Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Apr 13, 2024 14:44:26 GMT -5
The person who originally restarted the contest called it the FCC, fun cab contest. Let's keep it fun. Yeah but... I think the ORIGINAL original contest name was the killer cab contest... killing can be fun too, just sayin
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 13, 2024 14:41:40 GMT -5
Congrats agatewhisperer! Beautiful cab. That's the exact reason I didn't participate lol - I would have had the wonkiest symmetrical triangle ever lol... Hey that sounds like a great contest theme - the "wonkiest cab" contest! Tommy? That DOES sound like fun I'll be sure to suggest it next time I'm being asked for theme ideas.
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 13, 2024 11:24:06 GMT -5
Thanks for info! We are heading to Oatman tomorrow! The deciding factor was feeding the burros in the downtown area! I guess it's as good as a deciding factor as anything else, lol!!! How'd you do? There's an unwritten rule here that if we help you find nice rocks or burros, posting photos of such is mandatory I'm totally kidding but yes we love pictures.
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 12, 2024 20:33:18 GMT -5
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 12, 2024 19:07:26 GMT -5
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 12, 2024 18:57:07 GMT -5
I do look back and review the rules on occasion. I've been a little confused on the backlit section and have stretched things a bit on that one. I've had cabs that look like crap without a little bit of light coming through. The definition of backlit is a photo where the primary light is coming from behind. I've taken pictures outside on a piece of glass with the whole thing facing up. The sun is above lighting the front and there is just enough ambient light from the back so you can see the inside of the cab. I don't know if I've done it more than once, but I did it on my Montana Agate heart. This is definitely within the rules as written, hope I'm not stretching too far! What do you think about this Tommy . When I was selling cabochons my favorites were plume agates which always led to the struggle of taking photos that showcase the internal features - the reasons I made the cabochon in the first place. I employed as many tricks as I could find to do the job without shining a light into it from the back which is as you said by definition back lighting. I actually experimented with back lighting but always thought it made the stone look worse. I couldn't have said it better myself Thanks for the refresher.
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 12, 2024 18:49:09 GMT -5
Welcome from Napa!
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 10, 2024 9:37:56 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum mirkee! You live in a rock lovers paradise down there. So many beaches, so little time haha
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 10, 2024 9:30:00 GMT -5
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 10, 2024 9:25:45 GMT -5
Happy birthday Robin Hope you have a nice day.
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 9, 2024 9:12:20 GMT -5
Those are all very nice roQhound! You are off to a great start
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Tommy
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Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 8, 2024 14:21:02 GMT -5
PS- Tommy you need to get back up here, the $1 pile is about 300 tons now. Even after the dent I put in it?? Haha You've been busy
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 8, 2024 10:20:08 GMT -5
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Tommy
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Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 8, 2024 10:11:55 GMT -5
Hi, it's Pietersite. He lived in Melbourne but I couldn't tell you where he got it from. Welcome to the forum! Pricing rough rocks is tricky - the simplified answer to your question of the rock's value is literally as much as you are willing to wait or work for. The road to waiting for the the highest value should include a solid identification and a peek inside the rock. If you are able to provide high-res close up photos that shows this rock exhibiting features such as blue chatoyancy through 'windowing' which means chipping or cutting a decent view of what's inside the rock, or even cutting a end-cap off if you have the capability for that. If you're selling it in person to an experienced rock person then the previous thought is less important because they can hold it and turn it around and get a greater understanding of the total potential. The following is VERY general and unscientific example of rockonomics but it's pretty much how it goes in the lapidary hobby. There are exceptions of course with highly valuable rocks such as turquoise and obviously if it's a museum quality rock that's an entirely different conversation. Rough rock - buyer assumes max risk - least value$1 per lb to $75 per lb? Rough rock which is not cut or windowed presents the most risk to a buyer. Our forum member catmandewe has a pile of probably 20 tons of rocks from all over the US and beyond, priced to sell in the $1 per lb range. Every rock in this pile is likely to have shown enough potential that it caused a rockhound to pick it up, lick it, and bring it home with them. The risk of buying a rough rock is very high that it will turn out to be mostly crappy matrix inside or it can be riddled with fractures. Example: high grade material, 40lb rough rock, $1000 - $3000 to the right buyerCut/faced/slabbed rock - seller assumes max risk - value addedWith a display cut or cutting the rock into slabs, the value switches to a total of the pieces price. A high grade 1/4" thick slab of pietersite could easily sell in the $100 to $200 range because most of the risk of purchasing the rock has now been removed. Example: 40 slabs @ $100 to $200 each, $4000 - $8000 spread out over multiple buyersJewelry Ready Rocks - near zero risk, highest valueThis last example that could be used probably doesn't apply here but it's part of the economics. A lapidary artist who bought the whole rock and cut it up and makes maximum jewelry cabochons and sells them individually stands add the greatest lapidary value. Example: 40 slabs, 4 cabs each selling in the $80 to $180 each range (based on size/brilliance etc.), $12,800 to $28,800
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Apr 7, 2024 9:16:34 GMT -5
...and one in particular that might give you a comical-smart-aleck type answer! Gee, I can't imagine who you might be referring to
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Apr 7, 2024 9:14:36 GMT -5
I've searched online (usually Google) a number of times for info on various aspects of rock tumbling. This forum always seems to have answers - and always the best answers when several possibilities are available from multiple sources. Welcome to the forum and thanks for vote of confidence! It doesn't hurt either that the helpful advice comes from such a nice bunch of folks
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
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Post by Tommy on Apr 7, 2024 8:49:13 GMT -5
Tommy I’d personally hate to see the monthly cab contests halted. My life is extremely busy and this is often the only cab I make in a month. It’s a great incentive to get at least that one done. I have a theme which narrows down my work and gives me a focus and I can just concentrate on the cutting practice. And when 6 months goes by I have at least 6 cabs done as opposed to none. Also because I get so little lapidary time in I’m still learning a little something new or improving my workspace just a little bit more each month. I think maybe people are too worried about submitting a masterpiece. Especially for newer cabbers, it’s such great practice that it doesn’t matter really if it turns out all that great, I guarantee something will have been learned doing it. I try to mention the contest when I see new cabbers show up but that could probably be encouraged more… Thank you for the great input Khara, much appreciated.
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Tommy
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Member since January 2013
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Post by Tommy on Apr 6, 2024 13:53:18 GMT -5
Happy birthday to you both! Hope you get to play with rocks today
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Tommy
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Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Apr 6, 2024 11:31:10 GMT -5
Ummmm, Tommy, what’s a mega-contest? Hi Pat it was the Mohs memorial cab contest - I cut up a bunch of material and mailed out slabs to contestants who bought in.
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Apr 6, 2024 8:59:14 GMT -5
Yeah...yeah...I know...stupid choice for a theme! LOL Stop it! It was a great theme! I'm sorry if you really took my post to mean that the theme needed to be propped up. I say this with deep appreciate for everyone who participates in the contests, both entrants and discussion participants, but during covid era we all had a lot more time on our hands and the contests were averaging in the 16 to 19 entries. I knew at the time that it was likely unsustainable but I didn't expect it to drop quite this low by 2023. I've been wondering if it's time for a break in the action - maybe mix it up a bit with a yearly mega-contest like we had a while back?
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