Using gemstone/mineral in handles

[JUNGIANEINSTEIN]

Anyone know how you cut and polish material such as lapis lazuli/labradorite/agate/malachite/turqoise, etc?? was thinking of using some of these materials as inserts or spacer and wanted to know what you use to cut and polish these stones/minerals. Can they be shaped on a belt sander or will the heat damage them? :confused:

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[Shakudo]

are you talking real stone or the composites made of crushed stone and resin? most real stones are better cut with diamond wheels and water coolant. natural malachite and it's relatives are extremely poisonous as far as the dust goes. check the search function about handling composites, most are somewhat brittle if i remember right.

[JUNGIANEINSTEIN]

I was talking about natural stone. I have been searching the net and have seen what look like would be some really nice specimens but have no idea how they are cut and polished.

[Frank Niro]

Jhave done a couple of interframe handles using malachite. your usual belts and polishing will work if you go careful BUT the dust can really make you sick in a hurry !! Just working on the one knife can be more than enough unless you use a very good respirator. Frank