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Rock Art => Cabochons, Intarsias, Cameos => Topic started by: Stonemon on February 27, 2017, 03:25:43 PM

Title: Tourmalinated Quartz cab.
Post by: Stonemon on February 27, 2017, 03:25:43 PM
38x25x8.5 mm
Something different today. I just needed a break from the daily grind, found this and started in...
Bill
Title: Re: Tourmalated Quartz cab.
Post by: Kaljaia on February 27, 2017, 03:41:52 PM
Very cool, very dramatic material!
Title: Re: Tourmalated Quartz cab.
Post by: lithicbeads on February 27, 2017, 05:40:43 PM
Very nice. About 30 years ago that was a common material, I miss it.
Title: Re: Tourmalated Quartz cab.
Post by: Orrum on February 27, 2017, 06:13:03 PM
Never seen it b4 and I love it!
Title: Re: Tourmalated Quartz cab.
Post by: Grayco on February 28, 2017, 01:25:01 PM
"TOURMALATED" ?????  Being filled with Tourmaline crystals?
It is a beautiful material!  I'll have to keep my eyes open for some of that.  Any idea where it comes from?
Title: Re: Tourmalated Quartz cab.
Post by: gemfeller on February 28, 2017, 02:06:20 PM
Quote from: Grayco on February 28, 2017, 01:25:01 PM
"TOURMALATED" ?????  Being filled with Tourmaline crystals?
It is a beautiful material!  I'll have to keep my eyes open for some of that.  Any idea where it comes from?

If you Google "tourmalinated quartz" you'll find many examples.  The tourmaline is the black variety called schorl.  Most of it comes from Brazil.   
Title: Re: Tourmalated Quartz cab.
Post by: Stonemon on February 28, 2017, 03:04:49 PM
Sorry about the spelling. Minas Gerais, Brazil if I remember correctly...
Bill
Title: Re: Tourmalated Quartz cab.
Post by: hummingbirdstones on February 28, 2017, 05:14:35 PM
Beautiful cab!  I have some of that laying around somewhere, but the quartz isn't as clear as yours.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Tourmalated Quartz cab.
Post by: wheatguy on March 01, 2017, 01:18:41 PM
Wow!  Fantastic material and cab.
Title: Re: Tourmalinated Quartz cab.
Post by: womanwithatorch on March 23, 2017, 10:19:03 AM
Beautiful stuff and the cab shape is perfect for it. I have some rough with red needles, haven't tried cabbing it yet. Any special advice?
Title: Re: Tourmalinated Quartz cab.
Post by: Stonemon on March 23, 2017, 10:46:42 AM
Being as it is quartz, it grinds quickly and can tend to be a bit brittle/friable. That being said, I work it with less pressure and watch how much time I spend on the coarse wheels.
Overall, it is easy and forgiving if you just take it easy...
Bill
Title: Re: Tourmalinated Quartz cab.
Post by: rockherder on March 23, 2017, 11:24:38 AM
I like that!
How does the tourmaline hardness compare to the quartz.
Does it pit or ??
Title: Re: Tourmalinated Quartz cab.
Post by: Orrum on March 23, 2017, 05:23:14 PM
Woes er fabilious!!!
Title: Re: Tourmalinated Quartz cab.
Post by: Stonemon on March 23, 2017, 06:33:42 PM
Tourmaline is 7-7.5 Mohs so unless there is a void or some fracturing, it grinds and polishes flawlessly.
Bill