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A little bit of opal from the "Blacklighters" in Coober Pedy

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-08/bushwalker-faces-fine-over-queensland-crystal-find/13129054

My 1st real attempt at a cab setting with 925 sterling silver

There seems to be a zillion different methods and recommendations to polish silver jewellery before setting. I've got a small rotary tool that takes a 2.35mm shank, a set of jewellers files, w&d sandpaper from 400 to 7000 grit. Grinding and buffing There's felt,cotton,silicon,muslin discs and...

Brand new virginal 600 grit disc, lots of water (match stick size flow ) did the back of 2 small agate cabs and the front of a largish cab of ( I think) petrified wood. Had this happen on 2 other discs from another supplier, is it me, or just cheap and nasty discs ?

This is a long read , but please read it and protest to your local member of parliament, but this law is just protecting rapists and pedo's...

It seems that I now need a master lap for the slant cabber, I've found 3 different ones from 3 suppliers, and 3 different prices :( https://www.gemcuts.com.au/standard-faceting-master-laps https://www.aussiesapphire.com.au/8-inch-master-lap-standard-or-magnetic...

My nuts are coming undone ? Just finished my bigger and upgraded slant cabber and I've found a problem that I just hadn't foreseen, the motor is an instant on and instant off, 1400 rpm. The on is ok, but the instant stop means that the discs keep spinning (momentum ) and the locating nut comes...

Just went connect up the new motor for the slant cabber, but I'm afraid the wiring diagram just makes no sense to me. There doesn't seem to be any + or - markings so I'm hoping that somebody can advise me where to put what (without being rude) And what are the 2 small connector strips for ? I...

'm hoping that someone on here can help me with a small fitting and turning job in steel. Last week I bought a new "proper" motor for the slant cabber which will need an adapter for the spindle to take the 1/2" whitworth threaded shaft. I have the drawing for the motor shaft...

Truth time :lol: What's the stupidest thing you've done in lapidary ? I'll start with tonight, I was doping up a few stones ready for tomorrow, I'd matched up dop sticks sizes to the stone, heated the stones, melted the wax, had a big board ready to sit the stones on, bowl of water for dipping...

Couldn't/didn't see any cracks before I started. 80 grit, then 150, then 320 and I stopped when I saw all these cracks appearing and bits breaking off of the edges. Were they there all along ? Did I get them too hot when dopping ? Hot enough to keep the wax soft for a minute or so. They didn't...

I would like to get a proper spray arrester flange for my slant cabber . It will be a circular upside down "L" shape, inside diameter 285mm, sides 45mm, thickness about 3 or 4 mm if that makes any sence If it does can you give me a price including postage to Somerville, 3912

Looking for unpolished Rhodonite slabs 6 to 7 mm thick for cabochons, pm me to let me know prices and postage, photos would be good too cheers Keith

I'm probably being a bit conservative and erring on the side of caution, but just how close to the cab line do you cut, mainly agate atm. I'm leaving about 2 or 3mm but it's taking quite while to grind down to the shape line. This is the blade...

I'm thinking of going a step further with the cabs I'm making and would like to make some simple settings for them similar to this with open backs So I've made a list of what I think I'll need ( bare minimum ) not what I'd like :o mini blow torch soldering paste pickle soldering block...

I'm looking for 2nd hand 6" or 8" trim saw in reasonable working order, condition of blade irrelevant provided the arbor is a standard lapidary size

What to use for glue on bails ( no I'm not talking about cricket ) epoxy ( what sort ) superglue ( which 1 )

Just what do you use to mark out a cabochon on really dark coloured stones ? Sharpie fine point or pencil is ok on lighter stuff but I've got a bit of Labrodorite and the only white markers are paint based, they take forever to dry and smudge easily. Hints please :(