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Post by Starguy on Jan 18, 2014 18:44:03 GMT -5
I'm finally figuring out how to post photos. Here are a few of my favorite projects. I haven't cut anything off the Linde boule yet, but it's one of my favorite pieces. If you have any questions about polishing star stone, I might be able to help. Big Linde. This is what shows in my personal photo. 185 ct.  Bruneau cab. No visible scratches at 10 x  Idaho star garnet. The stars are actually much better than the photos show.  |
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Post by radio on Jan 18, 2014 19:01:14 GMT -5
Nice! I'm jealous (drool)You gonna cut that boule?
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Post by Starguy on Jan 18, 2014 19:11:01 GMT -5
I've had that boule for awhile. I don"t have any plans for it, but I love to show it off. I got it at quartzite in 1986. Lucky find because I got it for $1.00 per carat? There are a lot of nice cabs in.that one.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,583
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Post by jamesp on Jan 19, 2014 9:30:16 GMT -5
Never heard of star garnet. The color is so rich. And purple is a tough color. Garnet is so variable. Great stuff. We have a area rich in star rose quartz called the Hogg mine here in Georgia. It looks like this rough.  And like this in a sphere  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 19, 2014 10:36:19 GMT -5
Beautiful stars, but I really love me some Bruno.  |
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Post by Starguy on Jan 19, 2014 11:02:10 GMT -5
Jamesp That rose quartz is awesome. Is it lit from the front or from the rear? I have some star rose quartz but it has a lot of flaws in it. That sphere looks perfect and the star is very bright. Here I are some other photos. This is one of our local star garnet crystals. The crystal is a little over an inch in diameter  This one is a star corundum crystal. It didn't take a very good polish but shows a nice star in the sun. It's one of my favorite pocket rocks. It gets carried around a lot.   This is another Linde boule I acquired recently. These things are fun to cut because they are perfect. The polish keeps improving clear to 50,000 grit.   |
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Post by 1dave on Jan 19, 2014 11:12:47 GMT -5
Love this stuff!
"Back in the day" I named my rock shop "Starfire Gems."
I specialized in making triplets from Spencer opal along with precious opal from Australia, Mexico, etc, and star garnets from Idaho, star ruby, star sapphire, was just getting into Gilson opal and Linde material when the powerhouses got my number in 1970.
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Post by roy on Jan 19, 2014 11:30:52 GMT -5
nice stuff!
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Post by Starguy on Jan 19, 2014 11:36:13 GMT -5
Thanks for looking 1dave. It's my long term goal to have a rock shop. I have a few years to go before I can retire. During that time, I need to get a slab saw an 8" diamond cabbing machine and a new Faceting machine.
Luckily I collected a lot of star garnet back in the 80s. The quality at the dig site isn't what it used to be. Those things are challenging enough to cut with good quality material. I've never tried making opal triplets. It looks like fun though. Some people don't like the synthetic stones, but I think they are great.
Later.
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steelandstone
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2008
Posts: 500
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Post by steelandstone on Jan 19, 2014 12:45:01 GMT -5
NICE, I really want to try to get my hands on a boule or two. Now you have lit a fire under me again. Thanks for that. |
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Post by Pat on Jan 19, 2014 15:05:36 GMT -5
Starguy, I surely do hope you open your rock shop in San Jose! All ours are gone.
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Post by pghram on Jan 19, 2014 22:52:49 GMT -5
They are all great, I especially like the Bruneau cab.
Rich
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