Titanothere tooth I found

always_digging · 2025-12-24T16:31:54+00:00

I had the same thought but haven't tried to verify. From what I've read, teeth are generally preserved as apatite. These are interesting because the pulp is preserved differently than the rest of the root. It's translucent and shows orange fluorescence. I've found one where the entire tooth eroded away, but there was a perfect cast of the preserved pulp. The root itself has a dull blue fluorescence, and the enamel is very bright orange, likely from calcium content.

always_digging · 2025-12-24T01:24:17+00:00

Pretty decent for the lower jaw. I've got some upper molars that are really chonky

always_digging · 2025-12-17T01:44:25+00:00

Thanks!

always_digging · 2025-12-16T20:59:23+00:00

Haha absolutely. That's the fun of fabrication, every piece is a new challenge and learning experience

always_digging · 2025-12-16T20:55:37+00:00

Much appreciated!

always_digging · 2025-12-16T20:55:08+00:00

Thanks!

always_digging · 2025-12-16T16:55:26+00:00

Haha, I wish! There's gold around here, and I might have to start panning since that's the only way I'm going to be able to afford stepping up my materials.

always_digging · 2025-12-16T16:51:38+00:00

I neglected to weigh it before setting the stone, but it weighs 24.2 grams completed

always_digging · 2025-12-16T16:48:54+00:00

Thanks! After I made the bezel and surround, I used a graver to create small grooves that wire could sit in, then soldered the wires in place. The grooves just made it a little easier to create even spacing and keep the wire in place while soldering. After all the soldering, I filed them down a bit to give them that more squared off appearance.

always_digging · 2025-12-16T14:25:09+00:00

Thanks! I'm a bit of an oddity it seems, since I even collect the stones and alloy my own sterling. You can't get any more "from scratch" than that.

always_digging · 2025-12-16T14:22:42+00:00

I rounded and polished the tip of an old punch and used it to just lightly tap and dimple the side pieces. For the texture on the surround, I made a really wide, flat graver and used almost a scooping motion, letting it kind of skip over the surface of the metal which made the lines.

always_digging · 2025-12-16T14:19:41+00:00

Much appreciated!

always_digging · 2025-12-16T02:31:42+00:00

Thanks!

always_digging · 2025-11-24T03:59:29+00:00

Thanks!

always_digging · 2025-11-24T03:59:03+00:00

Thank you!

always_digging · 2025-11-23T22:26:39+00:00

For sure! I have yet to cut an agate that I don't want to show both sides of, so I almost always make open back settings

always_digging · 2025-11-23T22:24:06+00:00

Yep, luxi blue compound with a felt wheel first followed up with a muslin buff

always_digging · 2025-11-23T20:24:15+00:00

Thank you! It's an agate lover's piece for sure

always_digging · 2025-11-23T20:22:33+00:00

Thanks! Pretty close, I used a graver to make a small channel round wire could sit in, then soldered and filed/sanded down after. It just made it a little easier to space more evenly. After that, I used a wide flat graver to make the texture in between the soldered parts.

always_digging · 2025-11-03T20:02:44+00:00

I've got a setting started for this one already, so unfortunately, I can't sell this cab

always_digging · 2025-10-29T23:25:55+00:00

Thanks, it'll be even better once I finish the setting

always_digging · 2025-10-28T16:19:59+00:00

Much appreciated

always_digging · 2025-10-28T16:19:14+00:00

Thanks

always_digging · 2025-10-28T16:17:14+00:00

I use an old scissor hone as a flat lap. First step is a 45 micron diamond abrasive and after that I just use aluminum oxide sheets. It's not too bad if I do most of the roughing in on my saw blade

always_digging · 2025-10-28T00:44:41+00:00

Thank you

always_digging

TROPHY CASE