Custom Carving Agate Cameos

[Daniel_Schifter]

We’re interested in custom carving agate cameos. Now, I’m somewhat
familiar with how they are making production of the same design with
ultrasonic milling. But I was wondering if anyone had any familiarity
with doing custom designs in agate cameos with a laser or other type
of machinery.

Thanks for your time.

Daniel Schifter
Photograve Corp.

[Teri]

Do you have any idea how much that laser technology costs? The
German company guards it’s secrets very well.

Good luck

Teri
An American Cameo Artist
www.cameoartist.com

[kpkelly]

An ultrasonic drill would probably be the appropriate tool, not a
laser.

Kevin

[John_Donivan]

I discussed cutting agate with a laser once with someone, and he
said it was not feasable because there was too much chance of
breakage - it might not happen, but there’s a high percentage of
problems. Hand cutting cameos is straighforward, but it takes a long,
long time - that’s why they’re expensive. A cutting arbor (I have
used a flex shaft), water bath, tiny diamond burs, polish with
compound and toothpicks or wheels. I don’t know of any other
machinery that would do it. If there were, trust me, Edar Oberstein
would be using it.