Post by nansaidh on Aug 29, 2008 18:35:40 GMT -5
And given that I didn't know about loading according to hardness when I started this batch, I'm pretty dang happy with the results. I'd say about 60% of the batch were rejects, but my plants will adopt these "smooth but not shiny" friends for pot decoration. 
Some took a great shine - the "jades" from Moonstone Beach faired the best, I think. Forgive the excess of lint - I dried everything with those blue utility paper towels and they leave lint everywhere. 
The gallery's been updated (as well as the blog) and here are a few "highlights" from the batch.
The keepers:
My "mystery stone" - any guesses on what this is would be much appreciated. The flecks are not physical holes, but are in the stone itself and although they appear white in the photos, they're actually a really pretty baby blue. What-the-heck-am-I?
You can actually see the reflection of the front of my camera lens in the shine. ;D edit: I just discovered this stone is translucent! It certainly appears black, but in front of a strong light, it shines a gorgeous deep cognac brown color (in case this helps with ID)
I think we determined this was jade...
Most of the "green meanies" plus the pale translucent pebbles that might be moonstone but probably aren't really. lol
Quartz? Whatever it is, the gold striations are pretty.
This one will definitely be set - deep dark red on a black base. Anyone guess what this is?
This will be set too - beautiful greens, reds, & golds (jasper?)
I'd like to know what this is too (if someone says "chert" i'm gonna scream) - steel grey with those rust colored areas. Very neat looking. Hematite? (on the CA coast??)
Thru the Loupe - thanks for the idea to whomever it was who managed some shots thru their 10x loupe - it was fun! This is the "black mystery stone" again...
I also noticed that several of my jade pebbles from Moonstone Bch had bluish areas. No, this isn't wishful thinking or rub-off from joining the Pacific Jade forum ;D they're really there. lol This one has the largest area of blue - but it doesn't translate well on the camera's sensor.
Another "thru the loupe" pic - a jasper piece with a little area of quartz crystals that I didn't even see until I viewed the photo!
That's all - the rest are in the gallery if'n you wanna see more.
Thanks fer lookin' !!!
Nancy
Some took a great shine - the "jades" from Moonstone Beach faired the best, I think. Forgive the excess of lint - I dried everything with those blue utility paper towels and they leave lint everywhere. 
The gallery's been updated (as well as the blog) and here are a few "highlights" from the batch.
The keepers:
My "mystery stone" - any guesses on what this is would be much appreciated. The flecks are not physical holes, but are in the stone itself and although they appear white in the photos, they're actually a really pretty baby blue. What-the-heck-am-I?
You can actually see the reflection of the front of my camera lens in the shine. ;D edit: I just discovered this stone is translucent! It certainly appears black, but in front of a strong light, it shines a gorgeous deep cognac brown color (in case this helps with ID)I think we determined this was jade...
Most of the "green meanies" plus the pale translucent pebbles that might be moonstone but probably aren't really. lol
Quartz? Whatever it is, the gold striations are pretty.
This one will definitely be set - deep dark red on a black base. Anyone guess what this is?
This will be set too - beautiful greens, reds, & golds (jasper?)
I'd like to know what this is too (if someone says "chert" i'm gonna scream) - steel grey with those rust colored areas. Very neat looking. Hematite? (on the CA coast??)
Thru the Loupe - thanks for the idea to whomever it was who managed some shots thru their 10x loupe - it was fun! This is the "black mystery stone" again...
I also noticed that several of my jade pebbles from Moonstone Bch had bluish areas. No, this isn't wishful thinking or rub-off from joining the Pacific Jade forum ;D they're really there. lol This one has the largest area of blue - but it doesn't translate well on the camera's sensor.
Another "thru the loupe" pic - a jasper piece with a little area of quartz crystals that I didn't even see until I viewed the photo!
That's all - the rest are in the gallery if'n you wanna see more.
Thanks fer lookin' !!!
Nancy
