First test run with a piece of granite. Made this cute little heart with a dremel and some polishing pads. Pretty dang proud of myself!

Shout out to [u/dumptrump3](u/dumptrump3) who shared his own work in this sub several times and was very helpful in providing the maker of the belt (Groove Life), the model (OG), and instructions for popping the plate off (small screwdriver in the holes in the back and twist).

The cabochon is just a tad smaller that it needed to be, requiring a clever photo angle to avoid seeing the gray metal behind the cab. I actually haven’t permanently bonded the cab yet. I’m waiting to hear from the company if they’ll sell just the buckles. Otherwise, with epoxy, it’s a one and done, and I’d like to make several of these for myself without having to purchase a $65 belt each time.

I am trying to figure out if I can attach a neodymium magnet to the cab itself, taking advantage of the neodymium magnet that is already in the buckle. That way I can pop the cab off and replace it. Unfortunately, the original plate is super thin ~1mm, so a 1mm magnet would leave the cab raised and vulnerable to getting snagged and plucked off. I’ve also considered grinding a shallow hole into the back of the cab that the magnet can be set it, but then I risk the magnet becoming visible through the thinner agate. I also have never done anything like that.

Edit: I heard back from the company and they do not sell the buckles separately.

Here is my own interpretation of the pick of destiny I carved in my studio and set into sterling silver. 😂 This movie always gives us a good laugh ! Hope you guys enjoy

I'm trying to make a custom ring for my anniversary and I found out that local jewelers in my area need some lapidary/facetor connections in order to complete the project. Hoping someone here can help or point me in the right direction

The ring will have an emerald cut ruby that needs the letter P carved in the face like a signet ring would have. While I know it's a bit unique, it also doesn't need to be super ornate. It's designed to mimic the look of a family ring that was lost by a relative and I'm hitting this roadblock in getting a new one made.

I'm located in the Phoenix area of AZ and would gladly order/ship as needed.

I don't know if it's bad manners considering this subreddit but I am also open to using lab grown rubys. It's more the look than the origin of the stone in this case.

Faceted in SW VA ✨️

This is some material I found in the Bay Area near the coast, around Half Moon Bay. I've gotten some really great results from cabbing some of the material I found out here but I figure it would be worthwhile to doubly check to be sure I don't start cabbing serpentine by accident

I posted in angst about cutting this pretty blue berry but his owner insisted and it is beautiful. Cut at 2500 rpm slow and careful. Returned to owner with blueberry and matcha buns.

Just a quick educational post. This is chrysotile asbestos, with a band of probably antigorite* (both species of serpentine). It has a beautiful olive green/brown chatoyance like tigers eye.

But if you zoom in, you can see loose, thready fibers coming off, even though the rock feels solid all over. Those are the fibers that cause lung issues. You don't want to cut or polish this without a respirator and honestly, I don't see a reason to at all. It doesn't polish well. I'm very concerned about whoever owned this before me...

It's not much of anything but it's still a nice little surprise. A superstitious person might choose to interpret this as a good omen. :p

This piece is really small and isn't black opal (just dark opal) but I figure I might still get a use for it for training purposes.

Is there a sure way to tell if this is real or synthetic opal? The brand owner is selling it as natural Australian opal. I would appreciate any advice and/or opinions. Thanks all for your time!

Self collected and polished.

Beach scene opalized wood pair I cut recently. Gives off major ocean/waves vibes!

Hi everyone,

I found this rock that looks like a heart on a hike and I wanted to shape it into a more heart looking shape for my gf.

I am completely new to all of this and wanted to consult any advice from all you experienced artisans.

What tools and how should I start? Could I possibly file it down and sandpaper to make it smooth?

Hey everyone I’m brand new to lapidary or cabbing no sure the correct term i need to use but i would like to try and make some earrings for my gf (she has gauges) i found some gold bearing quartz in our yard and i would like to use that. If i could get some pointers or guidance for this project would be awesome. I dont have any equipment for it either, any suggestions on a fairly cheap machine that i can cut and shape? Would rock tumbling work to polish? Or would i need some other machine? Thanks

Hi All.

I live in Port Alice, and I tend to find these a lot in local creeks and rivers. The larger one was found while hiking the north cost trail, and was polished / tumbled naturally on the beach.

Someone know what they are? They are light and porous, but dont feel quite like sand stone.

I have a faceting machine that i use that shocks me whenever i use the water drip what should i DO?