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[James D. Farrow]

Calcite comes in a lot of great colors so was wondering how it is to cab for pendants.

MOH is 3 - To Soft?  Fractures easy? How does it polish?

Thanks,

James

P.S. Thanks for pointing me to the right place for this.

[hummingbirdstones]

I moved this topic to this board, James.  I've never cut calcite myself, but I'm sure some folks have and you'll hear from them soon.   

[James D. Farrow]

Thanks!

Been on a lot of forums over the years and never liked posting in the wrong place.

James

[jakesrocks]

Calcite can be cabbed with caution, and will take a beautiful polish, (again with caution). Calcite has well defined parting lines & will easily split along them. Using a very light touch, start your grinding on nothing more coarse than 220 grit. As soon as you get the shape you want, switch to 380 grit, or whatever you have close to that.

Be sure to grind only on well broken in wheels. New wheels will cause chatter & the calcium will chip along parting lines.

Calcium is much too soft for use in most jewelry. Earrings & pendants might be an exception.

[lithicbeads]

Thebest calcite cuter ever I believe was or is the facetor Art Grant  from upper NY state. I hope I remembered correctly .His work was stupendously good. I have cabbed it and agree , no rough chattering wheels. Polishing can be a bear because it is easy to sand at the polishing stage. The commercial carving are acid polished or polished with an acid assist, a mild acid aded to the polish works but the finish may flow too much and look artificial. I used to have a few clients who always wanted flourite or calcite beads . I did not relish hearing from them as you do not get remunerated for all the extra work these stones require. Caution costs in time and these stones require extreme caution.

[James D. Farrow]

Thanks for the replies.

May get a small amount to try.

James