Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Find an agate. Your best bet is along the shores of Lake Superior after an icy winter or immediately after a storm. Look for beaches that are laden with pebbles.
Determine the size of your agate. Is it small (less than a quarter-pound, or is it closer to a pound? Very large agates are rare, although Lake Superior agates the size of bowling balls and weighing up to 100 pounds have been discovered.
Tumble small agates in drums to reveal their colors and polish them. Tumble the stones for a few days--but for best results, take your time. Tumble the agates, water and some coarse sandpaper grit for a week, then wash and tumble the stones with a medium grit for another week. Finish by washing and tumbling with a polishing agent for two weeks.
Determine how you are going to cut any large agates you have found. Create a shelf display or a paperweight by cutting your agate in half. Cut thinner slices about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick to make chunky jewelry or to use the agate pieces in things such as a suncatcher. Use the diamond grinding plate to create shapes and smaller sizes for finer jewelry items.
Make an initial cut by stabilizing the agate in a vise and slicing through with the diamond bandsaw. Cut the halves into slices or jewelry pieces by repositioning your agate in the vise and, using your saw again, cutting to your preferred thickness. Inspect your work in the sunlight to determine if it is thin enough. At this stage, the agate piece will be cloudy and rough.
Cut smaller squares, diamond shapes or circles with instruments more suited for fine detail work. Use the grinding plate attachment on your cutting tool and shape each piece individually.
Grind down any saw marks or damage to your agate pieces. Use the diamond grinding plate for the initial shaping and to eliminate large rough patches.
Use sandpaper ranging from 80 to 600 grit to polish the agate. For best results, wet the sandpaper.
Care for your agate display pieces or jewelry. An agate can chip or even crack easily--especially once cut and shaped. Protect the stone from scratches, drastic temperature changes and do not clean it with household chemicals.