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LAPIDARY DIGEST This list digest contains the following message subjects: 1. Notes for Issue #15 <MSG1> One of the common ways many of us got into lapidary work was through tumbling of rocks; tumbling is one of the most basic operations in lapidary arts. And one of the skilled practioners is : Alan Silverstein <ajs@hpfcajs.fc.hp.com>. We have all seen his contributions to tumbling discussions on other mail lists. Alan has been collecting items about tumbling for several years, and has organized them in a book-like collection which he has generously allowed to be placed in our Archives, available for downloading. It will be placed there in the next few days, as soon as the last copyright release has been obtained. You will find it in the directory under the file name TUMBLING.TXT. Hopefully, more items on lapidary subjects will find their way into the Archives in the future. Hale In Issue #14, Dick Friesen <friesenr@ix.netcom.com> asked: <... does any one know what "rapid polish" is? > There is a Myer's Rapid Polish. He is located @ P.O. Box 646 Keller,
TX Lester... <MSG3> Subject: RE: Mottled Polish on Rhodonite
Rhodonite has a structure commonly called sugary, the material has small
openings that will give an orange peal polish similar to jade. But it
is not the same, the orange peal in jade comes from directional dissimilar You can probably fill them with one of the epoxies that have been mentioned in the turquoise thread but the epoxy won't polish as well as the rhodonite and the results I have seen were not satisfactory. I have been able to improve the polish (not completely fix it) using chrome oxide on hard leather (I use a 5-to-1 oxide to water ratio then add about 10% Linde A) which is a common jade polish. But the best answer I know of is to find better material, like most lapidary material, rhodonite come in a wide range of quality and in some the voids are small enough not to show in the final polish, well they still show under magnification but most people don't care. There used to be a rhodonite from Australia sold as "Royal Rhodonite". It was some of the best rhodonite I have ever seen but I have not seen any for several years. Maybe you will get lucky and find some old stash in a local show. Or maybe someone has a better answer and will share it with us. Dick Friesen <MSG4> Subject: RE: Stabilizing Turquoise and Opal At a Show several years ago I was told to stabilize some Gary Ogg I do not know about Louisiana opal, but mentioning sugar solutions and a crock pot reminds me of the treatment of Andamooka (Australia) opals. A book is available which describes the treatment of these opals. Its title is ALL ABOUT ANDAMOOKA OPALS, written by Emory Ligget, and available for $5.00 from him at 1851 West Ehringhaus #121, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, (919)264-4367. Many of you may have met Emory at shows, selling opals. Also, from The Lapidary Journal Index, I find the following possibly related references: ..Louisiana Opals, Moore, Gary: "Elusive in Louisiana" 86:06:54 Reprints are available from Lapidary Journal (1-800-676-GEMS) for a nominal charge. hale sweeny <MSG6> Subject: AD: Ashlea Lyons Creations (Cranestone Gems)
We are Ashlea Lyons Creations and have been in the rock business for
about 25 years. This is our first introduction to your list and am sure
we will enjoy all the banter that is provided. We have been designated
Cranestone Gems U.S. Agents, and have many cabbing and mineral specimens
available. Susan Sanders
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