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Gem Silica - Many Aren't Aware Of A Very Valuable Mineral


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That's really cool Jason, thanks for the post.

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If you can drill that rock with a 5/8" or larger" carbide drill in an electric hammer drill, you can pour an expandable grout into the holes call Dexpan--Home Depot--or? It's reputed to break rock with a minimum of violence. I haven't tried it. Also your gemstone with inclusions should bring some good $$ from all the people taking up cabochon cutting whether as a hobby or business. Plenty of wild rough stone being sold on eBay. But if your stone turns out to be really gemmy, then to Tucson, and you'll probably sell out.

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16 hours ago, YubaJ said:

If you can drill that rock with a 5/8" or larger" carbide drill in an electric hammer drill, you can pour an expandable grout into the holes call Dexpan--Home Depot--or? It's reputed to break rock with a minimum of violence.

I drilled about 15 5/8" holes before my rotary hammer ran out of batteries. I prefer feathers and wedges over Dexpan because they are quicker though. And I find the tap-tap-tapping of the hammer and cracking of the rock to be relaxing. 🔨

Two of the feathers/wedges are visible in this picture.

image.png.ee8ac4e25da95ab343f71a8444c7e97b.png

Next time I'm going to get some bigger pieces out with my concrete saw though, which is the opposite of relaxing to run.

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