Not everything is as it seems, especially in the world of rockhounding and lapidary. In this video, we get to experience both. Follow the journey of a beautiful piece of porphyry, found on a dirt road in Minnesota, all the way from being a dirt road stone to polished cabochons.
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Porphyry is a unique mineral rich in feldspar crystals, and the specimen featured here is particularly stunning with vibrant green and orange crystals throughout.
The video starts with a bit of rockhounding, where Taylor, aka Agate Dad, spots this exceptional piece of porphyry, packed with amazing crystals. He takes it home and cuts it open on his trusty 10-inch lapidary saw, revealing the beautiful patterns inside.
However, once the slabs are cut, the real work begins as he heads down to the workshop to shape and polish the individual slabs into cabochons.
Using the 220-grit wheel, Taylor shapes the four different cabochons, which results in a variety of designs, including an oval, a shield shape, and a teardrop (thanks to a happy little accident).
While porphyry is softer than silica-rich minerals like agate, it still takes a gorgeous polish, highlighting the vibrant feldspar crystals inside each piece.
