Lapidaryforum.net
Rock Art => Cabochons, Intarsias, Cameos => Topic started by: AgateMan713 on August 23, 2016, 09:02:16 AM
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I hope i put this in the right area.
I picked up a piece of kingman turquoise last month at the local rock and gem show and i plan on making a pendant for my mother for her birthday, my issue is ive never worked with turquoise before, what is the best way to cut it, its about 13 grams in weight so its not huge, i have a lortone 6" trim sawand some thin blades will that work? Whats the best coolant? Water or oil, ive read that oil isnt good to use with turquoise any advice is greatly appreciated.
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If this a piece of natural turquoise, don't use oil for cutting. Turquoise is porous and will absorb the oil. This results in a "treated" turquoise which changes the appearance and reduces the value. Some people are successful in cutting larger pieces of turquoise on oil saws by soaking the turquoise in water for a long period of time prior to cutting. They only remove it from the water just before mounting in the saw, surface dry it and remove it immediately from the oil and wash off the oil.
Since you are using a trim saw, stick with water.
Since turquoise is porous, it will also absorb skin oils which will change it. That's why turquoise jewelry always has a backing to the stones. Usually it's silver because they go so well together. Just make sure the pendent has some sort of barrier between the stone and the wearer.
Jerry
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As far as i know its been stabilized, im going to set it in a brushed bronze backing so no worries about that last part. Thanks for the info
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With many smaller pieces of turquoise, I don't saw but just gently grind down the back until it is flat and then shape, sand and polish. Be aware that the vast majority of turquoise is softer than your typical agate and cuts much faster. A gentle touch is often required to prevent flat spots. I don't know if you dop your stones but if you use super glue and nails like I do, and the material is stabilized, you need to check and see if the polymer used to stabilize the material will dissolve in acetone. For this you need a small chip to place in the acetone for a week or so to see if the material falls apart, changes color drastically or swells. All will show that you need to wax dop the stone or just hand hold while cutting and polishing.
I find that I get the best polish on turquoise by using Linde A on wet leather. Most people won't use Linde A due to cost but very fine micro alumina will work as well. I will not use Zam or the others because those are wax based and the wax will impregnate the pores in the turquoise and I consider this a treatment. I know it is commonly done but I personally dislike it.
Bob Johannes
The Amethyst Rose