Honduran Opal Project | July 2016

070916 2 Rough (800x600)
Here is the rough rock as I received it. See those beautiful greens!?!

I’m working on a project and would like to document the process here.  A customer sent me a piece of Honduran Opal to cut.  The goal here is two lovely ovals.  When the rough arrived I was pleasantly surprised as I thought it was a slab- it was a little chunk with fabulous green, blue and red pinfire throughout.  I’m looking forward to this!

 

Another view of the rough rock.
Another view of the rough rock.

I had a good long look at the chunk so I could decide how I wanted to approach it.  Then it went to the trim saw to cut off a little slab or two.  A slab is a little slice of rock.

Trimmed into a slab and the shape I'll be cutting is scribed onto the top.
Trimmed into a slab and the shape I’ll be cutting is scribed onto the top.

In addition to scribing the shape, I’ve added a T.  It stands for- top.  At this point the top will be the top.  These are different sizes because that’s what fit.  I consulted with my customer and asked if he wanted them the same or different.  His preference is closer to the same to I’ll revise this part.

Little chink.
Little chunk.
Another view of the little chunk.
Another view of the little chunk.

Since I’ve never cut this material and there’s more then we need, I’m going to cab that little chunk to get a feel for the material.  If felt soft on the saw but until it touches my wheels….I really won’t know for sure.

070916 6 preform (800x600)
A little preform of the chunk/ turned teardrop shape.

At the preform stage the shape is roughed in.  (I know, my grammar could use some help tonight)

As I get the next part of the project worked on I’ll post photos and descriptions so that you can watch it evolve.  The whole project will be in this post.  🙂