Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 5, 2010

Question:

Hi Dale, I have some flat cut rock that I would like to wrap as individual pendants. The rocks have sharp edges on the outside. Is there anything I can use, other than clear finger nail polish, on the edges so that it won’t cut the wire? These are sliced agates, about 1-2" in diameter and about 1/8" thick.

-Jackie in North Branch, Minnesota

Answer:

Actually Jackie, nail polish will not coat the rock slabs well enough to prevent damage to the wire, and it will not stay on the slabs for long. What you could do is to use a diamond bit and a Dremel to carefully round the rough edges.

Be sure to wear safety glasses or goggles and grind using water. For example, grind a bit and then dip the end of the tool in water to cool it, as well as the rock. The water will also help to flush the rock dust from the diamond, helping to keep the tip for getting clogged.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 4, 2010

Question:

What are Chinese Turquoise and Kiwi Lapis? My customers always ask me if this is “real” turquoise or “real” lapis, and I don’t know the answer. Thanks!

-Kathy in Ormond Beach, Florida

Answer:

Thanks for asking a question that had me stumped! As a rockhound and one who studies minerals on a regular basis, I had never heard of Kiwi lapis (obviously I don’t use many beads, so I didn’t know that we carry such a huge supply of Kiwi Lapis). My research resulted in finding that what is being called “kiwi stone” is identified by some as natural pale green quartz that has black and white specks throughout (similar to a slice of kiwi fruit). Evidently this material easily takes dye and polish well.

Therefore, anything that is labeled Kiwi Lapis is a quartz stone that has been dyed in lapis blue hues. Being termed “stone” separates this product from the “fruit” quartzes such as blueberry, cherry and pineapple, as fruit quartz is really glass.

True Chinese Turquoise is a different matter, as it is more than likely genuine. The main difference between Chinese turquoise and similar material from other parts of the world is that most of the turquoise from China has been enhanced. These treatments can include waxing and /or oiling the natural stones, and dying and/or stabilizing the material with plastic resins to make it more durable. If you would like to know more about the history of turquoise, may I suggest reading Turquoise.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

I recently bought some small slabs for wiring at a lapidary show that just need some shine put on them. I have a tumbler that I have never used. What do I put in it? Or do I need to polish them some other way?

-Phylliss in Searcy, Arkansas

Answer:

Although I enjoy lapidary questions, to give a complete answer to your question I would need a bit more information such as:

1. What style of tumbler do you have, rotary or vibratory?
2. How large are the slabs? (Big ones should go into a vibratory tumbler; small ones can be done in a rotary)
3. What are the materials? (Rocks need to be separated by hardness to tumble polish, as softer materials can be quickly ground away or beat up by harder materials)

After you have determined the above answers, you will need some grit (generally silicon carbide, a minimum of 3 grades from coarse to fine, depending on the hardness and material type), a polishing agent (again, this will depend on the materials you are tumble polishing, usually cerium oxide works well on most materials) and a separating medium (I like plastic pellets) to keep the slabs from sticking together for a nice even finish.

To tumble wet (usually in a rotary tumbler), you would place the slabs and plastic pellets into the tumbler’s rubber barrel and add enough water to fill it 4/5 of the way, then add the grit (coarse first; the amount depends on the size of the barrel). Tighten the lid and turn it on for the first run. The amount of time required for each run will depend on the hardness of the stones, from a couple of days to weeks. When the first run is complete, empty the barrel (never into a sink, as the slurry can really mess up plumbing systems), and thoroughly rinse and clean the pellets and the stones. Then repeat the runs, using medium grit next, and finally the fine. When you are happy with the results, it is time for the polish.

Be absolutely, positively sure that there is no grit whatsoever left in the barrel or on any of the stones, as one piece could destroy weeks of work! I have barrels just for polish. The polishing run can take less than a day, again depending on the stones. Wash your stones completely, and wrap as desired!

In a vibratory tumbler, I prefer to tumble slabs dry, using the same processes as above without adding any water, as I find slabs tumble polish more quickly in a vibratory tumbler, dry. For an easier solution, you could use a spray protectant, like as an acrylic spray such as Krylon, to give your slabs a nice glossy finish; just be careful not to scratch it when wrapping.

For lapidary supplies such as grit and polish, simple do an Internet search using the phrase “tumbling grit.” Warning: Polishing your own stones can be addicting!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
September 26, 2010

Question:

Dale, in reference to Sept 18′s Tip, Making a Wire Frame without a Girdle, what is a girdled cab?

-Rose in Riverview, Florida

Answer:

A girdle is what we call the edge or side of a stone, be it a cabochon or a faceted stone. A “girdled cab” is one that actually has sides, therefore making it easy to wire wrap. A lot of commercial cabs are made by machinery and have no girdle or side at all! Rather they go from their domed top directly to a flat back. Usually these are also highly polished, making it difficult to keep a wire frame on while you are fitting it. Cabochons handmade by lapidaries usually have a nice girdle. Most of the specialty cabochons carried by Wire-Sculpture have girdles as well.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
September 21, 2010

Question:

When seeking emerald-cut stones, what do I need to request in order to get stones beveled on the corners to facilitate prong placement?

-Nancy in Ellijay, Georgia

Answer:

There are a variety of terms for a rectangular cut, faceted gemstone. To me, as I cut stones myself, if the rectangle has full squared corners, it is a “full cut.” If it has cut off corners, it is a “step cut.” A full cut results in 4 sides, and a step cut has 8 sides. Most professional diamond cutters call a regular “emerald cut” what I term “step cut.”

Full Cut Four-Sided Cut Stone		Step Cut or Emerald Cut Eight-Sided Cut Stone

The best way to purchase a stone is to ask to see a photo first. If you are having one custom-cut, ask for a “step cut,” making sure the lapidary understands that you mean a rectangle with cut corners.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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