How To Carve Jade And Pounamu For Beginners
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ย. 2024
- This is the story of my journey, the tools and techniques I started with when I was teaching myself to carve (I'm still learning now too). It is a video I wish I had when I was starting out to have a bit of direction when I had no idea. It doesn't have all the answers and I can't say that these are the best ways to do it either, it is what I did and what I have learnt. I hope you find something useful here that will work for you.
Any questions ask away in the content or get in touch through my website campbellcarving.co.nz
Got my first block of jade coming looking at starting glad I found your videos to help me get started 👍👍
Been looking for jade carving videos for a long time. Had given up, found this while looking for lashings. Thanks.
Yea i had the same problem so thought I would share my learnings.
Yay! Finally someone who is making video on gemstone carving! Thank you!!! 🤩🤩
You are so welcome!
Thanks for sharing!Been dreaming,I was carving pounamu💖🙏
Glad to see you are doing videos on you tube again. I have learned so much from your previous videos. Just liked your FB page and will add your website to my favorites. I have been off carving for awhile, but your recent videos have given me the bug again. Cheers!
Great to hear. Thanks for the thoughts.
Thanks heaps for the videos. Your videos were what got me to give it a go and now I’m loving it. Keep the awesome videos coming bro.
Awesome, that's what it is all about.
Cant thank you enough for sharing your knowledge. I’ve been wanting to teach myself this skill and a new hobbie but was hesitant to ‘waste’ my money buying the wrong thing. Thankyou thank you thankyou!!!! :)
Pleased you got some value out of it.
Happy I found your channel and videos! I work mainly with turquoise but many similarities in cutting and shaping. Your how-to-tie whipping video was a great help! Thx so much!
Thanks for the videos. I started out about a year ago and currently use the bowl of water technique for keeping the stone wet. Getting a flex shaft sounds like a great idea, as I am currently just using a dremel with no flex shaft.
Your video showing the lashing for the kuru was awesome! Thanks for that. I recently used it on a piece and it looks amazing.
Awesome good hear things are working out for you.
I've been carving rock for awhile now. I have had every power carving tool there is I think, not one ever stood the test of time. I think the rock dust has killed most, handpeices in particular just don't last. Not the cheapest hobby, buying material to carve is getting quite prohibitive. I haven't been very successful at selling my finished products, handicrafts don't seem to have a big profit margin either. I live by the coast and I visit a few different beaches that have alot of interesting stone. Keep up the good work, enjoyed seeing another stone addict.
Thanks likewise.
Kia ora bro glad I found your channel, nice of you to share I will definitely give it a go Thanks again !!!
Awesome to see your videos bro. Really informative. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you like them!
thanku!! your intro pretty much sums up where im at... now your my utube mentor. haha kiaora from across the ditch 💚
Mean as get into it, fire away with patai or any videos I could add to the list
Nice, I'm just starting to polish and sand some raw pounamu pebbles some of your videos have helped
Awesome bro. Get amongst it and go hard.
Thanks for all the advise! you the man!
Welcome
Thanks for sharing the burrs you use. I have been carving on bone for awhile but have a bunch of black core samples I acquired when I worked in an exploratory Diamond Drilling Camp in the Northwest Territories a few years ago. You have inspired me to dust off the my core rods and give it a go. Hoping you have a video of setting up a simple water drip system, that's the part holding me back ... as well as the time to indulge in carving. Life and paycheques have a way of hijacking one's attention and time.
Life and paychecks, yep I hear ya. I have done a video on my water system, it is on channel let me know if you can't find it.
Great video, may I add that Pounamu is in the blue asbestos category.
Very important to keep wet while carving and best to use proper dust mask.
Take care
Nga mihi
Absolutely agree hundred percent.
bro...the man, super helpful. Just doing my first toki at the moment.
Glad I could help!
Many thanks mate, about to attempt my first peice as I a gift for a maori friend. Its given me a good start. Luv your work!💓🤗
Great, hope it goes well.
@@CampbellCarving this is my koru, about to start polishing. Its only small as the stone had cracks i didnt see, so had to work with what i had
@@allyhean7705 good work, would be good to see the piece, send me a message on Facebook at campbellcarving page
thank you so much for explaining this clip is so helpful i am new to carving pounamu and want to make a set of earrings for my mama and myself then later on my sisters , nieces, great nieces nga mihi
You are so welcome! Best of luck
Awesome video! Thanks heaps for this.
Welcome
Shot bro your videos are helping me heaps, just starting out it's a good time though
Thanks for letting know its good. I found it hard to find a way forward when I was starting out so decided to share my journey.
Hey bro to get the mirror like finish you use tinoxide. Thanks for the video I wondered how those dremels would stand up to carving that stone. Now I know I'll get one and get started I was gonna go full noise with all the big fancy gear. Cheers mate.
Cheers for the tips, get into it.
Kia ora Campbell!
Thanks heaps for posting up these videos, they are a big help for those like myself that are just starting out on our pounamu carving journey.
I have a couple questions that I haven't seen answered elsewhere in the comments:
- What RPM/s do you typically use for cutting with the flexshaft (I've heard high RPM can wear these out faster)?
- Do you think a bench grinder could be adapted to use with lap discs for shaping? (I.e. with a water feed and shroud added)
Nga mihi nui!
Zac from Chch.
Sorry Zac, didn't see this one come through. High RPM does wear things out faster, probably about 20 to 30k for hand piece. Bench grinder can be used but they do go faster, so need heaps of water to keep them cool.
@@CampbellCarving All good Campbell :) I've gained a bit of experience since asking this, and also built my own arbor with flat lap and diamond wheel which runs at 1700 rpm, which I think is about ideal.
Thank You
I started carving polystyrene but couldn’t do fine and difficult stuff then and keno stone but was the same oh yeah I’m just leaner see your video green stone carvings awesome stuff see that you can do the difficult and find stuff because I can’t get green stone here started up sea rock show me the way to do find and difficult carving awesome video thank you bro
Thanks for sharing your knowledge
Welcome.
You can get a mirror polish just by keeping going on past a 400 grit, but use a wet sand in the high grits. Then just a good rub with a polishing compound. If you have a buffing wheel, that just makes it faster and easier.
How high do you go in the sanding grits? Probably depends on the stone?
@@CampbellCarving depends on the material and what you’re going for in the end, but the main idea is that the higher you go, the more perfectly shiny your finish will be. I would wet sand to maybe around 2000 grit and then use a buffing wheel if I wanted that perfect piano finish
You are awesome for sharing your knowledge 👍 thank you 👍
My pleasure!
Awesome bro! Have been looking for a vid like this for a while. Cant wait to have a go! SUBBED
Awesome! Thank you!
Tena koe brother perfect vid for me just scored sum tools nga mihi
Get into it.
Thanks,very helpful!
Very welcome.
Great video!
Thnks this info. sir ok nice idea.
Hi Campbell, thank you so much for sharing all these. Your videos are extremely helpful, especially for a self learner like me. I just started learning to carve as a hobby and am looking to buy a lapidary machine that can easily cut a jade block (5-6kg max) into slabs without much effort. Would it be possible for you to recommend me one or tell me what websites to look at ? I have been looking on the internet for months but don't really find any that is used specifically for jade cutting. Thank you in advance for your help!
Hard to recommend that, anything with a diamond blade and water will work. Or able to put a diamond blade on. Tile cutting saws can be good. Or workout a DIY option to add your own water.
Very informative
Thank you
Ever thought about a foredom I use a foredom TX and I promise you I put it to task I carve agate and random river rocks I find some very soft some very hard but mostly agate
Thanks will check it out
Awesome stuff, have you ever had any of the Pounamu shatter or crack while cutting or carving?, someone mentioned it years ago to me so wasn't too sure if there are particular peaces you choose or look for eg grains, colour differences etc. Cheers
Not shatter but yes crack, all pounamu have different structures, some are flaky and can't hold a sharp edge for example. Some have fractures in them and can't be used for thin designs etc.
Oops replied on wrong account hehe
Thanks for this helpful video. Want to start carving as a hobby to make myself something. Are you able to share where could buy raw pounamu in small quantities?
There are auctions on trademe. Or you could contact me through my website I might have something I'd be willing to part with for what suits you. Campbellcarving.co.nz
Thanks for this video. I found it really useful. Just wanted to ask though what grit diamond bits do you use? I see they come in a range of grits from 40 to above 100.
Glad it was helpful! I usually start with something around 100, would get 40 for really rough shaping and removing material though
Fantastic video. I really appreciate you doing this. I am keen to get into carving greenstone. Where would you suggest I source the stone from? I really want to make sure anything I buy is ethical and legal. Many thanks
You can buy it on trademe, easiest place, or I could sell you some maybe send me a message through my website campbellcarving.co.nz
Any ideas how to get the thin slicing tool that makes those sheets you start with?
Getting slices is a challenge with out a big saw. You can buy them that way, make friends with someone that has one, join a lapidiary club, build your own saw, or buy a saw.
Thanks bro, now to get me a Drexel, saw, drum an 2mm sphere, yeah!
Lol, get into if your keen.
@@CampbellCarving Yeah, need to carve some toki for the mokos
Kia Ora Campbell, would this work on pebbles roughly the size of the pounamu you're wearing? Thank you
I expect so, every mineral has different properties but jade comes in all sizes.
Awesome cuzzie
Chur
I started the same way as you. I've burnt through two dremels and on another one now, but I don't think it'll last much longer. My wife thinks I've got issues around Pounamu and she'll no longer let me buy anyway more hahahaha. Just wondering if you're full time carver or part timer with a full time job? Either way keep it up and keep throwing out the videos.
Yea sounds like me haha. I am a outdoor ed teacher full time, carve as a hobby.
Hey bro loving your videos. Where did you get your burrs from please. In particular the cutting saw and drum? I’m gonna get a dremmel but would like to get the burrs first
I think i got those from testntools in nz.
Great video! I was curious where you purchased those sets of different grit diamond bits?
Thanks
I got the yellow set from jadecarver.com, some of the other stuff from richon tools.
hallo, im a goldsmith student from Belgium who is trying to learn how to carve mother of pearl. what tools do you need to carve mother of pearl? I want to carve a cloud out of it wich means it will be a quite thick peace of mother of pearl so I would need to carve grooves into it to give it a "3d" effect. I was thinking I would need diamond burs but I feel like it might be to rough? I dont know tho. So if you please could suggest me what kind of burs i would need in order to carve it. A push to the right direction would be major help and i would really appreciate it
I have never carved mother of pearl. Diamond burrs do come in a variety of rougbness/grit from rough to fin though, might worth a try.
Where do you buy your bits? Ive being trying to find a hour glass bit but can't find one anywhere -thanks
Took ages to find them, I found them at jadecarver.com in the end, hopefully they still have some.
Just curious about your choice in rotary tool. Why did you keep using a Dremel with a flex shaft? Did you think about using a 1/6hp hanging pendulum flex shaft like a Foredom? It has a foot pedal control that goes from 0- 18,000rpm. The motor is very durable and the hand pieces can be quickly changed out. It's also reversible. I've used Dremel rotary tools for many things but I always felt like, for me, the Foredom worked better for carving jade and other stone. I'm just curious why you chose Dremel especially after burning through 6?
I had a dremel as that is the toll I started with. I have recently upgraded to a foredom with a foot pedal and chuck in the hnad piece, I like it way better.
Thx for sharing your knowledge and experience . I have been looking at getting a set of the different grit diamond burrs. Do you ever use any of the lapidary sanding drums . Love your work and have used many of your tips in doing some of my pieces . Thx and good luck in all your future projects.
I havnt used sanding drums but they look cool. My bench top setup is pretty basic, just a trim saw and a point carver really, may expand one day.
Kia ora Campbell, great vids. I do bone carving and have found your tips methods work just as well as for that as for jade.
What I would like to know is can obsidian be carved like jade or is it too brittle
I have done a little with obsidian using the same techniques, worked OK, was even harder to get the tool marks out though
Excellent video. I was looking to get into carving pounamu as I have a interest in carving in general. Just wondering is there anything wrong with buying chunks of uncarved pounamu from say trademe or is there some sort of mana involved in the process where you should find it yourself.
All good go hard on trademe, it is pretty cool to be able to source yourself if you could or visit the coast and find locals to buy from direct.
Just wanted to say thank you. I am just starting out my carving journey as a hobby and all your videos are helpful. any tips on how to keep things symmetrical? also any beginner patterns e.g. toki? or any tips on where to purchase some higher quality stone? trademe is expensive as and can never seem to find any kahurangi/pale green pounamu Cheers
Hey Bro, symmetry is is in the art of the process. I just use my eye and go with the flow. For me trying to get things 'right' or perfect ruins the enjoyment. So sorry not much help on that one really. My main toki concepts are on my website under Gallery/Design Concepts. Campbellcarving.co.nz. High quality stone is expensive, especially NZ Jade/Pounamu as it is highly prized. Only way I know of is to pay up.
@@CampbellCarving Thank you for replying so quick, your website has some great templates!
Paul I have heard soap stone (talc) is good for practicing as it is a very soft stone and easy to carve. Although it may not be as decorative
@@Paul-2 I've just started carving about a year ago as well, located in the US. I started out with some serpentine, which is softer than jade, about a 5 on the hardness scale.
I would just go for some offcuts of jade from a carver, that is where I started there always pieces that are not worth the while or near the rind that are far less valuable. What do mean by attachments?
Could you share where you get the attachments for the dremel please?
I got all my dremel parts from testntools. It came with a flex shaft as a kit. Mitre10 also sells dremel and bits. Is that what you mean?
This is great, thank you for doing this. Do you know what hand tools can be used? There must be some since carving has been around way longer than power tools. I've had an interest in starting stone carving for a while and everything I find online, for any kind of stone, is all power tools. I get it, that it's way easier and faster, but I'm not sure it's a hobby I'll stick with so going in on a bunch of expensive stuff is not something I want to do if I don't have to. And more just to see if I have the talent for design and execution. I'll start with stone that is easier to carve than jade, too.
Not my specialty sorry, I think it will be stone dependant. A great place for that advice is a local lapidairy club, group or one on FB.
Sandstones
Kia ora e hoa, do you have any links to where you purchase the different grits of burrs. Nga mihi
Try jadecarver.com. Com
yup, those are eactly what i use to carve AGATE, i never carved any JADE before, they work great on the AGATEs i carve though, just have to use water in a bowl to keep the dust down and WD-40 on you FLEX SHAFT to stop rust
Yep same process!
How many dremels have you been through? Ive burnt out 2 so far, also trying out a pendulum motor.
I burnt out 5 in my first few years. Only kept getting them as it was under warranty.
Super helpful bro! Chur
Fantastic
First of all I'd like to say thank you for the content and your work is beautiful. I have a question.
Before you work on a piece of jade do you go through a process of blessing? As a beginner myself I would like to know some processes so I don't make anything with bad blood. Also is it okay to purchase the stone etc..
Thank you for your help.
Not before carving for me. The process of carving and the intent I have for thr pounamu is a blessing through work, customers can do a blessing that is relevant to them.
Thank you
Kia Ora Cambell, thanks for the teachings. Where did you get all your diamond bits from? I can't come across them easily, and there's not much variety like what you appear to have! Thanks!
Some from trademe in nz, some from jade carver com in us and some from richon tools in Hong Kong.
@@CampbellCarving thanks so much for the reply. Are you able to recommend a grit size for all round use rather than buying multiple kits with different grits? or is it more complex than that?
You need a low grit around 100 for carving at least then could get some thing for smoothing before sanding between 200a d 400 but don't have too. I have too many stages tbh.
@@CampbellCarving awesome, thanks again, I’ll check out more of your channel for more tips! Also, from NZ, is there somewhere to get hold of genuine pounamu and/or other stone that’s good for carving with the dremel?
Could try trademe again to fi d some stuff there, or contact me through my website, campbellcarving.co.nz I might have something for ya.
Great video. What is the name of the polish?
I was using fabulustre here
The drum you used 90% of the time, is it the usual stone drum or is that a diamond one too? Have a chuck of jade I was gifted when my daughter was born 17 years ago and now have a dremel 4000 so might use my spare time to make something special, you make great vids mate and thankyou for sharing
Awesome bro get into it. All the burrs including that drum are diamond.
@@CampbellCarving thanks man,, saving you for my tips and tricks! Awesome mate for sharing your knowledge
I have a small jade pendant but some crevices were filed down and its rough and white, what tip and grit do you recommend for me to polish that area in tight spots?
Any burr that will fit, I would use carbide sanding sticks though probably then I use felt burrs with fabulustre, but carbide sticks up to over 600g would give an ok finish.
AWESOME BRO
I'm having trouble finding a motor to drive the saw , got a spindle and bearing the saw but motors what the heck ... what do you use?
I assume you have seen my videos on the point carver set up and the table saw I made, if not check them out. If your in NZ then search electric motor on trademe, a bunch come up there. Hope that helps
Hello where did you find those drill bit the three big ones and the ones in the boxes in differnt grits?
I got the yellow box ones from jade carver. Com and the 1mm long drill bits from either testntools. Co. Nz or from richon tools. Com. From memory. Best of luck.
@@CampbellCarving Thank you so much for your response.
Hey where would I find the little diamond bur bits ? And what grades do u go from 120? Awesome knowledge you sharing 👍
I buy mine from a few places, richon tools, jade carver, testntools. I start as low as possible, some usually between 80 and 150.
@@CampbellCarving THANK YOU!! I've been looking for places like these for the last 3 week's and I've gotten nowhere thank you so much, these sites are pure gold.
Kia ora! I'm in Australia, any ideas of where I can buy pounamu to carve?
Not sure if I can help much as I only know NZ sources, I use trademe, can you get on there?
Were did you get your different grit burrs? Thank you for the videos
8 have bought burrs from many places online. Hongia burrs is a good brand if your after quality
Hey mate, thanks so much for your useful videos! They are really "edutaining" to watch. One question: Do you think it is necessary to have a dedicated space for carving or is it possible to deal with the mess in a bathroom or even living room? And: I didn't see you wearing a mask while carving. I was thinking maybe I don't need one because if water keeps stone and burrs wet all the time there wont be much dust flying around. Yet I often read people still recoomend wearing a mask. Thank you! Looking forward to your next video.
Hey, I started in the bathroom totally doable but can make a mess. Prob should wear a mask especially for high use. I dont, as a part time carver. I try to be aware and make sure the water is keeping the dust down too.
Where do you get the jewellery polish and do you find it hard to get the raw stone? Thanks.
Fabulustre is pretty common. I can't remember where I bought this stuff but there are several places online that come up when you Google it. The raw stone I get from guys on the west coast selling through trademe. Good luck.
Query: How long does one of those bit things last? They must wear out eventually.
It depends on the quality and use, some last years, some are ruined in a day. Some are sintered and have diamond all the way through so will work when they wear down. Many have only a surface coating and this wears out quicker especially with heat and too much pressure.
Hi there. just wondering where you get the hourglass burr from?
Found then at jade carver. Com
Nga mihi mo tenei; one question... where do you purchase the tools from???
I have bought tools from testntools. Co.nz, jade carver. Com, and richon tools. Good places to start.
Have you ever tried tungsten burrs?
No I havnt tungsten is a 9 on mohs scale and diamond is a 10 so will cute and grind it better, may make some progress with tungsten though.
Kia Ora where can I buy those burrs and the boxes
I got them from jadecarver.com
Hey bro what kind of cutting disk do you use for pounamu?
Anything diamond works
please recommend a good stone carving tool for beginners,, I want to learn.
Dremel is a good place to start
@@CampbellCarving thank you
With dremel stylo+ can ....🙏
I have mine of jadeite
Kia Ora bro, just wondering where i could buy bits and burrs. Nga mihi
You can buy a bunch from trademe, aliexpress. Cdk stone sell some good quality ones.
where can I sell a big jade rock I have..
Depends, where in the world are first. In New Zealand most would go to trademe.
Where's a good place to buy raw jade?
Lots online, best way it to make personal connections with sellers.
I’m waiting on a shipment from a Chinese seller off of aliexpress right now, but I’m really not sure how to find wholesalers
Hi where do You get the fabulustre
I have always just searched online and ordered it.
Where do you get your jade?
Hey, i buy it from guys on the west coast.
@@CampbellCarving cool I'm just getting into carving (started off with bone). I have been watching your videos and they are super helpful. Where abouts out west do you get your stone. Is there a shop/supplier or do you source it yourself?
Some of them sell it on trademe. It is a good place get stuff to start off with and you can get some real good stuff too
ka pai bro ataahua beautiful mahi kia ora.
can you carv a xenomorph or a face sucker outa jade that would be real kool . jade makers need to think outside the box ,i keep seeing the same asian style i wanna see a mayan jaguar eating a bleeding hert
Sounds cool. What's your budget?
I do wish your mike was closer to you. Missing some of what your saying.
Sorry bout that. Anything I can clarify that you missed?
I want to send you stone for craving
Contact me through my website campbellcarving.co.nz
Pounamu is way different to Jade.
Jade isn’t as strong
Oh OK. Everything I have read and heard so far is that jade is one of the geological terms for pounamu. Pounamu also includes others like serpentine, nephrite, bowenite, maybe jadite, not sure about that last one. And from my experience the strength of the pounamu I have carved varies hugely in the quality of the stone, including from the core out to the rind. Tell me more about why Pounamu is way different to jade. I am curious now.
@@CampbellCarving This guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Jade is either jadeite or nephrite. Pounamu is the Maori word for several green stones. The others you mentioned are not Jade but are Pounamu. Basically, all Jade is Pounamu but not all Pounamu is Jade. Nephrite is the toughest natural material (not to be confused with hardest, which is diamond). Nephrite can take a beating better than diamond :) I'd refer to the wiki articles for Jade and Pounamu or pick up a good classification book like "Rocks and Minerals" from Smithsonian Handbooks or Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann. Someone else on another comment thread said that jade is asbestos... it's not.
@@mikeulator he mightav been saying Jade is 'as best as' bro lol