Peter
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 51
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Post by Peter on Jul 23, 2009 19:23:09 GMT -5
This old part time gold miner agreed to send me some serpentine for free. (If I pay the FRB shipping) I'm not sure what it is or what to do with it. He says he literally has tons of it, some with quarts. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 24, 2009 1:49:41 GMT -5
It is a soft stone used for many things. A little tricky for jewelry but can be done. Great for carving. Early people used it for bowls, eating utensils, etc. The CA beach stuff looks pretty much like the jade from same area but much softer.
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chassroc
Cave Dweller 
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Jul 24, 2009 8:20:01 GMT -5
I've seen some nice Soapstone carving. My wife has done a few. Can Serpentine be worked with the same tool set?
csroc
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 24, 2009 9:20:17 GMT -5
Serpentine scratches with a knife so could likely be hand worked. It wouldn't be as soft as soapstone though. The museum pieces I've seen were not made with a Dremel or Foredom.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,497
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 24, 2009 10:12:38 GMT -5
Serpentine is a very variable material and ranges from really gemmy stuff to that which is just dull green and full of cleavage planes. The latter is pretty junky and worthless as a lapidary material. The good stuff is dense and solid and too hard for soapstone carving tools ( mohs 4-5). It is great for carving with diamond or SC power tools and makes nice cabs but it is often mixed hardness so sometimes can be difficult to polish without a sort of woodgrain finish from undercutting. The plain stuff wouldn't be worth the cost of postage. High quality stuff is really nice. You might want to get just a small sample before you send for a whole box.....Mel
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Peter
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 51
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Post by Peter on Jul 24, 2009 17:26:36 GMT -5
Thank you all for the information and insight. I will ask him what other rocks he sees while prospecting. (besides the gold, which he won't send me for free + shipping)
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Post by connrock on Jul 25, 2009 8:16:57 GMT -5
I made these pendants from (what I believe) is serpentine I collected in VT. Mel?   This material is often refered to as Verde Antique but from what I have read it is really serpentine. It was soft material for making cabs but it can be done. connrock |
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 25, 2009 8:46:42 GMT -5
We have a "Verde Antique" lime green marble near us.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,497
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 25, 2009 15:36:02 GMT -5
Connrock: Yep, that looks like nice serpentine all right. Your second example looks very much what we called frogskin serpentine ( bird's eye serpentine when it has spots) from near Valley Springs, CA. Like John says, what we called Verde Antique in California was a lime green serpentized marble from near Stoddard Wells, by Victorville, CA.....Mel
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Post by connrock on Jul 25, 2009 19:39:32 GMT -5
This is the abandoned quarry where I got the serpentine from. This was the old entrance road.The huge blocks are all serpentine.  This is a wall of serpentine where they stopped cutting.  All you want for the taking!  The "veins" ran from this lighter color to the black that you can see in the 2nd pendant.  Thanks for the ID Mel! |
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RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
Posts: 1,719
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Post by RockyBlue on Jul 31, 2009 21:48:58 GMT -5
Outstanding pendants Tom!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2009 1:32:56 GMT -5
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