FAIRY OPAL FROM QLD

ANDAMOOKA RAINBOW MATRIX FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA

These opals are from 2 different areas. The fairy opal is found in sandstone matrix while the Andamooka rainbow matrix is a limestone matrix. Both these stones are light coloured but become vibrant black when treated. The treatment is the same for both and you can also use oil. We will label them so you can have a interesting cutting experience.

photo taken wet.

TREATMENT FOR FAIRY OPAL AND ANDAMOOKA MATRIX WITH SUGAR ONLY.


MATERIALS
250 grams glucose, white castor sugar, pot or pressure cooker, plastic tweezers.
STEPS
-Pre shape the material

- Thoroughly dry the material in oven sun or hairdryer.
- Put water in pot on low temperature and add glucose and castor sugar. DO NOT BOIL.
-Place warmed stones into warm solution and cover the stone with liquid.
-leave on low temperature for 24 hours but DONT BOIL.
-Remove with tweezers and let cool. Use a paper town to wipe away access.
The next steep is to carbonize the sugar in the stone. Place the stones on a metal or Pyrex dish and place in a kiln at 600 degrees for one hour. This will burn or carbonize the sugar in the stone.
_When the stones have cooled clean on a grinding wheel.
Remember to take all precautions with gloves and mask and clothing with good ventilation.
This is a natural product so results may vary a bit due to how porous the sandstone is. Some material will have to be treated a few times to get good results. You can also experiment with various temperatures as i like to cook with lower temperatures.
Remember to have fun!
WE HAVE TAKEN THE PHOTO WITH THE ROUGH WET.
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POLISHING
This parcel The surface is porous so its hard to get a good finish.
You can polish as a natural stone or coat it with resin to get a better finish.
We suggest a polymer resin as its stable. inert and nontoxic and doesn't yellow. Check out our listings of fairy opal polished in sedaopals. Some of there were polished in chine under vacuum with a amazing finish.
We have also used mono-compontent thermo set resin, cynoacrylates and 2 parts resin but these can turn yellow over time. ive even heard of nail polished used and hardened under uv lights.
We have taken the photo with the stone wet.
The weight and size is app.