WALRUS TEETH

This Faceting Focus column is a bit different this time in two ways. First, this project does not have a design and is faceted freehand. Second, the material used is not transparent. Instead, the material is opaque, and this example is made using a fossilized walrus tooth from Alaska.

- MARK OROS

Macramé fossil walrus tooth necklace

Note: The fossilized walrus tooth used here is ancient and no animals were harmed. The material is legal and was gathered on the surface and no laws were broken in its harvesting.

COMBINING LAPIDARY TECHNIQUES

I consider faceting as one of many lapidary techniques in the spectrum of creating beautiful gemstones. Although it is mainly used for clear gemstone fabrication, it can be used and combined with other lapidary techniques. Faceting can be enticing when combining sculpturing with cabbing, knapping, carving and even fantasy faceting. A good example of combined lapidary techniques would be a faceted buff top gemstone where the pavilion is faceted and the crown is cabbed.

Fossil walrus teeth before faceting

COLD WAX DOPPING

Fossilized walrus teeth are irregular in shape and need a special method for dopping. Here are the seven steps for the cold wax method.

1. Decide which direction you want to dop.

2. Select a cone dop that is at least three-quarters the diameter of the tooth. You want the dop to be smaller than the tooth’s diameter so you can facet the tooth without faceting the dop.

3. You want the tooth to be as straight as possible in the dop. I highly recommend that you practice aligning the tooth in the dop before using the wax.

4. Heat the wax and then place a ball of wax in the dop to fill it. It is better to have a little too much wax than not enough.

5. While the wax is still hot, press the tooth into the wax as straight as possible. Hold the tooth in place for about two minutes until the wax cools. The dopping does not have to be perfect. Remember, you will be freehand faceting the design.