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Geeking up (from piece of shell to almost white stone)
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Author:  RBerenguel [ Tue Jul 08, 2014 4:55 am ]
Post subject:  Geeking up (from piece of shell to almost white stone)
Last weekend I was on mini-holidays in Northern Catalonia (which is actually in France.) On the beach I saw several largish pieces of "old" shells (they look like stones actually, they can be tricky to spot unless they are holed.) And thought "hmmm..." So, yesterday I picked the most roundish piece (so I didn't need to work that much) and

Dremel, with sanding band. Surprisingly neither stone head nor metal head worked better.

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After lots of sanding I got a roundish shape, around 1mm longer than wider. I thought "oh well, good enough" (was tiring.) Then, sandpaper (grades 120, 280, 360, 400) and leather stropping (insole leather, on the reverse.) Pictures on follow up post (max 3 attachments!)
Author:  RBerenguel [ Tue Jul 08, 2014 4:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Geeking up (from piece of shell to almost white stone)
First pic was way too large for inlining

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Author:  RBerenguel [ Tue Jul 08, 2014 4:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Geeking up (from piece of shell to almost white stone)
In pictures it doesn't look specially shiny, but it's relatively shiny (not as much as my "real" shell stones or ceramic ones, but good enough.) Next step would be jeans and cloth shining, though. If I didn't think it would stain it, I'd use jeweller's rouge for this.
Author:  skydyr [ Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Geeking up (from piece of shell to almost white stone)
I was under the impression that shell stones are waxed to help preserve them and provide some of the luster. Perhaps powdered caranuba wax or the like would help once you're done polishing it?
Author:  RBerenguel [ Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Geeking up (from piece of shell to almost white stone)
Yup, they are waxed, I think. But the only waxes I have available right now (and are willing to get more) are the shoemaking kind. Maybe I can try some Saphir uncoloured, they are essentially beeswax and not much more, so it shouldn't harm the shell
Author:  ez4u [ Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Geeking up (from piece of shell to almost white stone)
RBerenguel wrote:
First pic was way too large for inlining

...

Yes, so were the other two, especially on my iPad! :blackeye:
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