Nephrite Jade Block

[Richard338]

I picked up a nice block of nephrite jade (Wyoming) at a rock auction yesterday for $30.
It is roughly 3.5" x 2.25" x 2". I'm trying to come up with a plan to use it for some handles.
I found an old thread from 2007 in which Stacy gave a lot of good advice about polishing jade.

I saw a Warenski dagger with a purple stone handle, spiral fluting and gold wire inlay that looks really nice...

I don't have any lapidary equipment and don't want to invest too much.
There are two rock shops in town, so I will find out if they can cut the block.

So far I'm thinking to have it cut in half splitting the 2.25" side.
I don't know how much you lose by cutting from the blade width.

I was possibly even thinking about 4 pieces, but if I go with round fluted handles with a swell in the middle, I want the thickest part to be at least 1". Another option (depending what they charge to cut, would be take a slab off one side (for some future purpose) and then split the rest into the two I want.
Ultimately I want at least a pair of fluted dagger handles out of this.
My understanding is that I should be able to shape it on my belt grinder.
I will probably pick up some diamond bits to drill holes.

Any suggestions?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Give it a try if you want, but the chances of working that type jade on a belt grinder isn't good. It will likely fray apart into slivers. You have to have a wet grinder, BTW. From there, polishing is another realm. I am not saying it can't be done, but the degree of difficulty for someone with no lapidary experience would be high. I would compare it to someone who just built a two brick forge and has a ball peen hammer and a block of granite deciding to make a feather billet damascus.

As it is it will work as a nice paperweight. As a pile of jade shards .... ummm ...not so much.

You would be better to use an acrylic faux jade from one of the handle material suppliers.

 

[Richard338]

How did you know about my two brick feather Damascus project!?...

As always, I appreciate your expertise and advice.
However, I'm not inclined to use acrylic.
This is just a hobby for me and I have no timeline or anyone to make happy except myself.

Given the difficulties you describe, I might try to get another smaller piece to test/practice on before ruining my paper weight.

This jade piece was only $30. I'm procrastinating starting one with the $250 piece of interior mammoth tusk that I just got and am afraid to screw up.

Thanks again.