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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2011 14:09:49 GMT -5
Next victim for the polishing lap. This slab is 6" long by 3-1/2" at its widest point by 3/8" thick. It is one of several slabs cut from a high grade piece of gold bearing rock which was taken from the 4,000 ft. level of the Homestake Gold Mine in the South Dakota Black Hills in 1974. The person who was allowed to remove the chunk of rough had been commissioned by the mine owners and major stockholders to cab the material and mount the cabs in sterling belt buckles, which were to be presented to the higher ups in the company. At completion of the job, many slabs were left over. A rockhound buddy in Rapid City managed to obtain several slabs, and passed this one on to me. Tho it doesn't show in this pic, this slab is rich in gold. A couple of small shiny areas show in the top right, and a larger area near top left. Don
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Oct 25, 2011 14:11:05 GMT -5
Oh my, that is drool factor for sure and beautiful!
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2011 14:19:05 GMT -5
The slab for its size is very heavy. I suspect that if it were crushed and the gold extracted, there would be about an ounce of gold in this piece. But it's worth much more to me as a specimen.
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Oct 25, 2011 14:21:58 GMT -5
probably worth more than the gold it contains as a specimen if it is rare material! Can't wait to see it polished up
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2011 14:29:23 GMT -5
Soon. And I hope to have better lighting for the next pic.
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kategoodwin
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 59
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Post by kategoodwin on Oct 25, 2011 15:03:00 GMT -5
Wowzas!!!!! :drool:
That is gorgeous!
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Oct 25, 2011 15:10:52 GMT -5
Very cool stuff.
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2011 15:17:50 GMT -5
Wow !! Which picture editing software are you using ? You sure cleaned up my pic.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Oct 25, 2011 15:24:57 GMT -5
I use a program called Gimp. It's basically an open source version of Photoshop. I used the levels option to correct the white balance and then sharpened it up a bit. www.gimp.org/
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2011 15:30:04 GMT -5
Cool. I'll check it out. Thanks.
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2011 16:29:44 GMT -5
I checked out Gimp. It appears to be basically the same as Irfanview, which I had on my old computer. Since I'm more or less familiar with Irfanview, I think I'll try it instead.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Oct 25, 2011 16:35:18 GMT -5
Very nice slab Don. Nice Gimp work too, Don. ROFL, I had to say that... Abigail uses gimp too and loves it.
Nate
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Post by tntmom on Oct 25, 2011 16:39:25 GMT -5
That is awesome!!!!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,688
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 25, 2011 18:21:47 GMT -5
Totally awesome Don!
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Oct 25, 2011 21:56:51 GMT -5
For sure worth more as a polished speciam. Can hardly wait too see those pics. Later Clyde
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Post by roy on Oct 25, 2011 22:00:19 GMT -5
wow nice slab cant wait to see it pollished
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2011 22:09:09 GMT -5
Hope to get er polished tomorrow, but may have to wait a day or two. Father in law was hauled kickin and screamin to the hospital today. Kind of on standby for the phone ringing.
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