get.
You won't be able to get the intricate carving that is like the jade you posted a picture of. The serpentine will chip and break. Jade is used for carvings like that because it is felted and is harder to break. Good luck and have fun doing it

[Talusman]

Thanks for the tip on cheap diamond burs. I ordered a set online for $3.60 with free shipping (how do they do that???)

I sliced a thin slab from the end cut and will start on that - maybe try a feather or something. It's a nice semi-transparent bottle green. One of the nice things about this material is it doesn't flake or splinter - cuts very nicely. Here's a link to a carving that was done from similar material from this locality (not mine!).

http://www.gemdat.org/photo-5895.html

[Jhon P]

That's a pretty cool carving. You can see where the carver left the edges thick to avoid breaking. Go for if it's great fun. Start simple, a feather would be good. I would like a big piece of that to make a sphere out of

[domdeslagons]

The best it to try!
You can also begin with bones or shell, it is a little easier as it won't brake like stone. And then the more you try the better you are!
I also use some cheap diamond tools I find on ebay (THK ) and I found them good value, I began with a dremel and now have also a little micro motor for very fine carving.
Some of my last work. Round on is a mother of pearl with giant clam in the middle. The other 2 are made on Troca shell.
Have fun!