Making a Lightning Stone Pendant

I have found a few Michigan lightning stones or septarians but haven't made them into pendants until now. Being pretty soft, I didn't know how they'd turn out, but now I know.
- MERCH -
Buy Michigan Rocks shirts and other merchandise here.
michigan-rocks...
- HIGHLAND PARK LAPIDARY -
Highland Park makes some high quality tools at reasonable prices. I have two of their tumblers. They're the most rugged tumblers I have seen. They also make a wide range of other lapidary tools, including saws, sphere machines, cabbers, etc. They also have the best price on grit that I have found.
I make a commission if you buy something through this link. I doesn't cost you extra.
hplapidary.com...
- KINGSLEY NORTH -
Kingsley North is a lapidary store in Michigan's U.P. They make a great cab machine and sell many other brands too. They have a huge selection of rough rock, tumblers, grit, jewelry supplies etc. at good prices. If you buy using the following link, I make a small commission.
fas.st/t/u7uaxb5V
This is the cabbing machine I use:
fas.st/t/vCjRymKC
- THE ROCK SHED -
I buy a lot of lapidary supplies and rough rock from The Rock Shed. I don't make money from your purchases there, but they have good prices and good service. This is where I buy my finer grits and polish.
rockshed.com
- AMAZON STOREFRONT -
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- SUBSCRIBE -
On Michigan Rocks you can join me on relaxing rock hunts in picturesque Michigan. I'll also show you how to polish rocks and teach you other lapidary techniques. New videos are posted every Friday and some Tuesdays. Subscribe now so you don't miss any upcoming videos!
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[@lisamills-wv6nc]

Rob, with all the rockhounding videos i watch, i have to say, you have the best extraordinary, creative mind! From making puzzles, cabs, guitar picks Christmas ornaments, ect! Also, you are a wonderful teacher! Many people have learned so much from you, especially me! So thank you for all you do for us! 😊

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome, Lisa. It's always nice to hear from people like you who are learning something from them.

[@jimdutcher6678]

Another great video and finished product, Rob!

[@kellyhollingsworth6100]

I know the feeling slabbing all these rocks and then stare at them wondering what next. Excellent work sir turned out awesome as always.

[@MichiganRocks]

What's next is they usually go in a box to age for a couple of years!

[@kellyhollingsworth6100]

@@MichiganRocks Like a fine cheese.

[@gevinblue]

amazing stuff. i’ve always liked finding lightning stone when i would visit my grandparents in michigan.

[@mikegroothuis9247]

Very cool. Right from my local hunts, so to speak. Lightning stones are some of my favorites to polish.

[@MichiganRocks]

They take a great shine, especially for something so soft.

[@pattypaine]

What beautifully crafted works of art! Gorgeous!

[@Luciddreamer007]

“Michigan-Angelo” an artist in Rock 👊

[@MichiganRocks]

That might be going a bit too far, but thanks.

[@sharonrowland1196]

Hi Rob 👋😃 Beautiful Stones 👍love them❤👍😃 Wish I had spoken of those ROCKS 👍😃

[@jaybringus6818]

A simple camera jig setup like that could make a starting youtuber better in their craft, especially hobbyists. Love seeing a little behind the scenes as i watch this channel often and i used to follow you in the rock tumbling forums! Rock on!!

[@MichiganRocks]

Someone once suggested that I should film more like the guy on the Black Opal Direct KZbin channel. So I watched a couple of his videos and saw that he had a really nice system. Mine is based on that, but homemade and kind of wobbly. It works pretty well though.

[@ruthwagner2348]

⁠@@MichiganRocks - I’ve been following you since the beginning and still enjoy your videos. My question is what wire do you use? 20 gauge round or square? Thank

[@MichiganRocks]

@@ruthwagner2348 Here is the whole tutorial I use. There are three different sizes of wire that I use. They're all listed. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/68169/groove-wrap-tutorial-photo-heavy

[@kirsiselei8703]

Gorgeous😍i really like that lightning stone. Wish there would be those in hefe❤🇫🇮

[@mom42boys]

You do such beautiful work, Rob!! ❤

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

The cabs took a great shine! I didn't expect the calcite veins to do that. I couldn't see the holes at all. Beautiful pieces!

[@MichiganRocks]

The holes were pretty small, but they were there. Just part of the stone, so there wasn't much I could do about them.

[@firechicken455adventures]

You have made another fantastic peice Rob. Thanks for sharing.

[@robertguggenbickler1123]

Great job

[@markreetz1001]

Great video! That looked like a fine piece of jewelry! What was impressed with was your explanation of how the rock was formed. The rock fractured and the gaps filled up with the white compound! That explains a lot for me. I often wondered how you get stripes going in several directions in rocks. I was pretty sure it wasn't purely sedimentary rock.

[@MichiganRocks]

My knowledge of how rocks were formed is pretty limited. I did a little reading and I think I got that right.

[@francoiselandriault8164]

What beautiful pendants! Wow!!!

[@DeborahJohnson-bh9nd]

Those are exquisite!

[@gionnys90]

Wow.. ❤

[@easterazali9237]

Very beautiful! Love it 🤩😍

[@kellyharper367]

Old Disabled House Bound Dusty Rusty Rockhound here: That's really beautiful, Rob!

[@greatnorthernviews3052]

I love the looks of those. They are cool looking.

[@Dustin_the_wind]

I can appreciate a faceted gem, the less blood diamond (or insert gem type here) the better. But to take a stone that through a sequence of certain and special events, became something that would catch the eye of the one who looks and can see, truly adds value to the piece. Way to find it, rough it out, polish and stick the landing Rob. A lovely piece.

[@MichiganRocks]

There is something fun about going from picking up a rock off a beach to turning it into a finished piece of jewelry that's really satisfying. I guess that's why I keep doing this.

[@Hippiechick11]

They turned out wonderfully. I love this stone. Tganks Rob.

[@jcisn]

That's interesting. I used to find them outside of Laredo Tx when I was a kid, In fact, I have one sitting on a bookshelf from back there and then.

[@MichiganRocks]

I know they can be found in other places. It seems like others I have seen have more yellow in them.

[@virginiarocks]

These are gorgeous!

[@janehelbert7551]

Wow Rob, it turned out beautifully. Would love to find a lightning stone!

[@MichiganRocks]

I hope you do. I saw your other comment where you figured out a goo spot to look.

[@umich79]

Great detailed explanation of all the steps. Turned out beautifully!

[@obieobrien5883]

Really nice!

[@Kerrsartisticgifts]

This was great, these turned out beautifully.

[@jeffholmes1362]

Good job Rob, they look fantastic.

[@milesnn]

Fantastic as always

[@DecorAgate]

Very beautiful 😍😍😍

[@jennystone421]

I really like the clean design of the grooved wire wrap. The stone is the priority for my liking so that way of wrapping showcases it. I dont care to maximize the number of cabs, i would have preserved and cabbed the whole stone! I know thats not the norm tho, Im into big pendants😉 Another cool vid Rob!

[@MichiganRocks]

I think my pendants are pretty big as is. I can't imagine many people wanted to wear something as large as that whole slab. It is sometimes hard to cut them up though.

[@kastah]

Loved the pattern on that pendant rock, a pity you could`nt get more from that rock.

[@MichiganRocks]

I think I have another slab from that rock, so maybe one more. It's always a toss up as to whether I should go for quantity or quality.

[@markattardo]

They look awesome!

[@icatz]

I think you did great. I'm always in awe of lapidarys.

[@justjulee9135]

You always do such beautiful work! I love how the pendants turned out!!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@LadyYoop]

GORGEOUS!

[@LakeSuperiorGirl]

Very pretty!

[@donnalantz7981]

Those are so cool looking.

[@diann546]

Beautiful!

[@MariaCCurry]

Beautiful

[@Metal-Detecting-Texas]

Cool beans.

[@markhorn9239]

Very nice! I always thought they were too soft to work with like you did. I stand corrected!

[@MichiganRocks]

I didn't know any better, so I just went for it.

[@davidhile5363]

That turned out fantastic. I have yet to find a lightening stone which is kind of crazy as that part of the lake is not all that far from my Indiana home. We just don’t go there but should check it out this coming summer !

[@MichiganRocks]

They were really easy to find. I think it would be worth the drive for you. Take your wife along for the ride, go out for lunch. Make a day of it.

[@janicegelbhaar7352]

Thats a beautiful lightning stone , live what you did with it.

[@tinastoddard5411]

Very beautiful.

[@MargieTomlinson]

Love seeing what you do to keep busy during a Michigan Winter. This was a fun process to watch. You make it look easy. I see your Name pop up on Ore and WA. rock hounding pages when asked how they get their tumble stones so nicely polished. I make sure and LIKE those posts Have a pound + of Michigan agates a gift from a club member in the tumbler now. They look like Lakers but were collected on the Minnesota side.

[@MichiganRocks]

Minnesota has a lot more agates than we do, so that doesn't surprise me. Thanks for helping me out by recommending my videos. I'm on Facebook now, so you can direct people to my page there if it's easier.

[@MargieTomlinson]

I will head over to FB and find and follow you!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@MargieTomlinson Thanks!

[@danacataldi5119]

Very nice!!

[@jamesburke6078]

That is cool...I found a dark grey sandstone with pinkish veins spidering all over.... think it might be rare... definitely as interesting as the one you have... maybe arkose?

[@darellberglind8130]

SUPER AWESOME!!! love your vids!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks, Darell!

[@kengensjewelry]

I was about to throw some lightning stones into a vibratory tumbler (I don't expect much, but the experiment must be done) and here you are, making a pendant out of them. Nicely done!

[@MichiganRocks]

I suspect that they are harder to tumble but I haven't tried yet.

[@arasagyb]

Muy bueno!

[@JeffWeymier]

Very nice.

[@shanna74]

That's Awesome just beautiful!

[@phyllispeterson5800]

Good job

[@therockapprentice2605]

Really great video Rob. I appreciate you showing in this video and your other videos all the steps. I am about ready to invest in all the pliers, wire and groove cutting equipment. One question. You mentioned that you just replaced your third wheel on your cab machine. How could you tell it was time to replace? I agree that this wheel is definitely going to be the first that needs replacing but just not sure how to tell when to pull the trigger.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm no expert, but I decided based on how long it was taking to get the scratches out that were left by the second wheel. I could have used that wheel for quite a while longer if I was just doing Petoskeys stones, but for harder rocks, it was getting pretty ineffective.

[@kimfrommn7162]

Another Awesome Project!! It is Gorgeous, I Love it!!! You do an excellent job on showing and explaining what you are doing thru the whole process!!! Loved the Video!! I hope all is going great for you and Nancy!! Did you get enough of that little guy over the holiday season!?! I sure hope so!!! 🤗🤗❤️‍🔥❄️☃️🥶🌈

[@MichiganRocks]

I had Covid for the first time over Christmas, so I did not get enough. Everyone else was healthy, so they got to spend time together, but I don't know if Nancy ever gets enough of Joe or Maria.

[@kimfrommn7162]

@@MichiganRocks Nooooooo! What a Big Bummer!! Knock on Wood! I have not caught COVID and I hope I never will! Well, I hope you got to celebrate after Christmas with your little Joe!! This wasn't what I wanted to hear!?!?! 🤣 Happy Week!!! 🥰🥶❄️

[@MichiganRocks]

@@kimfrommn7162 That was my first time getting it. I had a good run, but got it eventually.

[@kimfrommn7162]

@@MichiganRocks I just saw from your, what I thought was the end of the conversation , still had another line!!! Who is Maria?!?! Joes little sister!?!?

[@kimfrommn7162]

@@MichiganRocks I lost my reply!! Start over!!! In your first reply, I did not see your last sentence, till now!! Who is Maria? Joe's little sister?!?! Oh I hope so!!!!!!! 🤗❤️☀️🙋🏻‍♀️

[@solviiclandrocks1106]

Nice🎉

[@MarkDavis-ub8ty]

I recently made a pendant from a lightening stone my wife found at Pier Cove last September. Wish I could post a picture of it here. Came out real nice.😊

[@MichiganRocks]

I think this same video is on my Facebook page. You can find the link to that in the description. You could show my a picture there. I'd love to see it.

[@1960slickcraft]

I have lightning rocks from Pilgrim Haven but no equipment to make a pendant.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yeah, the lightning stone is the easier thing to acquire. It took me a few years to get my first cab machine, which I bought used.

[@haidarhaidar5896]

😍😍😍

[@soul_adventurist]

I’ve seen the glass cutter machine at Hobby Lobby. Actually have been debating over whether or not I should buy one. I have cabs that I have purchased from WORH but they may be too thin to cut a groove in. I need to practice wire wrapping.

[@MichiganRocks]

I sometimes cut my slabs a little thicker just to be sure I have enough room for a groove and a domed cab.

[@weirdscience1]

Probably a tip you're aware of is, for finite trimming and smoothing, drag your rock backwards/towards you against your cutting blade.

[@MichiganRocks]

I am very aware of that. I cut a lot of shapes on the saw that then go straight to the tumbler. I make stone crosses, turtles, Christmas ornaments, etc. I use that technique a lot.

[@kaybreece8701]

So, there.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@kaybreece8701 Is that how that came across? Oops.

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

Hey, Rob: at the very beginning of this episode it looks as if you sawblade is wobbling. Take care. I love your program.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yeah, it has a slight wobble, but it settles down as soon as the blade hits the rock.

[@ЕлисейСентябрьский]

Hi! How do you call a substance where you dip a stick in order to attach a stone to it?

[@MichiganRocks]

It's just called "dop wax".

[@CharlieNaebeck]

Nice work! Just curious. Where do you get your masonary blades for your bandsaw from in order to trim down the rocks?

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't own a lapidary bandsaw. The saw I use for almost all of my hand cutting is a 10 inch lapidary saw with a round blade, much like a tile saw or a table saw for woodworking. The blade I use is the .040" one on this page: www.rockshed.com/rock-shop/lapidary-equipment/diamond-blades/mk-303-10″-professional-continuous-rim-lapidary-diamond-blades/

[@timothyholloway9574]

Rob , great work . I met someone who brought you up at a art guild in Hibbing , MN . I looked at some tree art your sister taught . Small world eh' Next trip I can send you amazing hunting grounds up here .

[@MichiganRocks]

You met my sister June? You said she was teaching "tree art". Do you mean "pebble art"? That's what she has been doing. If she's branched out into something new, I didn't know about it. I would LOVE to hear about some new places to hunt in Minnesota. I'll try to remember to contact you next time I'm heading that way. Thanks!

[@timothyholloway9574]

It was a different artist , who showed me her work and told me about her classes. Then went pm to tell me about her brother who may be more about the stuff I was talking about. Exactly the sort of art you just did . Except most likely not as well to the polishing . 😢tools . I wish I could send pics of my local stuff. Even on Dec. 27 th my birthday I rockhounded a fallen bank of the edge of a great drift.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@timothyholloway9574 That's some serious rockhounding if you're out in late December in Northern Minnesota!

[@timothyholloway9574]

If you seen the rocks I found you would tip over possibly . 3 red stromatolite filled binghamite jasper. 8 # , 11 # & 13 lbs just gorgeous cutters.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@timothyholloway9574 Sounds awesome. I found some Binghamite in May, but only little tumble size pieces.

[@kristacpenney]

Do you sell the cabs you make? If so, can you add a link to the description?

[@MichiganRocks]

I sell a few at a local shop. They don't have an online store, but will work with you if you call or email. olivetbookandgift.com

[@titanbuck7]

U made such a nice piece...i have no words. I hope to learn how you made the wire wrap. It looks confusing.

[@MichiganRocks]

Here's the tutorial I use. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/68169/groove-wrap-tutorial-photo-heavy

[@suzettecalleja3122]

How do you decide where to put your girdle line?

[@MichiganRocks]

I make the groove first, then I try to center the groove on the girdle. I'm not sure if there's a proper way to do it, that's just what I do.

[@HELLtoPAY715]

How long does it usually take to polish up a stone this way?

[@MichiganRocks]

It depends a lot on the type of rock. This one was soft, so it's quicker than a really hard rock. I'd say that just the doming and polishing on this one was around 20 minutes. That doesn't include slabbing, cutting the rough shape on the saw, or grinding the teardrop shape more accurately on the cab machine.

[@HELLtoPAY715]

@MichiganRocks OK so slow and steady. I just got my first lapidary saw and need to remind myself to slow down and have patience with rocks. Thanks for the response!

[@wdcav1952]

I love your videos. Can you please tell me where to order the bit that cuts the girdle on the cabochon? Thanks and keep up the great work.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yep, I can do that. In the description of this video, there's a link to my Amazon storefront. I have a link to it there.

[@ronaldhoppus9015]

Thanks for the inspiration. Was going to get this setup but can't find the groove cutting bit. Where is that from?

[@MichiganRocks]

Go to the description of this video and find my Amazon storefront. I have it listed there. I just ordered a couple new ones for myself. The other one was the only one I've ever had, so they last quite awhile.

[@ronaldhoppus9015]

@@MichiganRocks Thanks Rob

[@dailthegoat799]

Instead of doing it on the wheel could you just tumble it with aluminum oxide on the vibratory tumbler? I think that might work

[@dailthegoat799]

It wouldn’t be as perfect and not that smooth maybe put it in some corce grit first

[@MichiganRocks]

These are really soft, so I don't think that would work well. I tumble lots of stuff that doesn't turn out perfect, but sometimes I like to make an attempt at something closer to perfection.

[@butchgarner3911]

Great video! question if i may, what Ga. of wire did you use to wrap it? thanks for sharing!

[@MichiganRocks]

There are three different types of wire in that wrap. Here's a complete tutorial that I use: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/68169/groove-wrap-tutorial-photo-heavy

[@butchgarner3911]

Thank you!

[@rabbitgirl42]

Hello, Sir: I enjoy your videos very much. I live in Missouri. Is there a website (like Etsy?) that a person can purchase your jewelry from? Thank you for your time.

[@MichiganRocks]

No, but I do sell them in a local shop. In fact, I was in there earlier in the week and this pendant was still available. They don't have an online store, but will work with you if you call or email. olivetbookandgift.com

[@JessicaLundgren]

These are extraordinary! Do you make any pendants to sell?

[@MichiganRocks]

I sell a few at a local shop. I took one of these there and gave the other one away. They don't have an online store, but will work with you if you call or email. olivetbookandgift.com

[@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976]

I really want to make those grooves on my pendants.

[@MichiganRocks]

Check my Amazon storefront for a link to the bit I use. I use it on a glass grinding machine for making stained glass.

[@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976]

@@MichiganRocks I will have a look, I was telling hubby about it.

[@dolinakamnej]

Good afternoon Rob, where did you buy the cutter with a diamond disc?

[@MichiganRocks]

The one for making the groove? The machine is a glass grinder for doing stained glass. The bit is a groove bit. I have a similar machine and the exact bits listed in my Amazon storefront. You can find that in the description of this video.

[@thuneggro]

Whats the name of all the wheels and is it all of them diamond made?

[@MichiganRocks]

It's called a cab machine. Cab is short for "cabochon" which is a domed rock that's used for something like a pendant. It does have diamond wheels. Here is my review of it a couple links to it: Cabber 6 Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGSTknWKqp6Cobs Cabber 6 with upgraded wheels (the one in this video): kingsleynorth.com/kingsley-north-cabber-6-nova.html?ref=robertabram1& (affiliate link) Standard Cabber 6: kingsleynorth.com/kingsley-north-cabber-6.html?ref=robertabram1& (affiliate link)

[@Metal-Detecting-Texas]

I love the jig, great idea, can I steal that from you? The idea not the actual jig.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm not sure what jig you're referring to, but you're welcome to steal any ideas that you would like to. That's the point of videos like this one. I do appreciate that you're not planning to steal any of my physical property though.

[@Metal-Detecting-Texas]

The one that hold your camera.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@Metal-Detecting-Texas Oh, that one. I was thinking of jigs to hold rocks.

[@SmithnWesson]

Do you sell the pendants?

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, I sell a few things at a local shop. They don't have an online store, but will work with you if you call or email. olivetbookandgift.com

[@jamesburke6078]

I'll tell you what I know...my house sits on a creek at bottom of mountain... after carful study it appears to be a rock slide, and was obviously volcanic at some point... finding a lot of different crystal... magnetic sand!

[@MichiganRocks]

That rock sounds cool. I find black sand on the beaches of Lake Superior all the time. Probably about a quarter of it is magnetite.

[@ОлегИванов-ъ5л]

Как называется такой станок для полировки?

[@MichiganRocks]

Это называется машина-такси. Кабошон - это сокращение от «кабошон», который представляет собой куполообразный камень, используемый в качестве чего-то вроде подвески. Вот мой обзор на него, пара ссылок на него: Обзор Cabber 6: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGSTknWKqp6Cobs Cabber 6 с модернизированными колесами (тот, что в этом видео): kingsleynorth.com/kingsley-north-cabber-6-nova.html?ref=robertabram1& (партнерская ссылка) Стандартный Каббер 6: kingsleynorth.com/kingsley-north-cabber-6.html?ref=robertabram1& (партнерская ссылка)

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

👁👁 👋🪨🪨 Happy to drop by … 10:00

[@wanderwomen6574]

Idea... stone book ends.

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't have a saw quite big enough for that.

[@debramaertens893]

Love sectarians! That first one looks like a birch tree.

[@MichiganRocks]

I was thinking a leaf, but I can see a tree too.

[@ruthchapman3847]

Very nice

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

Beautiful!

[@Karen-zh7hx]

Very nice