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Let's Rock => Rock Talk => Topic started by: Pusscat on August 03, 2017, 08:25:33 AM

Title: Opal newbie wanted to share
Post by: Pusscat on August 03, 2017, 08:25:33 AM
Hi,
Thought I'd share a pic of a Koroit opal I've just cut.  Just starting out so you'll have to forgive the crudeness of it...at least my home made equipment is still working!

Love the red flash and the Blue and green lightning. Looks like the light is coming from within the stone!
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Pusscat
Title: Re: Opal newbie wanted to share
Post by: hummingbirdstones on August 03, 2017, 10:08:06 AM
What steps are you using to cut your Koroit?  My husband and I are both opal cutters, so we may be able to help you refine your cutting a bit. 
Title: Re: Opal newbie wanted to share
Post by: Pusscat on August 03, 2017, 10:54:45 AM
Hi,
I'm cutting back with a 300 diamond wheel, then a 600, 600 soft, 1200 soft, 3000 soft and a bit of 14000 soft.

For the Coober and LR, i wanted to go up to 50,000 soft but that wheel isn't broken in fully yet...I get some patches of lovely shine the some horrible scratches appear and I have to go back to a bit of 600 soft and on again.

I've really tried to wear it in with agate and a hard edge, it is getting better but it's a little disheartening when i use it as it looks fine until you get it into direct light and the scratches appear.  so I basically miss out the 14000 and 50000 stages and user cerium on a felt pad.

I don't like doing that on Koroit as I sometimes get the oxide caught in the stone!

Title: Re: Opal newbie wanted to share
Post by: edgarscale on August 03, 2017, 04:53:44 PM
gorgeous piece...sorry i can't help out.  the good people here will  :blob1: