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Post by kk on Jun 24, 2012 4:10:27 GMT -5
Hi there, hope everyone enjoys a pleasant weekend. Have taken on a new project earlier this week and that's where I'm now.  Local rock that I found last month, possibly a slate.  Came upon some weak spots in the tail section, so had to rearrange the tail, which shortens the piece a little, but make it more fragile for hanging from a leather -band. But now I'm pretty much stuck with the hind-legs. Can't do them in a natural way and will have to bend them similar to a frog. So will see if that works. OK, so here I'm now. Basically close to finish the preform:  Thanks for looking,..... Kurt |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2012 7:33:39 GMT -5
Looking great KK. Showing us your ability to adapt again. Seems like every carving has a problem that you manage to overcome with finesse.
Is that the same soft stone that you sent to me? I have not done any SG tests yet but I did check the hardness of that stone and it is only about a 2.9 to 3.0 mohs. About the same as Chinese soapstone but carving the two side by side your stone is just a tiny bit harder. It is a little bit too hard for carving with hand tools but it is possible if you are diligent and persistent. lol The Chinese would laugh at me if they saw me carving it with hand tools. It should be really easy to sand smooth though. I like to hand sand rock of that hardness because I can go up through the grits pretty fast and it polishes pretty good at 3000 and 5000.
It is in the same hardness category as calcite 2.8 to 3.0, talc 2.8, muscovite 2.8 and tremolite 3.0. I will do some SG tests today to see if I can get a closer ID. Do you know how the island of Hong Kong was formed? That might help in the ID also.
Love seeing your work.
Jim
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2012 8:37:27 GMT -5
I have done the SG test on all of them and it varies quite a bit. I will take a photo and list the SG in the photo. Two of the pieces are strongly attracted to a magnet and one is attracted very lightly. The SG of the green stone is 3.2 but it is way to soft to be nephrite and too heavy to be talc. So, we still have a mystery. The black and yellow stuff looks like nickel but it is way to light.
I need to go to the on line mineral data base to do more searching. My book does not have real good information. We may never know without a chemist but it is fun to try to figure it out.
Jim
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Post by NatureNut on Jun 24, 2012 9:28:54 GMT -5
He's wonderful!
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 24, 2012 9:57:49 GMT -5
Being the reptile lover that I am, I really like that one!!  |
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Post by Rockhobbit on Jun 24, 2012 10:00:27 GMT -5
I just love that! Lizards are everywhere here. 5 on my front porch right now, drinking from the water hose that I leave on drip for them. You have captured their personality in that! I love to watch them look at me and I see that in your lizard. First time I have 'felt' the passion in your work. GREAT JOB!
Sheri
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jun 24, 2012 10:08:39 GMT -5
I am liking that lizard! Great work!
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Jun 24, 2012 10:39:02 GMT -5
Cool lizard!
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Post by tntmom on Jun 24, 2012 11:11:53 GMT -5
That is looking SO COOL Kurt!!! I love it!!!
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Post by helens on Jun 24, 2012 22:17:45 GMT -5
Whoohooo! That's going to be wonderful:)! LOVE the head shape:)!!
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deniseh
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2012
Posts: 2
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Post by deniseh on Jun 25, 2012 0:09:15 GMT -5
Kurt, The lizard is looking good. Looking forward to more photos.  |
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Post by gingerkid on Jun 25, 2012 7:40:19 GMT -5
Wow, kk, awesome carving and cannot wait to see the grand finale!! |
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rockingthenorth
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2012
Posts: 1,637
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Post by rockingthenorth on Jun 25, 2012 18:49:35 GMT -5
very cool. you sure are talented.. looks like a komoto dragon to me from the side veiw...Love It
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xXxAlisha91xXx
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by xXxAlisha91xXx on Jun 27, 2012 23:51:35 GMT -5
That's coming along great!
Next, you should do an iguana. I can't imagine how the little spikes would work out though...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2012 9:01:55 GMT -5
A Wyoming nephrite iguana might look pretty good. I need to return the favor of all the awesome things that you sent to me. I have shipped some rocks to China and it was not nearly as expensive as I thought it would be. PM your address and I will ship some to you.
Jim
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