Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2008 12:27:06 GMT -5
Tiffany Stone, Opalite, Bertrandite, Ice Cream Opal, Fluorite stained Opal.....whatever YOU call it, I just cut some LOL I have a friend who is being surprised with a "surprise" birthday party this weekend. Her husband told me her favorite color is purple so I started digging around in my rough for something that would work. I had this small piece of Tiffany Stone that freeform (Shain) had given me last year. To be honest, I am not a fan of the color purple but I was quite impressed with the depth of color and the patterns on the few little slabettes that I ended up with. The whole group:  My favorite piece:  A little closer:  That same piece and one other:  So just one question....does it normally have those little needle sprays in it? I havent seen that before but Ive never cut the material so what do I know LOL. Should I hoard that piece or is it no big deal? Thanks for lookin, Shannon |
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Feb 28, 2008 13:10:20 GMT -5
Sorry I can't help with the question of rarity, but that one is my favorite too! Very interesting.
Amy
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Post by Michael John on Feb 28, 2008 14:17:50 GMT -5
IMO, give her the nicest piece you can. You've had the rough chunk laying there since last year and you don't even care for purple! Sounds to me like it was destined for this occasion and it's intended recipient.
I clearly see a beautiful Sail cab in that piece.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2008 16:17:10 GMT -5
Michaeljohn,
I will definitely be giving her the one that I think she would like the very best. She likes real vivid purple so I do know that the mostly cream one with the dark needle-like pattern that I like so much would not be her favorite. I will choose the brightest piece for her cab. I was just wondering if that needle pattern was common or not. Due to the expense of the material, I probably wont ever be buying any so I was just curious.
Shannon
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Feb 28, 2008 17:38:48 GMT -5
Thats sure some purdy stone you gots there lol
Wolf
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one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Post by one80mike on Feb 28, 2008 21:29:20 GMT -5
I can't be of any help except to say, "great colours and patterns". Make sure you show us what you do with it.
Mike
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Post by akansan on Feb 28, 2008 22:13:55 GMT -5
I've looked at Tiffany Stone a bit, but I've a) never actually owned any and b) never seen any piece online like that. If I saw a piece like that one or like the one that Freeform posted about year ago, I would definitely own some!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,514
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 28, 2008 22:55:00 GMT -5
Wow, I'd call that sagenite and that's the first time I've seen it in Bertrandite. Very pretty and unusual and most probably rare too. Neat find!......Mel
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2008 23:28:03 GMT -5
Thanks Mel! I was waiting to see if you would chime in. I rarely keep material in my own collection but I might have to make an exception with that piece.
Shannon
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 29, 2008 0:17:13 GMT -5
Those needles are real killer!
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Feb 29, 2008 1:00:31 GMT -5
I would hoard it. I've never seen Bertrandite with a needles pattern.
Of course you know Bertrandite cannot be collected. The company that's mining it for beryllium has fenced off the property to all collectors. They used to allow collecting. Rumors swirl that some collector hurt himself on their property and sued them. Another rumor was the company was afraid to let people collect bertrandite for fear they would cut or grind it and inhale the dust and get berylliosis which is not possible. There is a lot of refining that goes into turning bertrandite into beryllium.
Last September at the Denver show there was a dealer that had a hotel room full of bertrandite. But his prices where through the roof. He said he lives in Delta, Utah and gets it from miners who work at the mine. I was able to buy some last summer at Contin Tail (A tailgate rock show in Buena Vista, CO). I paid $80 a pound and was glad to get it.
Rick
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Post by Titania on Feb 29, 2008 8:11:40 GMT -5
Very cool, Shannon! It looks like you've got several nice saturated purple sections that you could use to make her a great cab, while still keeping the needle sections for yourself.  |
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Post by stonesthatrock on Feb 29, 2008 21:24:00 GMT -5
that is some beautiful stuff, you could send the rest to me lol (seeing you don't care for purple)
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Mar 1, 2008 1:19:27 GMT -5
Hoard the needle slab. That doesn't appear very often I would guess. I have an eleven pound chunk with a chip knocked off one end that has a fern pattern all the way across the face. It looks so neat just the way it is, I just can't force myself to cut it. I thinned some lindseed oil and sprayed it to bring out the fern pattern and have it sitting on the T.V. Every time I walk by the thing I have to stop and admire it.
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Post by Cher on Mar 3, 2008 10:12:28 GMT -5
Wow that is really cool Shannon, I didn't know it was so purple. Now is that something that will tumble or is it too soft?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2008 13:12:15 GMT -5
Cher,
I know the material really varies due to the mix of minerals in it but the material I have is soft in the lighter areas and harder in the darker purple areas. This was the first stone Ive had that dissolved when it came into contact with my super glue dop stick. I ended up having to cab it without a dop.
The first cab I made was a flop. It undercut badly so I ground it down until just the darker areas remained and will someday see if I can salvage it. The second cab turned out better I posted a photo of the wrap in the wire wrapping section. I did however run a couple of cut off pieces through my tumbler a few months ago and I just found them the other day. Im not sure you would have much left if you tumbled it though.
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Post by beefjello on Mar 3, 2008 22:27:08 GMT -5
That sure is some purty stuff Shan!
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