Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2012 16:58:29 GMT -5
I met a geologist who is in the process of opening a gold mine and he had some pyrite he wanted cut, for cutting the the piece he gave me half. ;D He mentioned that if I soaked it in vinegar for a few days it would turn iridescent. I am pretty happy with the results. I think I am going to make a sphere out of it. Tim   |
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Post by helens on Aug 5, 2012 17:14:41 GMT -5
Say WHAT?! Will that color stay???
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 5, 2012 17:19:40 GMT -5
Awesome!!! I can't believe that I've never heard of this before! Too cool  |
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Post by deb193redux on Aug 5, 2012 17:20:47 GMT -5
i wonder if it works with pyritized ammonites
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Aug 5, 2012 18:31:18 GMT -5
Wow, that is really neat!
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Post by Roller on Aug 5, 2012 21:30:20 GMT -5
wow ! does it stay ?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2012 22:28:47 GMT -5
Not sure how well it will stay, it does not wipe off. I doubt that it penetrated that deep, when i work the material I will soak it after polish to bring out the colors.
I have some other pyrite soaking, not sure of the source, but it is not changing colors like this stuff. Must be the copper minerals in the chalcopyrite that is causing it.
When I get around to cabing or making a sphere I will update with some pics.
Thanks everyone.
Tim
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Aug 5, 2012 23:18:54 GMT -5
That IS cool! Yes, let us know if it stays! I have some slabs of that I picked up years ago that looks like yours (MESSY to work, ugh) but I love the cabs. Adding color like that would be something!
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Post by mohs on Aug 10, 2012 11:33:19 GMT -5
Interesting! I was wondering what I had  A person picked this up in Flagstaff at a rock show They called it peacock I just ground the edge and the iridescence doesn't penetrate to deeply Pure pyrite. Fools ya I be re-missed if I didn't ask: Any idea of general location where the fellah mining for gold, Tim? Ed |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2012 14:53:47 GMT -5
Hi Ed,
He said the mine is near Mayor. He is letting me and one friend tour the mine and collect as much material as we want. Hopefully we will get out there early Sept. I will post pic's.
Tim
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Post by mohs on Aug 10, 2012 21:33:31 GMT -5
That will be a great trip Tim
The Bradshaws still have lots of secret & gold in them thar hills!
On a side note is there any specific recipe to this soaking in vinegar?
Thanks
Ed
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2012 18:55:32 GMT -5
Thanks to Shotgunner for posting the pic's of his spheres, it got me motivated. Here is a sphere from the material above, the blue patina is only on the surface and sands off very easily. Here is the sphere at a 1000 grit pre-polish.  I then soaked it in vinegar for a few days to get the blue patina. For some odd reason it would not change colors, then I found this link on mindat that said place some scrap copper wire in the solution. www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,19,180405,182061 After one night it changed colors, I may have left it in too long, it was a bit more purple then I wanted. But, the wife loves it the way it is. :-)  Thanks for looking, Tim |
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller 
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,105
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Post by Thunder69 on Aug 16, 2012 19:52:25 GMT -5
Now that is an awesome sphere.....I like it.....John
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Aug 16, 2012 20:44:12 GMT -5
Neat!! I like the purple too. I'm going to try it on a small cab I have. Do you know if it stays yet, or turns back?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2012 9:13:36 GMT -5
Hi Deedolce,
It's only been a few weeks since the initial experiment, so far the end cuts from the large piece have not faded in color. I suppose you could always give it a quick spray of high gloss lacquer to keep it from oxidizing any further.
Tim
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rattlehead
starting to spend too much on rocks
MI Rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rattlehead on Aug 17, 2012 12:33:16 GMT -5
Now, thats awesome!
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Post by mohs on Aug 17, 2012 12:41:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the link Tim!
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rockingthenorth
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2012
Posts: 1,637
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Post by rockingthenorth on Aug 17, 2012 13:00:29 GMT -5
Wow and double Wow. it's beautiful
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2012 10:21:14 GMT -5
dude, I want a hunk or three of that stuff. I'd love two spheres. One gold and one vinegar treated! That is awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2012 16:52:42 GMT -5
I am going up to the mine where this was collected Sept. 8. I am planing on bringing home several hundred pounds. If it works out I will hook you up.
Tim
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