North Brisbane Lapidary Club

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Beginners Day

February 18, 2021 By Carol

A big thank you to Peter, Diane, Kate, Jodie, Allan, Mitchell and Sara for sharing their beginners day work with us. Feedback comments are a mix of direct quotes and verbal comments as I remember them!

Peter and Diane – “Our first attempts at cabbing. We thoroughly enjoyed our time so far and are learning heaps. We found the marble easy to start first up but learned about different harnesses with the gympyite. On our second day we had some malachite, boulder opal and thundereggs from previous fossicking. Lots of fun and still learning lots from our mistakes”.

Mitchell – His first marble cab from the beginners day.

Speaking to Mitchell he was very enthusiastic, and gobsmacked by the results achieved. He said he thoroughly enjoyed the beginners day and the great instruction. Especially that he managed to complete his first piece using marble and start another in gympyite, showing the difference in hardness.

Kate and Jodie learning to sweat solder, on their first evening work session. Also learning about disc cutting and doming along the way.

By the sound of it lots of fun was had with this by both the new members and the instructors on the night.

Allan produced a stamped ring, and a simple pendant setting on the beginners day and then tried his hand at some sweat soldering at the next work session. Comments made were that he loved the day and was amazed at the results he came away with. He has been to a couple of work sessions and has started on chain making and still really enjoying it.

Sara – “Some pics of my work at the beginner’s workshop 🙂 It was a really nice day of learning to cab with other rock-loving newbies and seeing where everything is at the Club house”.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Portable Jewellers Work Bench

June 25, 2020 By Carol

by Garry Gatfield

A portable Jewellers Work Bench based from a 2008 magazine photograph.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Results of last weeks exercise

June 19, 2020 By Carol

Only 4 answers were submitted from those of you who know their polishing tools. The answers were pretty consistent, with the exception of one!  So I can only assume, the rest of you like me are keen to learn from those knowledgeable few.

  1. Calico polishing mop – an all round mop suitable for polishing flat surfaces to a high polish/lustre, used with various compounds, generally used before #2, OR for buffing the lines around the neck.
  2. Lambs wool mop – as above for polishing flat surfaces but gentler than #1 and as a final polish OR for putting powder around the eyes.
  3. Hard Felt mop – Again for polishing/pre-polishing flat surfaces or edges, firmer than #1 & #2, OR in case #1 gets worn out buffing all the lines around the neck.
  4. Soft Cotton mop (often called a wool mop) – very soft and flexible, ideal for the final polish OR putting powder around the neck.
  5. Brass brush – used to clean up precious metals before polishing and can also give a brushed finish OR to scrape of any heavy makeup.
  6. Steel brush – used for a more defined brushed finish OR to buff the hard parts on your heels.
  7. Goats hair – for polishing hard to reach or textured areas OR to stimulate the knuckles after doing the heels.
  8. Goats hair – as #7 just a different shape OR to stimulate the knuckles on the hands after gripping the tools so hard.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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