rxscram
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2011
Posts: 484
|
Post by rxscram on Apr 26, 2014 13:53:02 GMT -5
Hi Everybody, Is there an "official" grading system for grading lapidary rough, or is it all subjective? The most common I see is stuff like "A" "AA" "AAA" grade, although sometimes the description is "Second Grade","First Grade", or "Extra Grade". In particular, I'm wondering about the more valuable rough... Charoite for example. Are there breakdowns on what each grade requires to be considered that grade? Next question... For those with experience using Charoite, how would you rate the quality of the stones in the pictures below? I'm told it's first grade, and am considering buying 100 kg of it, but wanted to get some other opinions. Thank you! Jeff
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2014 14:25:37 GMT -5
Nothing official, but that surely looks like top-shelf material with nice color and pattern. In person, I'd also look at how chatoyant it is and for pits/flaws.
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Apr 26, 2014 14:40:47 GMT -5
I agree, looks top-shelf. But I can't help on grading...
|
|
Good Earth
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2010
Posts: 155
|
Post by Good Earth on Apr 26, 2014 18:31:45 GMT -5
In my experience grading is a totally subjective art. The miner grades his runs, the dealers grade theirs, and the lapidarys grade theirs. 90% or more of the time, it's used as a marketing tool to catch the eye on sales ads.
That being said, there is a grading process that happens with every stone. I've found the best way to understand it is to ask the seller to explain their system. Get them talking.
Looks like good rough. If you can't handle it in person first, ask to buy a sample package. Doesn't stop fraud sellers from salting the sample with killer rough, but most sellers will give you a good representation. As in everything, communication is key!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2014 19:57:39 GMT -5
I think charoite should be purple without other colors. But maybe I am a snob!!
If the inclusions are attractive then perhaps they add character. But for me, good ole purple charoite with chatoyancy is the key to world peace.
As for grading? You need a large amount to see variation and quality. You cannot grade one piece because you have nothing to grade against.
|
|
owyhee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 105
|
Post by owyhee on Apr 26, 2014 20:44:59 GMT -5
Price is a big factor. I would do a ton of research and know who you are dealing with. 100 kg is a large investment.
mj
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Apr 27, 2014 17:17:45 GMT -5
This caught my eye because I just finished a piece with a nice charoite. I used to collect it, so I have a lot. As a buyer- I look for saturated color with as little black as possible. Any other colors like mud or white (calcite spots, I'm guessing) and I don't want it. But, some black in it can look nice if cabbed well. Chatoyancy is a big plus, but it doesn't seem like you find that much of it anymore. I have only one that is full on killer chatoyant, purple to icy lavender across the whole stone. The wow factor is incredible- but rare. I would call that one AAA. Great purple with no other colors and some chatoyancy, AA. Anything else, I personally, wouldn't buy. Unless the black looks really good in the cab. So, I guess it's up to the buyer and what they like. If that rough had some nice chatoyancy with that color- I'd snatch it up.
|
|
rxscram
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2011
Posts: 484
|
Post by rxscram on Apr 30, 2014 0:39:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback everybody. After further deliberation, I've decided to get 50 kilos of the stuff I showed in the previous pictures, and 16 kilos of this stuff... I can't wait!
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 30, 2014 10:47:33 GMT -5
Who left the Charoite hand-print in that last image? It's a little eerie-looking. For reference, how big is that piece?
|
|
rxscram
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2011
Posts: 484
|
Post by rxscram on Apr 30, 2014 12:18:28 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure that's just a shadow of the guy holding up his hand. I agree, a little eerie-looking. (Or, maybe it's somebody who got vaporized in a nuclear explosion, and left nothing but shadow behind. It does kind of have the shape of somebody holding up their hands right before meeting his/her end.)
I'm not sure how big that particular piece is.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,813
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 30, 2014 13:04:50 GMT -5
If it's a shadow the person sure has strange-looking bulges on the wrist. Maybe they're a mutation from that nuclear explosion you mention. You're sure you're not getting the stuff from the Chernobyl area?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2014 14:39:28 GMT -5
If it's a shadow the person sure has strange-looking bulges on the wrist. Maybe they're a mutation from that nuclear explosion you mention. You're sure you're not getting the stuff from the Chernobyl area? It's a watch! PM me prices for a hunk from the 16kg lot.
|
|
|
Post by mohs on May 1, 2014 12:03:32 GMT -5
Vincent van Gogh finger painting w/heart shape watch very valuable
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on May 3, 2014 13:41:05 GMT -5
I also have interest in a smaller cabbable parcel when you're ready to sell.
|
|