Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Aug 21, 2009 11:49:34 GMT -5
Saw this last night shapeandcolour.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/roger-hiorns-seizure/Any how it got me thinking you could build your own geode. Think something like a Brazilian amethyst but blue and home made. Here is my idea, let me know if you think anything should be changed. 1- go to garage sales, second hand stores until you find a big pottery vase. 2- cut vase at angle from base on front side to top lip on back side forming cut geode shape with base. 3- use weldbond or similar to glue sand to outside for "natural" look. 4- drill small holes into but not through inside of vase. 5- put a copper sulfate crystal in each hole. These will act as start points for crystal growth and hold everything to sides. 6- lay flat and fill with super saturated copper sulfate solution. 7- wait a couple of days. I'm thinking that should give you one very cool looking fake mineral specimen for pretty cheap. I think it would be pretty cool, just don't sell them on Ebay. The Chinese already have the fake mineral market cornered.
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Post by frane on Aug 23, 2009 8:49:24 GMT -5
Sounds like a cool project but that artist went way over the top! Sure looked amazing though! If you try it, please keep us posted! Fran
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 23, 2009 9:46:58 GMT -5
Sounds nice. I'd read the handling/disposal instructions carefully. I think copper sulfate is the stuff used to kill roots in plumbing systems. They also use it in the ponds around us to prevent algae growth. I don't know if that makes it hazardous or not but sometimes it is good to read the instructions.
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Post by NatureNut on Aug 23, 2009 9:51:37 GMT -5
Wow, Sask. That's cool. What was the liquid they were dipping their feet in at the end? Water?
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Aug 23, 2009 10:40:46 GMT -5
Over 31,000gal, 170,000 lbs of extra weight to the apt. @ a cost of $60,000 for material, plus installation. But it does have a cool factor of 9.8 ;D You can order the stuff online www.cqconcepts.com/chem_coppersulfate.php ,but There is a $20 shipping surcharge on each hazardous material ordered. OUCH! And your right it is a plant killer os you can't thro it in the back yard or down most drains since most water treatment facilities use bio-filtration to some extent. (and it would really clog up and reverse osmosis system). How about doing the vase idea, but putting in the copper sulfate and tumbling it for a few weeks (at an angle so it won't pour out of course). Then when the crystals are grown, cut it and have two creations (and maybe bigger crystals). Dr Joe .
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Aug 25, 2009 0:41:38 GMT -5
Dang, I had dreams of redecorating my bedroom, until I read more... VERY cool! The kids at school here do this in art/science each year, and display their crystal creations in a trophy case. They don't last, tho; they use safe ingredients (sugar and salt etc.)
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Aug 25, 2009 1:20:12 GMT -5
I have made copper sulfate crystals before, mine are about 2yrs old now and look as good as day 1. I bought the copper sulfate at Home Hardware (Its Canadian). No problem safety wise as long as you can resist licking it. Might have to look for a vase tommorow.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Aug 25, 2009 17:23:34 GMT -5
Got a jug today, $2.50 at the Salvation Army store. Can't imagine why someone donated this beauty. Now I just need to cut it across here.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Aug 26, 2009 21:52:52 GMT -5
The home hardware here doesn't carry it in bulk anymore Just in way overpriced bottles for roots in sewers. Have to see if they still got it at the one by our cabin on september long weekend. Did find it on Ebay though. tinyurl.com/mq34h3I'll get it one way or another.
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