HOW TO STABILIZE SOFT STONE FOR LAPIDARY CUTTING

[@ROCKINWHEELERS]

We just Subscribed to your channel. We’re Disabled Seniors with our 47yr old SON / Paraplegic. We’ve recently became Rockhouds and Lapidary.

[@sullirsullir3232]

Just a comment: You said to comment below if you had questions but I don’t see any responses to any of the questions…

[@gjackson6569]

Really informative video. Thanks for sharing. It would have been nice to see a comparison of working with a stabilized stone and a non-stabilized stone to see how the stone changes after the bath in the chemicals.

[@TheGrandma12]

Hi Cheryl, can you reuse the mixture again and how long can you keep mixture? Can you use mixture for whole rocks or only slabs? Thanks

[@thelapidarychannel4770]

Hi Cheryl, If you put those in a vac chamber overnight and then put them on low at around 125 degrees in an old toaster oven you'll cut this process down to an overnight process. Its a really great method though!! Nice video

[@doledesigns5938]

Need to get a vacuum chamber. Have yet to order it.

[@doledesigns5938]

See vacuum chamber method on another video. Yes a lot quicker!!

[@lylelay]

Good luck when you vacuum acetone.

[@clappingjazzhands9408]

I’ve tried this method and it works OK. The best stabilization process is kept secret! For Turquoise the Zachery ( Old method) & Tak treatment ( New method) . I let my jar of stones set for 2 weeks then air dried for another 10 or 12 days. The next time I do this I’m going to put my jar, stones, and epoxy mixture in my Vacuum chamber ( used in lost wax casting), it’s should force epoxy into all the empty voids of the stone. I might even try a different 2 part epoxy and make the solution thicker. Some suggest heating the cookie sheet of stones in a small Dedicated Toaster Oven to dry the stones faster. Low heat! 200 degrees or lower. Think I’ll pass on the oven to avoid a possible explosion! There’s something called Cactus Juice that’s used to stabilize punky wood that’s also been used to stabilize stones but again there’s no videos showing how the process is done. Another method is to coat the stone or slab with Medium Star Bond then cut and shape your cab. But this just coats the surface and doesn’t penetrate the stone leaving it brittle or soft again once you’ve ground the surface. Thanks for this video. It’s in my Library and I’ll post an update, the results of my next experiment.

[@doledesigns5938]

Thank you so much for sharing additional information!! I truly appreciate it!

[@conradgroves8109]

You gave away the secret. Lost wax vacuum.

[@suesmith5746]

There are woodturning videos which show cactus juice. I think Cactus Juice maker has one as well. No chemical mixing, but you do need a vacuum pot, and oven. I bought some 3 or 4 yrs ago, works great, can reuse but only has a shelf life of about a yr, at that time it was $100 a gallon.

[@rockhoundingeasternwashing5308]

Thanks. I've wondered how this is done. Now I know! BTW. I really doubt that the mask you're wearing will filter out any acetone fumes at all.

[@rockncopper]

Hello. I was wondering how do you know which stones need stabilizing? Love the video very informative.

[@ThirdPlanetRocks]

Thanks for this, your step by step was nice and easy to follow. Any chance you know if this will work on thicker stones? I am looking to stabilize some peridot “bombs” that are about 4in diameter that are very brittle.

[@EDLaw-wo5it]

Thanks for the tutorial vlog. I have some chrysocolla in the tumbler no that I did two days then cleaned and going to tumble on step two for 2 -3 days to see how that works. I didn't stabilize first to see if it needed it and sure nuff it did. I am just learning so am apt to make some mistakes. Again thanks. Havagudun Lady.

[@jenwhitedesigns]

I’m in a similar situation-found instructions, but with no demonstration. Appreciate the share. Couple questions-did you layer slabs one on top of the other or did you stack them all vertically? How long did the solution last and how did you safely dispose of it? Thanks so much!

[@pattaylor7720]

Am preparing to stabilize some chalky Chrysocolla and will use your formula.

[@Lomamacmama]

What does stabilizing actually do? How does it work? What rocks should I do this with? I am a noob . Thanks for the vid.

[@suesmith5746]

Thank you very good info and nice you speeded it up so it was not too repitish.Great job.

[@robertregalado3783]

and Cactus Juice does expand when you go to put it in the oven to heat set the epoxy . so if you have a super soft Stone you're trying to stabilize with cactus juice keep that in mind ..... because it could expand and crack where you don't want it to. and it does get contaminated so it's a one-time-use juice .I have used it after it has been contaminated it turns yellowish Brown so I just use it on darker colored gemstones and other brown rocks.thinner is better .and keep up the research and good luck. :-)

[@pattischopper1332]

Thanks so much. My husband and I are newbies and this is much needed information.

[@troutchaser8073]

Yesterday I put some stones in the mix with one change. I used my vacuum packer lid attachment. Doing so pulled all the air out of the stones fractures and pits and no doubt drew in the mixture. We will see... also, it limited the size of product going in as the opening of the jar is. 3”.

[@michaelpacnw2419]

I was thinking the same thing.. drop it in the mixture, put it under a vacuum to draw the air out of the stone, release the vacuum so it sucks the epoxy in to the voids.. repeat every day or so.

[@skorpian34]

I have to slab alot this year and this will help. Thank you so much!

[@Crimsonjewel1]

Great to see my friend on a great video while searching for an answer! Thanks!

[@rhondajones1313]

Can you do this to turquoise also? Thank you for the video

[@frostypop934]

Thank you. Very easy to follow and I am now subscribed!

[@jamesrodriguez9184]

Most most interesting information and techniques thank you

[@johnwheeler7805]

I'm going to try this with some soft andamooka matrix maybe some soft boulder matrix also. But under vacuum. I'll update with my results.

[@a.nik5647]

Thanks a lot for practical techniques. There is 2 questions . 1st: Is it possible to use acetone + ( epoxy) glue several times.? 2nd: I didn't notice (sorry) does it matter which one should be added to acetone?epoxy or hardener. Thank you.

[@debbiebaker1416]

Do the slabs stick/adhere to the cookie sheet after treatment? Would a cooling rack be okay to use during drying time?

[@rperrault16]

I'm new to stabilizing stones. Can this mixture be used again ,after you remove you stones?

[@fistofodin1]

So I’m guessing this seeps into all the fractures and hardens? I’ve been trying to polish some rainbow fluorite recents and it’s just not working because all the fractures.

[@debrabattenfield3848]

This is great for those rocks, but how do you stabilize Australian opal?

[@sullirsullir3232]

1. Will this work for larger, thicker pieces of turquoise? I would like to stabilize before trying to cut slabs. 2. Can/should you leave thicker chunks of stone in longer (can you leave it too long?). 3. Does it change the color of the stone? 4. Lastly, how effective is this method compared to using a pressurized method? Thank you!

[@jamesrich8463]

Would this work to fill in cracks in stone so you can't really see the cracks anymore...like a crack thru an agate hard to see wet but when its dry you can see the crack...would this seal and make the crack invisible or close to it? Or do we want to do like something else like vacuum chamber hardener to make cracks in stones disappear or almost disappear?

[@richardbuckner4400]

Love the video…..do you recommend trying to stabilize turquoise?

[@doledesigns5938]

Yes absolutely. I have recently been stabilizing using a vacuum chamber which I highly recommend. I hope to have a video up on this soon.

[@edgar-j6h]

love your video. this processe is similar to THE ZACHERY TREATMENT, the only one draw bak.... your shots (photos) are too close. thank you for your time and yes you kan reuse the acetone over and over resealing bak into the kan. you'll know when it is no longer usable.

[@terp4u2]

Do you feel from your experience working with epoxy backing that I can drill and rivet thru a stabilized piece?

[@samuelmorgan2314]

Thanks for the video. I bought some cut and polished unstabilized sleeping beauty turquoise cabs that have good color and polish. Will stabilizing darken the stones and if so to what degree?

[@surferjoe36]

Hi and thanks! Will this work with Sandstone?? I have some great Sedona red rock I want to use. Thanks for any answer:)

[@robertregalado3783]

High people I ran across this video about stabilizing gemstones and I found it so surprising to me. so here goes it's called sodium silicate or water glass you can get it from Amazon even. it does not like water any type of moisture so preheat your stones for two weeks minimum and under vacuum if you can do that. I like to cut the stone into the cabochon rough shape first. if the stone is left in a chunk that means it needs to be in a vacuum heat for months. to get rid of any moisture. when everything is cool then add the sodium silicate or water glass put it under vacuum and let it stay there for another week or longer.then pull it out and towel dry off any excess. sodium silicate or water glass is what the professionals lean on when they stabilize turquoise. read up on what activates and hardens the sodium silicate and best wishes....:-)

[@elainelily9910]

Call this water glue. On Gunsmoke they talked about using this stuff on eggs to preserve them. Obama used this stuff on his Cash for Clunkers. Poured it on the engines til they seized up to get them off the road and never to be resold again. Unintentionally ruined the used car market several yrs ago. Old timers say to bury the jar full of slabs and water glue in a dirt hole for 3 weeks in the desert heat. Other people use opticon and let it harden on their car dash in the hot AZ summer. Just passing along stuff I have heard from old rockhounds years ago.

[@lapidarydave]

great video❤

[@opalrocksart3371]

Thank you for your post ,very helpful 🌍😀

[@kingdarkem]

Wonder if this will work for coprolites

[@TheContes]

Hello! So does this make the harder? If I make forms with the stone using diamond bits should I do this before or after I’m done carving?

[@beefmelt]

does stabilizing allow for a soft rock to be tumbled to a shine?

[@WildatArt2025]

I am wondering where yall are from (located). You talk about Rural King and Mejier.😮

[@muskettgriffin8032]

Can you reuse the juice after you take the stones out.

[@mystic_tacos]

I've never heard of this, stabilizing stone. Can I do this with, well any kind of stone? I find a lot of cool smooth stones fishing. Well, I guess I should ask, why do you stabilize them? I'm sorry, this was on my recommended list and looked interesting.

[@doledesigns5938]

You stabilize soft or crumbly stone for cutting or making Cabochons for jewelry. Lapidary

[@patrickstrange6558]

there are some very pretty but soft stones that make great looking pieces. However, because they are soft or porous, they can't be polished, once stabilized they are hard and can be cut and polished.

[@elmerkilred159]

Will a clear two part epoxy used for sealing concrete garage floors work? (I have a Home Depot kit left over from another penny floor project).

[@lolabennion4382]

Definitely help for us newbies!

[@krookiemonster2673]

I've searched and searched for am answer to this question... I bought some really beautiful sodalite slabs. I really don't want it to chip or break so I'm wondering if I should stabilize it?

[@jerrystowe1747]

thank you !! great lesson !!

[@sandysee4972]

What a timely video😄! I've been looking for a way to stabilize a big rock I have (I think it might be Chrysocolla). It's pretty fragile right now, but it's I love the color of it, so I really want to do something with it. Would I have to first cut the stone into slabs before using this technique? Thanks so much😊.

[@doledesigns5938]

Sandy You should be able to do it while in the rough state. You may want to leave it in the solution the full 10 days and same with the dry time. I’m so happy this helped!!

[@sandysee4972]

@@doledesigns5938 Awesome! Thanks so much.

[@suesmith5746]

If you had a vacuum pot it would do a big stone for sure, you watch the air bubbles come out and when they stop leave vacuum on another 30 minutes. Small stone maybe 15 minutes, big stone up to two hours? That is why you need a clear lid on pot.

[@nathanyounkin6869]

How much epoxy is in those small tubes? Id live to know an amount, i have the larger size tubes to do more.

[@diggercvma367]

Just one note regarding safety. If you need a mask due to insufficient ventilation you actually need a respirator with the proper cartridges. Masks like what's used in this video generally do nothing to protect you from fumes such as acetone (even N95 and surgical masks do nothing to keep it out). There "may" be some I don't know about that are suitable however.

[@elainelily9910]

This should be done outside. In fact all lapidary cutting and grinding should be done outside in fresh air with a breeze

[@annmartin6386]

Ideally, but I live in an area where we have cold, snowy winters. I can't afford to work with stone only in warm weather. @@elainelily9910

[@gotbullusa]

I have some Utah Bacon Opal slabs. Would you recommend this method for them? I just want to be able to cut and display.

[@mimilexaa3516]

Does this method work for bone and fossils.. Wot happens if you put organic material in such a mixture?

[@clairefullam7434]

Can you tell me if the solution can be reused a second or third time? Or do you need to use fresh acetone epoxy each time?

[@melrobkoe]

Would this stabilize sandstone? For carving?

[@susanparker2760]

Do you work with stabilized material the same way you would unstablized? Can it be tumbled?

[@derekgoodwin4102]

Thank you for sharing

[@jackiebrickey6940]

Can I reuse the liquid?

[@dougtipton682]

Have you used this with opals? Particularly ethiopian opals??

[@ROCKINWHEELERS]

WATCHED ONCE AGAIN.

[@michellewinslett7776]

Can u use this for wavellite?

[@pstmeoff]

Can you stabilize opal this way?

[@pstmeoff]

Excellent vidio, BTW! Thank you so much!

[@mikerandolph5827]

Patsy Cakes, opal is so soft, the acetone breaks it down. Never use acetone on an opal.

[@mimilexaa3516]

@@mikerandolph5827 opal plus acetone breaksdown into?

[@annmartin6386]

@@mimilexaa3516 It breaks down into, "no more opal", all gone...

[@jonnymoka]

Are you from the globe Miami area? I live here. I recognize some of the mines you nemaed

[@johnwilkinson5718]

I was unable to get the Acetone like you have. I used to get it but seems like they're not stocking it here. I got a bottle of 100% pure acetone says all over the bottle, but says it contains Denatoniun Benzoate to make it extreme bitter so people won't drink it. Will this work with the epoxy 330 to stabilize turquoise?

[@susanfinken5496]

I have a piece of turquoise rough from the Mona Lisa mine I want to stabilize. Could I use this method ? I also want to cut it in 3 pieces when do I do that using a dremel type tool?

[@gisella1350]

Thank you very much.

[@donnaalbrecht5128]

can you reuse the stabilizing fluid?

[@jmsdvs5]

How do you dispose of the excess acetone or do you reuse it?

[@tannermedina2487]

Can this be used for soft coral

[@ken-fb7ge]

Thats great mam👍😘

[@janbounds911]

Was my understanding that you stabilize soft stones like turquoise by soaking in PEG til it stops bubbling. Just a thought.

[@petericeman100]

What would be the maximum thickness turquoise you would recommend? Thanks

[@bandilla7317]

nice

[@johnpaulwebercomedymusic9548]

Are the 330 epoxy 1/2 ounce or 1 ounce tubes???

[@billmusket2301]

Have you tried Cactus juice in a vacuum chamber

[@doledesigns5938]

I just ordered a vacuum chamber. Hope to do a video on that soon as well 😊

[@paulr4445]

Do the stones retain a wet look after the epoxy/acetone mixture dries?

[@EmsLifeOfLeisure]

I want to know too

[@k9taxi]

I'm using your method to stabilize some chrysocolla stone before cutting. I have an air tight glass container for this purpose. I noticed after placing the stone in the jar, the stone is releasing gas bubbles. I don't know what the gas is but I'm afraid the glass container will build up pressure and burst at some point. This would create a certain fire hazard if I left the glass jar in my house. Is it normal to see gas bubbles being released from the stone? I'm going to leave the container on my front porch in case it does build up pressure and burst. It's been between 20 to 40 degrees in my area. Not sure if the stabilizing process will work well at those temperatures.

[@bwsinfonia13]

If the stone is porous then it’s just air escaping, the pockets in the stone.

[@PeterHAdams]

How does one dispose of the used liquid?

[@susantipsyhealy7655]

Have you thought about using a compression chamber with this formulation?

[@doledesigns5938]

Susan 'Tipsy' Healy never have but heard of others doing it.

[@1scroggy1]

Compression wouldnt work,however vacuum chamber does an exelent job in a quick time

[@1scroggy1]

The reason it wont is because liquids dont compress but vac will remove all gas(air inside of stone)then when you release the vac stone will fill with stabilizer to replace what was filled with air

[@pattaylor7720]

Only thing I will also do since I will have a vacuum chamber available will be to evacuate air then dry.

[@jimmyyoo7076]

is there any rocks or minerals that are naturally blue in nature like a light shade of blue specifically cerulean

[@bmillerbb]

After turquoise is stabilized can it be tumbled?

[@dalemckenney1577]

Mask type?

[@markmilanich5874]

How do you discard of the left over solution of acetate and epoxy? Or can it be reused?

[@doledesigns5938]

Mark Milanich I have used the same solution twice. After that it weakens.

[@1scroggy1]

If you were to use a vacuum pump to pull a vac on the jar for an hour it would suck the stabilizer deep into the stone and save a whole lot of time ,possibly with even more saturation

[@raemaecable]

Does this work for amethyst that breaks while cutting?

[@doledesigns5938]

No unfortunately it would not be absorbed into amethyst.

[@cactuslog]

Thanks

[@kelilingmancingsmi]

Cool

[@sonuverma2796]

Where is that video second part

[@robertregalado3783]

question doesn't all the methods that you people have talked about Citrus juice or cactus juice or epoxy and acetone mixtures doesn't that make the stones turn a little yellowish Brown overtime. ?

[@doledesigns5938]

It’s being absorbed within the stone. I have never noticed any yellowing.

[@bubbleox8631]

You will improve your method if you first mix the 303 together and let the chemical reaction take place before you ad the acetone

[@troutchaser8073]

Have you done a video on how to remove oil from the slabs?

[@doledesigns5938]

Trout Chaser no I have not.

[@rbtharper]

The acetone should do a fabulous job of removing any oils, so I think it would not be an issue with this method.

[@elainelily9910]

All the old geezers place their oily slabs in kitty litter. Takes the oil right out. Then wash with Dawn

[@crystalfabulous]

Wonderful video thanks

[@malcolmthompson9848]

N-95s do not protect you from VOCs! They are meant for particulates. In this case you should use a respirator with cartridges specifically designed for organic vapors.

[@doledesigns5938]

Great observation- thank you!!

[@tomschmidt2607]

Where can you get the epoxy at

[@doledesigns5938]

Tom Schmidt I get it at Amazon

[@tomschmidt2607]

Dole Designs Is that the best one or is there others that will work and is it expensive

[@robertottley6839]

Try Dollar Tree. They have a 2 part kit. Same stuff epoxy and hardener.

[@PeterHAdams]

Will this work for opal?

[@mikerandolph5827]

No, acetone will dissolve opal and it will break into small pieces.

[@jfrei65]

do you need to refrigerate??

[@doledesigns5938]

J Frei No!! Left in room temperature area

[@steveschaefer5835]

Where do you get your stone slabs?

[@robertottley6839]

Try eBay under watches & jewelry category. Check out seller Rocketman_40310 (That is underscore between n and 4) I got some nice slabs from him.

[@doledesigns5938]

Steve Schaefer we cut slabs from rough. We have several other friends that we buy and exchange material from. I also have several FB groups that I buy and sell in.

[@karengummer6657]

I guess I'm a super newbie. What stones are soft?

[@debbiegates7834]

Can you reuse the solution?

[@doledesigns5938]

Debbie Gates I reused it once and increased the time to 10days. The epoxy seems to lessen or weaken.

[@BirdWhisperer46]

Stabilize for what? Lot's of replies, but no one says what stabilizing IS.

[@henryhurley1177]

Some stones are so soft, when you try to put them on a wheel to polish, they just grind away like chalk. Stabilizing kind of "glues" the particles together so it's stable enough for polishing

[@allataone786]

👍👍