mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Post by mc2 on Feb 27, 2011 11:25:41 GMT -5
These are my first attempts at working ammolite, and the first thing I have learned is that this stuff can be a challenge to work. Two of the pieces I had separated while working on them. One I was not able to salvage. I am going to have to try to find someone with some ammolite experience to help me along before I cut too much more. It is a little pricey, but these pieces I have are probably not high grade stuff, good for a beginner like me. These seem to be a bit trickier than opal. I made triplets of these, quartz on top, nephrite on the back. Wrapped in SS wire. Believe me, these pictures do not do the material justice at all. You have to see this material in person to really see the intensity of the colors. Easy to see why I am hooked on ammolite also now! I have also included two little videos to help show the color play, I'm not too happy with how the vids came out, but, here they are. Oh yea, these were both groove wrapped.      These next two are the videos, I think you should be able to click on them to play them. If not, let me know, I will try linking differently.   Thanks for looking! Mike |
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Post by roy on Feb 27, 2011 11:48:21 GMT -5
wow that stuff is awesome ! great wraps also
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Post by superioragates on Feb 27, 2011 11:49:31 GMT -5
Man those are jus sweet !!! Love that color in there!!!!
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aunuts
fully equipped rock polisher
Some days are gold, some are rocks. Either is cool.
Member since March 2006
Posts: 1,110
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Post by aunuts on Feb 27, 2011 20:24:46 GMT -5
Drop dead gorgeous - cabs & wraps.
jo
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 27, 2011 21:47:07 GMT -5
Amazing! Awesome job on these Mike!
I've never heard of that stuff. I'm gonna look it up...
Nate
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Post by Bikerrandy on Feb 28, 2011 4:21:54 GMT -5
Those cabs are amazing (and tiny!!) Beautiful job on the wire too!  |
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blr2449
has rocks in the head
Can I retire now?
Member since January 2011
Posts: 554
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Post by blr2449 on Feb 28, 2011 11:29:53 GMT -5
Those are beautiful. I'm going to find more information about it.
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amyk
fully equipped rock polisher
I'm a slabber, I'm a cabber, I'm a midnight wrapper.
Member since January 2010
Posts: 1,331
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Post by amyk on Feb 28, 2011 15:25:20 GMT -5
Never heard of it. But absolutely beautiful. Look at all the colors.  |
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Feb 28, 2011 16:49:55 GMT -5
Check out justcabs.com Dale Bramlette sells ammolite from Alberta, Canada.I always look at it when I visit his site.It's under mix rough rock.I've ordered material from him in the past, no problems.
snuffy
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Feb 28, 2011 16:56:32 GMT -5
these are awesome; I've been lusting after some ammolite ever since I saw it at a rock show. Can't seem to find any rough anywhere though.
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Post by tanyafrench on Feb 28, 2011 18:47:14 GMT -5
Mike, those are truly gems, the color is just amazing. You have done a wonderful job on the cabs and the wraps are beautiful as well.
Tanya
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Post by frane on Feb 28, 2011 20:10:54 GMT -5
really pretty stones and wraps! You did a great job!
Fran
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nomad
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2011
Posts: 17
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Post by nomad on Feb 28, 2011 20:13:23 GMT -5
Beautiful stuff. Really nice work. Congrats.
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Haleysdream
has rocks in the head
K-9 unit Rock Hounds
Member since January 2010
Posts: 654
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Post by Haleysdream on Mar 1, 2011 10:42:34 GMT -5
Wow so sweet ! The colors are fantastic, great job at wrapping too!
Nancy
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Post by takecouragedesigns on Mar 2, 2011 0:32:50 GMT -5
Gorgeous ammolite cabs! I've ordered from Justcabs before, too. Dave offers nice and affordable cabs.
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mystickoi
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2010
Posts: 211
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Post by mystickoi on Mar 2, 2011 11:36:30 GMT -5
Hi Mike, Those are amazing! I've never seen ammolite before, and so looked it up on Wikipedia. Apparently the stuff is extremely rare and potentially very expensive. Anyway, some questions on these; The quartz used on top... is this made from those quartz crystals is see for sale like this?  And what type of adhesive do you use to ensure a good bond and clarity? Kind Regards, Bill |
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mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Post by mc2 on Mar 2, 2011 12:38:42 GMT -5
Thanks Bill, and everyone! I used some optical quartz I purchased from riverbendlapidary, in the rough these pieces are not as nice as the ones in the picture, on their surface. They are water clear though when cut and worked. I used the 330epoxy, mixed very slowly to minimize air bubbles. Yes, ammolite is a little hard to find, but I have been able to search out three sites that offer some rough. Depending on the grade, they can range from affordable, meaning twenty or so dollars for a piece, on up. Finished pieces, I have seen some going for a thousand dollars! I hope to eventually be able to work some like that, but I don't know if I could ever sell it!! It is that pretty,lol!!
Mike
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mystickoi
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2010
Posts: 211
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Post by mystickoi on Mar 2, 2011 14:58:47 GMT -5
Thanks Mike!
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Mar 2, 2011 21:10:47 GMT -5
Stunning, absolutely gorgeous!
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Mar 4, 2011 23:43:31 GMT -5
I had to look it up too. I don't think it would like my tumbler.  I did find a nice little cab that looks like dragon skin that I had to get for my dragon lovin' sister. Thanks for sharing this with us! |
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I did find a nice little cab that looks like dragon skin that I had to get for my dragon lovin' sister. Thanks for sharing this with us!
