spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
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Post by spokanetim on Dec 15, 2010 18:41:05 GMT -5
I've pretty much given up trying to find and buy online large gem quality natural amethyst, smoky quartz and citrine crystals for the plugs. Most was not as advertised or crazy expensive. So, I bought some man made material. It too was very expensive but there's no crap to cut out and it sure look pretty. Amethyst Smoky Quartz Citrine And something very cool, sapphire blue quartz If you look closely you can see the wafer thin optic quartz in the center which the new quartz grows onto. If you want to see how it's made this site gives a good description with pictures. www.theimage.com/newgems/synthetic/syntheticanimate4.htmlNow I've just got to "man up" and cut it. Tim
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Post by morerockspleaz on Dec 15, 2010 18:46:57 GMT -5
Fantastic colors there, really neat material. I really like the blue.
BeLinda
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Post by gr on Dec 15, 2010 18:48:12 GMT -5
Tim, very cool material. Where is the site?
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spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
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Post by spokanetim on Dec 15, 2010 18:52:54 GMT -5
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Dec 15, 2010 21:56:48 GMT -5
COOL! Even though it's created, it's some beautiful stuff! I LOVE that sapphire blue!
Nate
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Post by Toad on Dec 16, 2010 15:25:57 GMT -5
Sometimes there is no choice but synthetic. Nice looking material. Let's see some plugs...
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Dec 18, 2010 16:31:58 GMT -5
those are wild!
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Post by Toad on Dec 18, 2010 19:26:28 GMT -5
Since it is synthetic, what is the difference between quartz and glass?
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Post by frane on Dec 18, 2010 22:31:05 GMT -5
Beautiful colors there! Fran
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spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
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Post by spokanetim on Dec 18, 2010 23:33:35 GMT -5
Hey Toad, I difference is that it's actually the real thing, quartz crystals grown in a autoclave under extreme heat and pressure over many weeks. Natural quartz grows the same way just MUCH slower and in a impure environment which causes the impurities and inclusions over time. Man made quartz has the exact same molecular structure, specific gravity, and hardness of pure natural quartz.
Glass is a non crystallin. It's quartz sand together with sodium carbonate, lime, aluminium oxide, lead, and other components melted together to make our windows and drinking glasses.
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Post by Toad on Dec 19, 2010 13:17:42 GMT -5
Thanks, Tim
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