pizzij
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2009
Posts: 102
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Post by pizzij on Apr 24, 2017 14:04:52 GMT -5
Since I've been away for about 5 years, maybe I should reintroduce myself. Joe here. I starting collecting rocks as a kid, dabbled in geology, fascinated by friends who did lapidary, making polished spheres in the 2-10 inch range. Some monsters. After college at some point I got back into some clubs, taking up lapidary. Ended up teaching advanced cabochon cutting at Tuscarora Lapidary (www.lapidary.org) in the Philadelphia western suburbs, also serving as their Dealer Chair, Acquisitions Chair, on the board of directors and such. Dabbled in silversmithing, lost wax casting, and now onto faceting, having about 50-60 faceted stones in my rearview mirror. Still learning. Half taught myself faceting, but have always had good mentors to ask for help (thanks Gary, Dave, Mack, Jeff). Taking a sabbatical from Tuscarora these days so most time is spent on faceting, if not at shows buying more cabbing and faceting rough I do not need. Otherwise, a background in dog training, tai chi, aikido, scuba, and writing. P.S.: If you are a good human being, you will not sell me any more rocks. Read more: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/9224/me#ixzz4fCAYYhCM
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 24, 2017 14:28:52 GMT -5
Welcome from Nevada.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 24, 2017 15:37:11 GMT -5
Welcome from Virgina. You're new to me, so hello. Sounds like you have a lot of experience under your belt. We have a new faceting section! Hope to see you post some work there.
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Post by Pat on Apr 24, 2017 15:40:41 GMT -5
Welcome from California!
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,648
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Post by Tommy on Apr 24, 2017 22:49:46 GMT -5
Another welcome from the good half of California
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pizzij
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2009
Posts: 102
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Post by pizzij on Apr 25, 2017 9:20:56 GMT -5
. We have a new faceting section! Hope to see you post some work there. Will definitely do so. Has to be from home due to all the blocking at work. Friends with Michelle, so we already share our results. Recently done a couple of pieces from amazing colored fluorite from England, that comes with stories about why you do not want to facet fluorite. ;-) I actually have the honor of editing a small newsletter for some rockhounds based in Richmond VA. You may know of them? Tiny group known as the VIP Prospectors. They've been collecting in the area for at least 20 years. Betsy Martin does a lot of micromineral work and stuff with the Moorefield Mine. They collect at US Silica for moonstone, overlap a bit with the Richmond rock and gem club.
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Post by manofglass on Apr 25, 2017 9:31:18 GMT -5
Welcome back from Michigan
Walt
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 25, 2017 9:41:28 GMT -5
. We have a new faceting section! Hope to see you post some work there. Will definitely do so. Has to be from home due to all the blocking at work. Friends with Michelle, so we already share our results. Recently done a couple of pieces from amazing colored fluorite from England, that comes with stories about why you do not want to facet fluorite. ;-) I actually have the honor of editing a small newsletter for some rockhounds based in Richmond VA. You may know of them? Tiny group known as the VIP Prospectors. They've been collecting in the area for at least 20 years. Betsy Martin does a lot of micromineral work and stuff with the Moorefield Mine. They collect at US Silica for moonstone, overlap a bit with the Richmond rock and gem club. Sadly, no, I don't know of them. I am about 2.5 hours from Richmond (with traffic). I don't know a whole lot about collecting minerals in Va. In my area, it is just sand and clay.
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Post by Pat on Apr 25, 2017 9:45:50 GMT -5
rockjunquie said: n my area, it is just sand and clay. Tela, you could start collecting sand! I have sand from lots of places. Interesting and pretty under a microscope. Sand is just baby rocks. Clay is just baby sand!
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 25, 2017 10:01:38 GMT -5
rockjunquie said: n my area, it is just sand and clay. Tela, you could start collecting sand! I have sand from lots of places. Interesting and pretty under a microscope. Sand is just baby rocks. Clay is just baby sand! Very interesting, Pat! I have never thought of that. I have lived at so many beaches. I think I missed that boat. Of course, there is travel, but I don't do much of that anymore.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Apr 25, 2017 12:24:22 GMT -5
Pleased to meet you. I've been here - on and off - for about 5 years. We must have just missed each other.
I'm based in Yorkshire, England. We have some local fluorite. It can be difficult to pick up / store without damaging so facetting is a no-no.
There are a couple of possibilities ... was it green / also some purple from Alston / Weardale from the North or purple Blue John from Derbyshire. Cutting it is one thing, setting it would be quite another without turning it into fluorite sugar. Or is it a collectors gem? If you managed to finish it, my congratulations!!
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pizzij
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2009
Posts: 102
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Post by pizzij on Apr 25, 2017 12:56:00 GMT -5
There are a couple of possibilities ... was it green / also some purple from Alston / Weardale from the North or purple Blue John from Derbyshire. Cutting it is one thing, setting it would be quite another without turning it into fluorite sugar. Or is it a collectors gem? If you managed to finish it, my congratulations!! Hello! I've had some lovely coworkers from the North. I believe that this rough was from the Rogerley Mine. It was about 1.5" across and massive...in that it was a mass of jumbled crystal and not regular cubes. Should have taken a picture before I cut it. It has a great deep green, hint of blue color...if I could magically turn the 15.5 ct emerald cut into tourmaline or emerald I would be rich. The smaller piece I cut as a high domed round brilliant. It had flaws but cut pretty easily, although could not get a perfect polish after trying zirconium oxide on a Matrix lap, then chrome oxide, then 14k diamond. It came out well...but...the gods of faceting heard me saying this was pretty easy to cut so 2 weeks after the fact the stone just decided to start cleaving on its own and now there is a big crack inside. If it will spread and cleave is anyones guess. The larger piece I tried an emerald cut with a keel. BIG mistake. That chipped too easily, even tho I started on 1200, then 8000. and during the transfer process, it developed a HUGE fissure. Which I documented on Facebook to the amusement and commiserations of the masses. After the swelling went down on my head where I was banging it on the wall, I went back and started cutting a step cut crown, just eyeballing the angles...and remarkably it did not fall apart and ended up looking pretty good! it only reveals its major flaws under a loupe. Don't think they will ever be set unless I can create a very protective setting. Mostly will just sit in a case. Pictures when I can log in from home. Cheers!
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Apr 25, 2017 16:46:39 GMT -5
I believe that this rough was from the Rogerley Mine. Yeah, Weardale, County Durham. I believe the mine is now closed - recently so what you have / can get in the near future is probably all there will be. It might be worth picking up some pieces. Yup LOL - yeah! That's what happens! You did well! I think that's the best thing for it. Any pressure on setting would propagate those fissures. Yes please - I'm not on Facebook.
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pizzij
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2009
Posts: 102
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Post by pizzij on Apr 25, 2017 20:56:12 GMT -5
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