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Techniques for CollectorsRainbow Obsidian Images

18th Mar 2013 16:12 UTCGabriella Paparella

Can someone tell me how these images are achieved in faceting Rainbow Obsidian. I do know that there is usually only 1 direction that you can orient the slab/cab to view the colors but then are 2 slabs then somehow glued together to get the identical symmetry?

https://www.google.com/search?q=rainbow+obsidian+heart&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=-ztHUabpPKfA2gW8xoCoCA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=712#imgrc=F0G6AxLK17xpNM%3A%3B3jQmOAu-jQV_tM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fthecrystalman.com%252Fimage%252Fcache%252Fdata%252FPolished%252Frain%252520ob%252520heart%252520A2%252520%28sm%29%252520003-700x700.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fthecrystalman.com%252Frainbow-obsidian-twin-heart-carving-a-obr2140h%3B700%3B700

18th Mar 2013 20:22 UTCDavid Von Bargen Manager

Obsidian usually shows some flow banding (in rainbow you get layers with inclusions and layers without) http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/obsidian

If you orient the rock so the banding is parallel to the back and do a cabachon cut, the bands will follow the outline of the stone.

19th Mar 2013 21:02 UTCGabriella Paparella

Thanks David for your reply.

I see my photo didn't post. So how is something like this achieved?
http://www.rikoo.com/pro/1103085.html

19th Mar 2013 21:04 UTCAlfredo Petrov Manager

The colored layers are flat, so you can get hearts or any other shape you like, depending on where you cut more deeply.

19th Mar 2013 23:48 UTCRock Currier Expert

Its a bit like making cameos from agates or shell where you have one colored layer lying more or less flat over another of a different color. With this type of obsidian, the layers are not as clearly defined as in cameo rough. The guys in the Congo and other places who work/worked with malachite take advantage of this same effect to create rings and bulls eyes in their finished lapidary work.

20th Mar 2013 00:21 UTCGabriella Paparella

OK, I get it now...wow that precise symmetry is lying beneath? That's amazing!

20th Mar 2013 00:54 UTCAlfredo Petrov Manager

No, Gabriella, that "precise symmetry" is created by the cutter!

20th Mar 2013 01:14 UTCGabriella Paparella

Alfredo...are they cutting into the deep valleys to get the heart illusion or am I just not getting it?

20th Mar 2013 01:39 UTCAlfredo Petrov Manager

If you have different coloured layers, then by cutting away parts of the topmost layers, the cutter can leave the lower layers showing any pattern he or she likes, including hearts. Hearts seem to be the most popular shape for rainbow obsidian, but if someone wanted to make a yin-yang symbol, peace sign, or star of David, they could do that too.

20th Mar 2013 01:49 UTCGabriella Paparella

Got it. Thanks so much! What a cool art form. :)

20th Mar 2013 04:39 UTCJuan Ángel Tort Figueroa

Only work from mexican cutters!!!!

20th Mar 2013 14:25 UTCGabriella Paparella

Gorgeous work Juan!