Recent content by Moth

Sapphire rough from Rubyvale - cushion cut for an engagement ring @ 1.25 carat - the photo doesn't do it justice as it has splashes of gold and teal.

Before and after of Hart's Range (Mud tank) zircons I dug and cut. Also a 2 ct (9.2 ct rough) Sapphire (Cushion Cut) I did for an engagement ring.

Don't have a pic of the rough stone - dug for 6 weeks without success so picked up an 8 ct rough from Coolamon Mining - cut it myself and managed a yield of 1.81 ct; bought the finding from LA Gems and set it myself (courtesy of Youtube) total cost $400, insurance valuation $2800.

Try again; Hugh I am in Rubyvale looking to buy rough for a cutter back in Vic

A Sri Lankan Blue - was given to me at 1.95 ct - terrible polish and looked like at least two goes had been tried to re-cut it. It had 2 different girdle lines (one dissected by several half facets) and varying over cut facets and seemingly attempts at covering poor facets. Managed to retrieve a...

I was given a parcel of zircons and garnets I thought were obviously from Harts Range/Mud Tank. By the fractured and poor quality I assumed they were possibly from a 'tag-along' tour, like the one operating out of the Gem Tree C/P. They were from an elderly man going into aged care - as it...

good on you, its addictive - hope you have an ethical facetor to cut your finds

I'm with the others - the most usual cause of scratching is contamination and that can occur from an external source (Swarf, failing to clean the stone from the previous lap, contamination on the polishing lap, or a build up of too much excess polish combined with a 'heavy hand'). Suggest a...

Thanks Dihusky - I've had the plastic 'O' rings governing the Master Lap replaced with 12mm nuts, as you said they compact after time and throw the settings out, in my case, it threw the alignment of the Master Lap out about 1 - 2 mm. With the support legs I maintain my 2000 in the one position...

Thanks Dihusky - yes it was, after speaking with Peter (Halls) we have eliminated a few of the possibilities down to a quill problem but taking my machine to a Club member (who is near as good as Horst) on Wednesday to sort it out - I'll let you know what develops.

Thanks but unfortunately the Elephant would be the only design to hold any significance but I appreciate your thoughts.

I am looking for a specific faceting design. In explanation, a very close family member suffered Leukemia some years ago - the treatment was so severe we got called 3 times to say last goodbyes but she fought through - during her worst moments of chemo one of the nurses gave her a toy elephant...

Hey Nick Posted a lengthy reply but it seems to have got lost. Several issues with cutting your rough sapphire the first is the main one and that is your expectations with regard the yield. You can expect only a return of around 20 -30% (depending on the cut and the symmetry with regard the...

Bullwinkle - Horst Ricker at Rubyvale will do dops for you at around $6 - 8 per stick - I wouldn't be surprised if you only have to mention the type of machine you have and he will know the configuration. I have his details if you like

Thanks Jeff, Appreciate your advice - it makes a lot of sense. I am willing to admit I have f-all knowledge with regard reading the area and, of course, no local knowledge of where to put in time to maximise my chances, so just blundering along in the hope of finding a stone I can cut for my...