Post by kk on May 28, 2012 4:41:54 GMT -5
As some of you know, I just went exploring my neighbourhood this month and returned with some material that turned out OK but most of it, I will not bother you with. LOL
Here to start with: two ugly ducklings
Both shined up reasonably well, but I don't really like the compositions.
The only reason that they made it this far is that both have some intriguing material within them. Pyrite inclusions I suppose, but at some angle indoors the glimmer coming back is green and red. Does Pyrite do that? If there would be a hint of agate in them, I would swear it to be opalized material as it looks just like in Koroit.
Then come the OK ones that I like:
First up something that might be chert. Nice color and shines up really well, but the color alone does not make it worthwhile to pursue.
Then what I suppose is Feldspah as the seam where I took it from was glimmering all over.
Next up is a hotchpotch of something that mimics translucency in pictures and some type agate at hand. I'm 100% sure that it is neither agate nor jasper as it is too soft for both. Has some pyrite or hematite flowing through and takes a really good shine, yet tries to undercut.
And then we got the stars of the show that I will certainly pursue in the future.
At number 3 comes in a metal/mineral that I use already for a carving. Here another shot fully polished, but excuse the shape and remaining inclusions as this is my test-sample.
At number two, we got this piece. Unfortunately, this was the only piece (out of about 30 pounds of rocks that I hauled home), that had this particular configuration.
And number one,
yet another unknown material that polishes up incredibly well. I does have pyrite as well as the metal/mineral content. Its very soft; I would estimate below 5, yet very though and does not crack or break during working it. It also stinks when cut (cant specify what, but it smells rotten). Further more, it changes color with light-source. Artificial light gives it more blue-tones plus it mimics chattoyancy and daylight gives it a greenish appearance that changes to gray in direct sunlight.
Last but not least, it needs to be noted that all of the above (only exception is the presumed chert) are seam/vain materials that have been pried from granite. It is save to presume that the material was deposited during or after volcanic activity around 140 million years ago.
Last but not least; one more cab: this time its from our Christopher. Agate with plumes that end in a metallic shimmer.
Thanks for looking, have a great week, Kurt
Here to start with: two ugly ducklings
Both shined up reasonably well, but I don't really like the compositions.
The only reason that they made it this far is that both have some intriguing material within them. Pyrite inclusions I suppose, but at some angle indoors the glimmer coming back is green and red. Does Pyrite do that? If there would be a hint of agate in them, I would swear it to be opalized material as it looks just like in Koroit.
Then come the OK ones that I like:
First up something that might be chert. Nice color and shines up really well, but the color alone does not make it worthwhile to pursue.
Then what I suppose is Feldspah as the seam where I took it from was glimmering all over.
Next up is a hotchpotch of something that mimics translucency in pictures and some type agate at hand. I'm 100% sure that it is neither agate nor jasper as it is too soft for both. Has some pyrite or hematite flowing through and takes a really good shine, yet tries to undercut.
And then we got the stars of the show that I will certainly pursue in the future.
At number 3 comes in a metal/mineral that I use already for a carving. Here another shot fully polished, but excuse the shape and remaining inclusions as this is my test-sample.
At number two, we got this piece. Unfortunately, this was the only piece (out of about 30 pounds of rocks that I hauled home), that had this particular configuration.
And number one,
yet another unknown material that polishes up incredibly well. I does have pyrite as well as the metal/mineral content. Its very soft; I would estimate below 5, yet very though and does not crack or break during working it. It also stinks when cut (cant specify what, but it smells rotten). Further more, it changes color with light-source. Artificial light gives it more blue-tones plus it mimics chattoyancy and daylight gives it a greenish appearance that changes to gray in direct sunlight.
Last but not least, it needs to be noted that all of the above (only exception is the presumed chert) are seam/vain materials that have been pried from granite. It is save to presume that the material was deposited during or after volcanic activity around 140 million years ago.
Last but not least; one more cab: this time its from our Christopher. Agate with plumes that end in a metallic shimmer.
Thanks for looking, have a great week, Kurt
