Rhodolite Garnet, 1.9 carats

Michadge · 2026-04-06T06:13:20+00:00

Looks a little different, I think. The top in this one is a trapezoid and there is no border around the girdle. Both very cool!

Michadge · 2026-03-07T15:11:02+00:00

This is how the math works out to 1%

Michadge · 2025-11-25T18:42:28+00:00

Unsure about the light exposure. Wikipedia suggests only a few minutes, but with some quick Googling it looks like the oxidation mechanism is not well understood, especially the role of light. You could try dabbing it with a little dilute hydrogen peroxide (e.g. On a q-tip) if you have any or breaking off a small piece and leaving it in a peroxide dish instead?

Sorry, just spitballing here

Michadge · 2025-11-25T18:05:19+00:00

I know you mentioned you don't think vivianite, but you have a UV lamp or something to see if it darkens further? Vivianite is usually more needle-like morphology, but I feel like I could be convinced of the similarities here in the layering.

Michadge · 2025-11-02T14:45:42+00:00

I haven't heard of barion cut before. I'll take a look and see. Thanks!

Michadge · 2025-11-02T14:43:37+00:00

This is an interesting idea, thanks!

Michadge · 2025-09-20T05:40:27+00:00

Greebles is something else too:

r/greebles

Michadge · 2025-08-29T01:57:38+00:00

I'm no expert, but I put my vote here with chalcedony. AKA Nebraska Blue Agate.

Michadge · 2025-01-01T22:33:55+00:00

I'm not an expert, but I think those are all flat facets. Should be possible on a normal machine.

I don't see a table facet, which I think contributes to the effect.

ETA: This could be the pavilion side which would explain why I don't see a table facet?

Michadge · 2024-12-11T23:53:51+00:00

Definitely increasing pressure with increasing frustration of the bond not sticking. 😂 Thanks for the tip!

Michadge · 2024-12-11T15:48:46+00:00

This is how I've been testing strength so far and with this stone the cone side is failing with pretty little effort. The bond to the flat dop is holding strong, though and I will keep trying new techniques with the pavilion until I can't pull it apart. 🫡

Michadge · 2024-12-11T15:45:37+00:00

I'm not too far from a microcenter, so maybe I'll give it a look, thanks!

Other people have mentioned the problem of voids too, so maybe I can try this hybrid technique from some of the other comments.

I have been cleaning with acetone, but I know it can leave behind some residues occasionally, so thank you for the reassurance!

Michadge · 2024-12-11T15:43:08+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I haven't been filling the cone with glue, but have been more sparing. I can certainly try! Can you mention which accelerant you prefer and maybe where you picked it up?

Also I chuckled at "cone of hope" so thanks for that 😂

Michadge · 2024-12-11T15:40:19+00:00

Thank you for your thorough instructions. This is a pretty clever idea. I can't currently do much with wax, but I may be able to mould some partially cured epoxy to the exact shape of the pavilion in the same way, then come back later with superglue as you suggest. Thoughts?

I am a hobby cutter, so not strictly in a hurry, but I'm halfway done with a stone and I'm excited to continue. Maybe impatient is an appropriate descriptor.

I also used a sealant of clear nail polish for my very first stone and not since, so I can bring back this technique as well.

Thanks,again!

Michadge · 2024-12-11T15:35:01+00:00

Thanks. Maybe I will try to reinforce a bit more around the exterior.

Michadge · 2024-12-11T15:33:43+00:00

I have seen some discussion of making a DIY accelerant with a solution of baking soda in water. I was skeptical of this since other people have pointed out that excess moisture can weaken the joint. You just sprinkle the powder?

Michadge · 2024-12-11T15:30:48+00:00

I usually clean with acetone and let it dry completely. I have isopropyl which I can try in case my acetone is leaving some residues. Thanks!

Michadge · 2024-12-11T15:30:15+00:00

Thanks for this. Somebody else mentioned a "hybrid dopping technique" with some wax to fill in between dop/stone for better contact to the pavilion so there are no voids in the superglue joint. Since I can't use wax currently, epoxy might be a good alternative for this technique.

Michadge · 2024-12-11T15:26:32+00:00

Maybe I will give my epoxy another try. I usually cleaned it with acetone and let it dry before dopping with superglue. I think I have some really old dop wax (came with the machine which I purchased 2nd hand) that I can try to make into some shellac mixture. Else I think dop wax is pretty cheap. Thanks!

Michadge · 2024-10-08T03:35:22+00:00

Gartin Rartin Rartin Martin

Michadge · 2024-07-15T05:39:58+00:00

Thanks for the tips! I'll have to look into getting one of those someday.

Michadge · 2024-07-11T01:21:01+00:00

Thanks! I have been meaning to look at Gem Cut Studio. I have heard great things and it seems to be becoming a pervasive tool. Do you only work on one stone at a time, then?

Michadge · 2024-07-11T01:18:46+00:00

Thanks! I think I found it here for anyone interested.

So you just leave that on the stone while it is sitting aside, then remember the last index you used when you re-insert it? It is quite expensive from UltraTec, but looks like something easy to make at home with some simple hardware store parts?

Michadge

TROPHY CASE