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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2013 18:25:57 GMT -5
I have been fortunate to get many nice gifts from friends. Now that I am back in the spheremaking track (soccer is over for now) I thought it would be a nice tribute to my friends if I made a Work in Progress (WIP) for the stones and finished spheres I make from them. Just starting them now so I can add as cuts or progress is made. The first is some gemmy silicated "variscite" from vegasjames. No doubt, it's the right color, but way to hard to be variscite. James suggested there is another site with silicated variscite so that may well be what he has here. In this WIP, I am late to the table. None of the raw stone. Just the cubes. Two of them.      More to come in the next few weeks. These images are dry. |
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Post by vegasjames on Nov 28, 2013 1:43:33 GMT -5
That stuff looks really familiar. I have some that looks just like it.  There is a site about 100 miles North of where I got this where they are mining silicified variscite, which is much harder than normal variscite. The color range also fits variscite as does its color change in response to high heat. Therefore, I am pretty sure it is a variscite, but I am trying to get it analyzed to make sure. I checked with two places that do XRF, but both places stated that their testing does not include aluminum. That would be worthless since variscite is an aluminum phosphate. I found a lab in Canada that does various tests on minerals including testing by atomic absorption spectrometer for a real reasonable cost. So I plan to send them a sample of this along with some other minerals I need testing on anyway. Hopefully I will have a definitive answer as to what this stone is soon. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2013 13:26:37 GMT -5
awesome James. gemfeller offered to have a look too. If you don't mind I plan to send him some to play with. |
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Post by vegasjames on Nov 29, 2013 16:05:25 GMT -5
awesome James. gemfeller offered to have a look too. If you don't mind I plan to send him some to play with. Yes, that's fine with me. I'll take whatever information anyone can give me on the stone. |
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Post by pghram on Dec 2, 2013 11:49:57 GMT -5
Those should make magnificant spheres, can't wait to see the finish.
Rich
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Post by 1dave on Dec 20, 2013 12:09:01 GMT -5
Any progress?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2013 12:13:01 GMT -5
nope - home renovations and work have kept me from cuttin'
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Post by christopherl1234 on Dec 20, 2013 22:14:14 GMT -5
[/quote]
There is a site about 100 miles North of where I got this where they are mining silicified variscite, which is much harder than normal variscite. The color range also fits variscite as does its color change in response to high heat. Therefore, I am pretty sure it is a variscite, but I am trying to get it analyzed to make sure. I checked with two places that do XRF, but both places stated that their testing does not include aluminum. That would be worthless since variscite is an aluminum phosphate. I found a lab in Canada that does various tests on minerals including testing by atomic absorption spectrometer for a real reasonable cost. So I plan to send them a sample of this along with some other minerals I need testing on anyway. Hopefully I will have a definitive answer as to what this stone is soon.
[/quote]
Would you mind sharing the name of the company doing the testing? I have some material I would like to get tested also
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Post by vegasjames on Dec 21, 2013 2:14:31 GMT -5
There is a site about 100 miles North of where I got this where they are mining silicified variscite, which is much harder than normal variscite. The color range also fits variscite as does its color change in response to high heat. Therefore, I am pretty sure it is a variscite, but I am trying to get it analyzed to make sure. I checked with two places that do XRF, but both places stated that their testing does not include aluminum. That would be worthless since variscite is an aluminum phosphate. I found a lab in Canada that does various tests on minerals including testing by atomic absorption spectrometer for a real reasonable cost. So I plan to send them a sample of this along with some other minerals I need testing on anyway. Hopefully I will have a definitive answer as to what this stone is soon. [/quote] Would you mind sharing the name of the company doing the testing? I have some material I would like to get tested also[/quote] I have not had a chance to contact them yet. But here is their websites download page that has the price list for services: acmelab.com/services/downloads/They are also the least expensive I have found. |
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Post by christopherl1234 on Dec 21, 2013 23:12:56 GMT -5
Thank you!
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