How do you cut fire agate?

Answer 1

Fire agate is a layered stone, often interspersed with crags, and crevaces. To begin you should wash off excess dirt, then soak the stone briefly so the color might be seen. It might help to knock off some of the excess chalcedony first, otherwise a very bright light will help. Usually there are apparent layers of stone, with the color found in the brown, or reddish layer. Work slowly with a 180 grit or finer wheel, and lots of water; periodically checking under bright light to see if fire is uncovered. When you are close to the color you desire STOP, change wheels to a 600 or finer grit. The difference between brilliant blues, purples, and a layer of mud is often a paper thin layer of rock. Do not work too much on a stone with brilliant color trying to get past an inperfection, they occur often, and naturally; the trick is to make it work for you by either setting in a smaller stone, or some gold, etc. As you become more comfortable with the work you should try using a dremel to follow the natural contours of color, finishing with a maple wheel and diamond compound to polish your rock. More than any other advice, get some stock for practicing, and wait till you have some experience before you cut into the nicer stones, also; enjoy yourself.