|
|
Post by shivan on Apr 29, 2016 9:05:47 GMT 10
G'day all. Had a bit of a play with the new faceting machine last night. Only took it to 14,000 diamond, but the results are much better than the home made unit i had started with. Still have to transfer and finish the bottom, but for my first stone with no lessons, i was quiet pleased.    |
|
|
|
Post by mushmouse on Apr 29, 2016 21:58:53 GMT 10
Stunning Shivan. I can see why Mrs S gave the OK for the new machine  . Great to see how a real deal gem comes up instead of the 'created' ones they are selling now in jewellery. |
|
|
|
Post by shivan on Apr 30, 2016 1:02:39 GMT 10
|
|
nuggethill
God of the Goldfields
A 4 1/2 oz find at Kingower by a friend
Posts: 519 
|
Post by nuggethill on Apr 30, 2016 12:56:10 GMT 10
Good start mate looks good so how do you feel about your first cut stone middle finger cut that must of hurt |
|
|
|
Post by jeffu on Apr 30, 2016 18:36:50 GMT 10
 Looks great Ian, if my first attempt looks that good I'll be amazed/  What is the stone? Looks bluish in the top pics and clear on the last pics.
|
|
|
|
Post by shivan on Apr 30, 2016 22:04:08 GMT 10
Cheers all.
Jeff the stone was already on the dops when i brought the machine, i just assumed it was quartz or perhaps topaz. Have been told it could also be TV glass.
It is a clear stone, i believe the color in the first lot of photos was due to the epoxy.
|
|
nuggethill
God of the Goldfields
A 4 1/2 oz find at Kingower by a friend
Posts: 519
|
Post by nuggethill on May 1, 2016 0:47:52 GMT 10
I would have said topaz Ian but you have hands on with it cheers mate |
|
golddiggerart
Super Sluicer
I was born for a reason...
Posts: 381
|
Post by golddiggerart on May 1, 2016 1:16:09 GMT 10
That looks awesome mate well done. Would love to see more.  |
|
|
|
Post by jeffu on May 2, 2016 18:22:17 GMT 10
Ian - what brand of faceting machine do you have?
I have been looking at Facetron and Gemmaster, don't really know what I am looking at.
Jeff
|
|
|
|
Post by shivan on May 2, 2016 19:42:43 GMT 10
G'day Jeff, mine is an older Ultratec V2. While i believe they are known to be a good accurate machine, I believe the only way to get these is to purchase through the states. Which makes repairs and upgrades expensive.
From what i have heard both Facetron and Gemmaster make decent machines. Personally i like the look of the Gemmaster machines more, but i believe the Facetron comes with a digital dial for better accuracy and speed, unfortunately i have not used either machine or seen them in action.
|
|
|
|
Post by shivan on May 5, 2016 19:28:36 GMT 10
Have been having a little bit more of a play  and now cut two more stones. Another round stone which was already attached, the facets came out ok but i think i cat the angles for a zircon rather than quartz... I also cut a square labradorite (feldspar), had trouble with the crown, not sure if it was me or the book but the facets would not line up like they were supposed to, so i improvised a little. Far from perfect, but i have been impressed with what i have cut.      |
|
|
|
Post by Flying Scott on May 5, 2016 21:34:56 GMT 10
Hi guys, As you know by now I am a bit radical when it comes to theory. Most of the gem cutters I know cut the pavilion first.
Ok but what if there is a discrepancy during cutting? well the pavilion won't line up with the crown. The crown being the most visible part of a polished gem needs to be perfect
I start by rounding the stone to the largest size that will cut out any cracks or impurities. You need a dial gauge to do this.
Next I will cut the table, I will rough cut, polish, finishing with a 100,000 grit diamond powder.
then I will cut the 32 crown facets first with 100 grit, 1000 grit 5000 grit then polish with 100,000 in reverse.
then use the transfer block to transfer the stone onto another dop ready to cut the pavilion.
I am giving you instructions on how I cut a brilliant round
I will give you more detailed instructions at the weekend.
Flying Scott
|
|
|
|
Post by Flying Scott on May 5, 2016 21:41:32 GMT 10
2 words you must remember when facetting
MEET POINT
|
|
|
|
Post by shivan on May 5, 2016 23:12:12 GMT 10
Cheers for that Flying Scott. I know i have a long way to go, but am enjoying the practice. I need to get a decent polishing lap and even a new pre polish lap. I have 3 older laps that came with the faceting maching, but they look like they need resurfacing at the least.
The first brilliant was cut crown first, the second was cut pavilion first. Just the way the stones had been dopped.
Love to hear more about how you cut, any info at the moment is a great help.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flying Scott on May 6, 2016 20:27:03 GMT 10
There are many different kinds of laps, 2mm glued to a thicker base, has a tendency to warp,
some are pre charged with various cutting / polishing agents, but they are too thin
my advice would be to keep away from them.
I use a 10mm thick aluminum disk impregnated with 100 grit diamond for pre and rough cut.
I use 3 x 6mm solid copper disks for fine cut and polishing. I charge them with the appropriate diamond grits which can be bought by the gram from lapidary shops
I cant stress to strongly enough, ( YOU MUST NOT LET INDIVIDUAL DISKS BECOME CONTAMINATED BY OTHER DISKS)
Flying Scott
|
|
. Great to see how a real deal gem comes up instead of the 'created' ones they are selling now in jewellery. 
and now cut two more stones. Another round stone which was already attached, the facets came out ok but i think i cat the angles for a zircon rather than quartz...
