A vast number of years ago I got some slabs of Parrot Wind
Chrysocolla.
There is a note with it stating that it is jasper Parrot wing
chrysocolla from Mexico.
It has various shades of turquoise blues and greens, and some deep
maroon. Really beautiful markings. The slabs are roughly 5"X7", very
sold, hard material, and I have several of them.
I never got involved with lapidary work, but am considering making
these slabs into cabochons.
My studio has reached gridlock, with so many tools, and equipment,
that getting a professional set-up is not feasible.
However, I do have a Hytec “All in one,” system, which includes a
number of flat discs, and various compounds for polishing. It is
compact enough so that I can set it up without having to dismantle
everything in the studio to accommodate it. I also have a contraption
with blades for cutting slabs I have had these for a number of years,
but have never used them. Now seems a good time.
I have not seen this material being used in jewelry, and wonder why
it isn t being used more often. It is really beautiful, and certainly
beats all the synthetic turquoise flooding the market. I can see it
set in both gold and silver, and would like to incorporate it into my
work.
Are there any suggestions you would like to offer regarding my
cutting and polishing it?
I have all the instructions that came with the Hytec system, but
they are generic, and not specifically aimed at Parrot wing
Chrysocolla.
Alma