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Author Topic: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?  (Read 14333 times)

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R.U. Sirius

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Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« on: August 21, 2021, 11:49:30 PM »
I found these two extremely thin pieces of rough nephrite in a collection I picked up recently.

Not sure how I would cut or carve them and why, but perhaps someone here can give me an idea. What can be done with them?
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Windenzee

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2021, 12:00:11 AM »
Look at some of the Maori art from NZ for ideas of what you could carve or do.
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R.U. Sirius

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2021, 07:02:18 AM »
Just to clarify, I was wondering specifically about this case of thin, flake-shaped rough. The weathered rind leaves me with even thinner, irregular nephrite core. If I were to try carving this, it's certainly going to be very different from the case of starting with a proper slab of solid nephrite.
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vitzitziltecpatl

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2021, 08:33:42 AM »
Not a carver, so can't help on that front.

Smaller cabs for jewelry should allow more light to come through. Would have a nice glow if it's clean.

Some people might also use the thinnest bits for inlay.
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safossils

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2021, 09:00:15 AM »
I'd make a few guitar picks....
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Walter G Farmer
Guitar pick maker and musician from Tucson AZ

Slabbercabber

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2021, 10:28:13 AM »
It does look like nice material, but only you can determine if it is worth the time it will take to get through the rind.
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vitzitziltecpatl

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2021, 12:37:32 PM »
The toughness of jade would make it good for guitar picks, wouldn't it... .
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safossils

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2021, 06:45:07 PM »
Quote
The toughness of jade would make it good for guitar picks, wouldn't it... .

Yes, I have made jade picks that are less than 1 mm, and they hold up fine....

Best,
Walt
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Walter G Farmer
Guitar pick maker and musician from Tucson AZ

R.U. Sirius

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2021, 07:24:44 PM »
Great idea! I guess I'll grind through the rind to see what happens, and from there decide if I can trim it down to a few decent preforms.
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lithicbeads

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2021, 10:07:25 AM »
 It looks like problematic schistose rough in addition to being thin .It looks ok for thin cabbed pendants .
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R.U. Sirius

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2021, 01:50:20 PM »
This obvious schistoisity presents a good learning opportunity for me - I will experiment with different directions when grinding and polishing.

My local club is still closed, and my home shop is still full of equipment that is being refurbished - but this jade is in the line, waiting! It waited for millions of years, a few more months shouldn't be an issue.
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southerly

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Re: Is very thin nephrite rough worth the effort?
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2021, 01:53:15 AM »
Just have a go, see what you can do with it, if it is very schistose it will be a exercise in frustration and learning, sometimes the core of those smaller pieces can be really high quality. That said I often face polish them and keep as specimens
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