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Post by stonesthatrock on Aug 8, 2007 23:54:36 GMT -5
these have some beautiful colors, greens, blues and reds. its like obsidian, with nice colors i also bought this peruivan opal, very pretty Oh and these i couldn't pass up. The lady called them fiber optic rocks, not sure what you do with them but they are pretty.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,789
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Post by adrian65 on Aug 9, 2007 1:40:12 GMT -5
I can't believe you've bought the first one for only 2 $! It looks very interesting.
Adrian
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 9, 2007 2:10:50 GMT -5
Looks like the top example is variscite or chrysoprase both of which are often found in that buff colored host rock. Was thinking it could be chrysoprase but the matrix doesn't look quite right. A scratch test with a nail should firm up the ID as variscite is Mohs about 4-5 while chrysoprase is mohs 7 and won't scratch with the steel. Second slab is tiger eye and the third material looks like slag which is glass leftover from glass manufacturing. Nice specimens all!.....Mel
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Aug 9, 2007 8:43:23 GMT -5
Boy I really like that 1st one. It's such a nice shade of green. Looks like you got a great deal on that chunk. I can't help but wonder why the lady calls those marbles fiber-optic rocks.. Do they have flash? I've seen similar looking beads called 'Cat's Eye' but they exhibit a definite 'flash'. Neat Stuff, STR Dan
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Post by takilasunrise on Aug 9, 2007 8:44:59 GMT -5
Ummmm, they're rocks! LOL!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 9, 2007 9:35:57 GMT -5
Dan: I've been told those spheres are actually made from the same material as fiber optic cable. Out here they are sold under the name "Dale Stone" or "Fiber Optic Stone". Man made of course, and with a nice cat's eye, multicolors, and mohs 5 hardness, Dale Stone is becoming pretty popular for spheres, beads and such.....Mel
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Aug 9, 2007 9:44:34 GMT -5
Mel, I guess that's what is confusing me.... I watched a documentary not too long ago about how they make FiberOptic cable... It's just ultra pure glass. The way they do it is pretty neat... they take a glass ingot and heat it till it's glowing. It's taken to the top of a very tall tower and using only gravity it's allowed to stretch into ultra thin fibers.
It's amazing to me that light can be transmitted though these fibers around curves and corners without any of the light escaping.....
Dan
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 9, 2007 9:51:00 GMT -5
Dan: I'm with you on that. I took physics in college of course ( memorized the formulas and the math for tests and such) but you'll never convince me lots of that stuff isn't just magic *L*. Never did really "understand" all that stuff!....Mel
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luv2hound
freely admits to licking rocks
I try & I try, but dang it! Those rocks just keep ending up in my pockets
Member since June 2007
Posts: 890
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Post by luv2hound on Aug 9, 2007 13:55:41 GMT -5
You got some really nice buys. Never seen it before but I really like that first one.
~~Mitzi~~
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Post by stonesthatrock on Aug 9, 2007 22:40:26 GMT -5
yes, i thought they were interesting enough to buy. hehehe
ty for your help
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