Post by kk on Jul 8, 2014 7:54:37 GMT -5
Its has been a busy few weeks with nothing but routines to close out all the school-programs and getting summer-school set up, so nothing but tedious and boring stuff.
But then, earlier this week I received a parcel from wonderful Anna O'Neill (I'm sure she is a member here somewhere ), and she managed to tear me away from everything, by sending me something that I was always skeptical about. Mind you I never really disliked opal. Its just one of the things (like white diamonds) for me, where I retreat as soon as I see them as they seem to be higher regarded for their monetary value than actual beauty. In the long run, this (plus their usual small size) turned me off and I stood/stay away from them out of a principle.
Now Anna, has send me some sizable pieces that I can truly see myself working with, and while the big one is just blue with a little green/yellow color-play at angles; I simply cant get my eyes of it. Anywhere I stand in the room, even with just a glance, that thing jumps out at you with its seeming internal glow. Its simply mesmerizing. As are the other pieces she send.
First up is a piece that has been preformed already, but now I need to step up to the plate and get the shape right and make it my smallest cab ever.
The second to show here is coming in at an immense 49ct after basic cleaning.
Now this one is definitively for carving, but as I have no clue as to how deep the blue color goes before the black reapers, I'm hesitant to consider carving it for the time being. The black seams do not really follow a pattern, is there a way to figure out how deep the blue goes? In terms of desirability: black does not seem to hinder incredible pricing on OA, but I assume that black is not that desirable?
Last but not least is the star (to me) of the lot. After cleaning coming in at nearly 150ct, purely intended for carving.
To me, this is a piece in its own league. With Fire Agate we always talk about that internal glow. The big piece here finally truly shows me what "internal glow" really is. And I'm not just talking about a glitter here or there. The whole thick part of it seems to bathed in neon-light under nearly any light-condition.
One question in regards to this piece and material. The "dirty areas" on top do have colors from other angles. Is there a way to rub out the "dirt" yet keep the color? I have tried at other spots with 2000 paper, lost the color, yet the dirt seems to remain. Those areas seem to be included in quite a few cabs I saw at OA, but I would like to avoid them if carving this piece.
But then, earlier this week I received a parcel from wonderful Anna O'Neill (I'm sure she is a member here somewhere ), and she managed to tear me away from everything, by sending me something that I was always skeptical about. Mind you I never really disliked opal. Its just one of the things (like white diamonds) for me, where I retreat as soon as I see them as they seem to be higher regarded for their monetary value than actual beauty. In the long run, this (plus their usual small size) turned me off and I stood/stay away from them out of a principle.
Now Anna, has send me some sizable pieces that I can truly see myself working with, and while the big one is just blue with a little green/yellow color-play at angles; I simply cant get my eyes of it. Anywhere I stand in the room, even with just a glance, that thing jumps out at you with its seeming internal glow. Its simply mesmerizing. As are the other pieces she send.
First up is a piece that has been preformed already, but now I need to step up to the plate and get the shape right and make it my smallest cab ever.
The second to show here is coming in at an immense 49ct after basic cleaning.
Now this one is definitively for carving, but as I have no clue as to how deep the blue color goes before the black reapers, I'm hesitant to consider carving it for the time being. The black seams do not really follow a pattern, is there a way to figure out how deep the blue goes? In terms of desirability: black does not seem to hinder incredible pricing on OA, but I assume that black is not that desirable?
Last but not least is the star (to me) of the lot. After cleaning coming in at nearly 150ct, purely intended for carving.
To me, this is a piece in its own league. With Fire Agate we always talk about that internal glow. The big piece here finally truly shows me what "internal glow" really is. And I'm not just talking about a glitter here or there. The whole thick part of it seems to bathed in neon-light under nearly any light-condition.
One question in regards to this piece and material. The "dirty areas" on top do have colors from other angles. Is there a way to rub out the "dirt" yet keep the color? I have tried at other spots with 2000 paper, lost the color, yet the dirt seems to remain. Those areas seem to be included in quite a few cabs I saw at OA, but I would like to avoid them if carving this piece.