[Jewelry making - Article 01061] - Re: [Orchid] Lapidary saw coolant

[Terry Ogden]

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Hratch

>     know oils will stain some of these more delicate stones but which?
>     are safe and not. 

    Nearly all quartz based stones are safe to use with oil.
    Chrysoprase, a cryptocrystalline quartz, is safe to use with oil. 

    Dendrites, such as moss agate I would use only water with as
    sometimes the dendrites are crystal structures that form in a void,
    if this is the case, the crystals will collapse leaving an ugly blob
    if you use oil. 

    Ocean Jasper is also quartz based, it should be fine, the opal would
    be ok. 

    Turquoise would not be ok unless if was a very good solid material,
    some of the cheaper less stable stuff would absorb the oil, the same
    applies to chryscolla. 

    When using oil always wash your stones after cutting. I keep a
    bucket of hot soapy water when I cut and as soon as the stone comes
    off the blade it goes into the bucket to be cleaned, and I clean my
    rough after cutting also. A lot of times I use a water cooled blade
    just to cut down on the cleaning after cutting. 

    Oil will impair the ability of the dopping wax to adhere to your
    stone if it is not cleaned well. I have used acetone to remove oil
    from my cuttings but I really don't like to, it is way to volatile. 

    For the stones you have listed, oil would be ok, but like all
    things, keep a notebook of what you work with. A good example is
    Amazonite, Colorado material will cut fine with oil and does not soak
    into the stone, most of the Canadian amazonite I have worked with is
    ok also, the Russian has pieces of mica imbedded into it and only
    finishes well if water cut, any exposed mica will absorb the oil and
    turn black, if water cut it will keep the shiny appearance and can
    look quit attractive when finished. 

    May not have answered all your concerns, but just cut and keep a
    record of the material, and clean after cutting whether water or oil,
    water is easier none of the additives I have used have affected my
    stones. Some stones will only cut well with oil, water does not cool
    well enough to protect the blade. 

    Hope this helps. 

Terry
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