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Post by stardiamond on Mar 30, 2015 14:50:27 GMT -5
I got a 4 piece 6 pound lot one ebay that arrived today. One of the pieces is suppose to have potential for iris. It is too big for my trim saw. Another piece is all skin with some opal showing. The other two pieces were broken and have some nice color showing.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 30, 2015 16:49:27 GMT -5
Oh yes!!! I see some potential with those big boy...Montanas are my favorite rock to cut..........SCORE!!
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Post by stardiamond on Mar 31, 2015 14:52:16 GMT -5
faced the first piece: Slabbed the second and the piece that had skin: Not what I was hoping for but I should get some cabs, barring fractures.
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 31, 2015 16:48:53 GMT -5
yes, the outside did look more promising. the crystal centers is a letdown.
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Mark K
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Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,772
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Post by Mark K on Mar 31, 2015 17:54:36 GMT -5
That crystal center is where you will find the iris effect in the rare case that it has it. Also, you have to cut it right and thin. I sat last year talking to a guy who is most likely the top guy for MT iris agate. He said he probably cuts 1000 agates for each that has iris.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 31, 2015 20:33:26 GMT -5
Still some cabber and or cutters in the slabs....
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Mar 31, 2015 22:24:51 GMT -5
I am with Mike, definitely some jewlery cab potential in those slabs. try candling your mt agates, some are coolest as whole specimens.... Mark nailed it, crystal centers have best potential for iris. Cut real thin and best to use an LED light to look for the iris. I always love to see the MTs, thanks for posting. Cheers
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 31, 2015 23:01:41 GMT -5
Those with the crystals look like they had iris potential. They must be cut super thin and polished on both sides to get the best iris effect. Mark are you talking about Dale? He lives out of Kalama WA, about a half hour from me.
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Mark K
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Member since April 2012
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Post by Mark K on Apr 1, 2015 10:27:17 GMT -5
I don't remember the man's name but I am pretty sure he lives in or near Bozeman.
I also think, based upon basic physics, that the led would not be anywhere near as good as natural sunlight for finding the iris.
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Mark K
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Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,772
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Post by Mark K on May 18, 2015 11:38:46 GMT -5
Guess who I talked to the other day?
The iris agate guy.
He was at Tom Harmon's store with the best iris agate I have ever seen.
I have never seen a pic of a better one.
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Mark K
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Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,772
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Post by Mark K on May 18, 2015 11:43:23 GMT -5
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on May 18, 2015 13:17:04 GMT -5
Love Iris..................I have cut 100's of Montana's and Carnelian-only have one Iris from all those slabs....Keep on cutting....
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Post by stardiamond on May 18, 2015 13:46:02 GMT -5
I have a thin slab somewhere with an iris effect. Not as spectacular as the one you posted. I cut the piece of rough with a possible iris effect and it wasn't anything special.
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