Rough Polishing Agates with Diamond Wheel -- Not A How To

Just a little busy work rough cleaning up some agates before they go in the tumbler. Working down through some cracks to ensure the beautiful banding can be fully visible.
I grind down cracked areas to ensure the cracks don't spread and fracture the stones. I do this before I do anything else with the agates. Rough polishing helps identify cracks, fractures, and patterns.
Working with the edge of a diamond wheel isn't really a skill that can be taught so much as observed and adapted for personal style. That's how styles and techniques are developed.
For me, I like the organic form. I shape stones as if they were found perfectly polished. Sure, you could use a vibratory tumbler, but the challenge is to allow a random shape to be revealed without exerting my expectation of form or shape upon the stone. I often spend several weeks working between different stones as they evolve from rough to ready for polishing.
Undulating and smooth textures combine to form a tactile and visual interest that invites handing and inspection. The highest compliment to a lapidary is a stone that invites constant handling and inspection.
Contact:
David Briggs
PO Box 628
Gold Beach, Oregon
97444

[@goinbananas1054]

Thanks for making and keep it up! I've got some amazing Jasper agates and I want to sell most in their rough state but Iim.cutting and polishing some just because of how cool they are. I've tumbled a few and the look great but I think I prefer cutting and polishing one section and leaving the rest of the rock natural, that way you get the best of both worlds

[@a.bearsfan4lyf89]

"Just a little busy work..." 👌🤣 A lot of people don't realize that it's the "busy work" that can make the difference between just another pretty polished rock and a memorable work of stone art. In many cases, I've found that the "busy work" is what brings out the true beauty of a stone. Now... concerning that camera work... 😉🤣🤣🤣

[@DavidBriggsAdventures]

It's hard to keep the camera off my face and stay in frame. 😉

[@karlkarlsson1441]

Yup! What jim said.

[@DavidBriggsAdventures]

I guess it proves that I was so focused on what I was doing and not cutting my fingers off that I just plain forgot to perform for the camera. I was also pretty clear this was not a "How To". This is the mundane "busy work" that a lapidary must do to get stones ready for usage. It's not all exciting finds of stones with crazy detail. Hours of work go into preparing these stones for use.

[@karlkarlsson1441]

It was still better than most!! Hehehe!!!!@

[@jimv.661]

You might want to watch where the camera is pointing. Lots of footage of your thumb, pants, and shirt.

[@DavidBriggsAdventures]

I guess it proves that I was so focused on what I was doing and not cutting my fingers off that I just plain forgot to perform for the camera. I was also pretty clear this was not a "How To". This is the mundane "busy work" that a lapidary must do to get stones ready for usage. It's not all exciting finds of stones with crazy detail. Hours of work go into preparing these stones for use.