bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719 
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 14, 2009 17:17:07 GMT -5
I have a costumer that whats some cabs made out of Abiquiu Agate. Can anyone help me out?
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Post by Michael John on Apr 14, 2009 17:59:47 GMT -5
From the little info I found in a search, it appears that the Abiquiu area yields variety in it's gemstones. Can you be more specific about what the customer wants? Do you have a pic?
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 14, 2009 19:39:01 GMT -5
Thanks MJ
No I don't have a pic, he says its allso called Black Agate. I forgot say I'm looking for about ten lbs. of rough. Will ask if he has a pic.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 14, 2009 22:03:29 GMT -5
Check with Susan ( NMrocks). I think she either hunts or knows someone who hunts that area.....Mel
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Post by Michael John on Apr 15, 2009 2:45:31 GMT -5
If you can't get it through NMrocks, be careful when purchasing this sort of material. What's commonly sold on the market as "onyx", "black agate", or "black chalcedony" is almost always dyed jasper from India. It's most commonly sold in the rough as "black chalcedony". Sellers will swear up and down that it's not dyed, but it is, and part of the con is asking a high price for it.
If you do end-up being able to buy "the real McCoy", be prepared to pay dearly for it.
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Apr 15, 2009 4:57:30 GMT -5
Don't know if this would be any help. If so, please pm me. I've been collecting agatized coral the past few weeks. A lot of it is black - probably more chert than agate. Same family as agate and jasper, tho. I can send you a small piece and you can decide if you want more. I'll be more than happy to fill a flat rate box for you if you want it and will pay the postage. No charge for the rock. Susan 2(the other Susan from Florida!)    |
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Post by Michael John on Apr 15, 2009 11:44:01 GMT -5
Susan, that's beautiful stuff! What a very kind offer!
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Apr 15, 2009 13:01:11 GMT -5
also susan any cherts you find on the beach will be black from the saltwater. We have different patinas in the rivers and the ocean here in Fl. The St. Johns river will give a blueish patina. So as a collector of artifacts its sometimes easy to tell where a point was found
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Post by Bikerrandy on Apr 15, 2009 16:40:47 GMT -5
Most true black agate that I've seen has some white inclusions.
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 15, 2009 18:34:53 GMT -5
Thanks for all the help. Susan I sent you a pm.
I still can't find a pic. The costumer said he would send a pic to me. Any info I read says it is clear with black,white and red banding. But he says it is black. hmmm
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 17, 2009 16:27:49 GMT -5
Still looking. Can anyone point me in the right direction. This guy has a deadline to meet.
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Post by Michael John on Apr 18, 2009 3:59:15 GMT -5
Brother, I've searched and searched, and came-up empty handed for Abiquiu black agate. In fact, the only "black agates" I found had black IN them, but black wasn't even the predominant color.
I have Psilomelane, which is a black gemstone, but it's still untested. There's some en route to two forum members who are going to see how well it works and how it looks once it's been cabbed.
If you'd like to try dying some agate black, you immerse the agate in sufuric acid and sugar. The reaction creates a compound of carbon which is absorbed into the porous agate and colors it more or less permanently. Different types of agate will take the process differently, depending on the other minerals in the agate.
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 18, 2009 8:58:39 GMT -5
Thanks very much for your efforts MJ. I'm going to go with The coral that Susan has. I did find some of the Abiquiu, in New Mex. contacted the guy, says he has lots but has failed to return any of my other emails. I also found some black and white agate, but they want over $40 for shipping a 7lb piece. They must ship by Brinks for that price. Thanks again BMB
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Apr 18, 2009 21:56:54 GMT -5
20 lbs. will be on your way on Monday. It may not be exactly what you're looking for, but the piece I cut the other day worked up pretty nicely.
Susan2
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 19, 2009 9:46:37 GMT -5
Thanks Susan your a sweetheart.  I'm starting on your cab today. Will be the first cab I have tried since my table saw took a bite out of me. |
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I'm starting on your cab today. Will be the first cab I have tried since my table saw took a bite out of me. 
Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
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Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
