likesrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2016
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Post by likesrocks on Sept 9, 2016 14:48:12 GMT -5
Hello all! I'm looking for a few pieces of Butter Stone Jade, would anyone perchance have some they are selling? I can handle rough material to 8", I dearly love this material and have several folks nearly standing in line to buy it!! Thanks!!!
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
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Post by Sabre52 on Sept 9, 2016 15:08:27 GMT -5
Wow, that one brings back memories. Haven't seen it around in years and heard one time that the Chinese have bought up most the larger hunks for carving. It's the yellow green, ancient sedimentary rock from South Africa you are talking about right? Only hunks I've seen in recent years are those little E-Bay 1" x 2" sample blocks they sell as African jade or Archeon Butterstone. I actually bought a couple I have around somewhere. Wanted it to compare to the Verde Antique serpentized marble from Victorville, CA. Different composition and origin mineralwise but very similar look......Mel
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likesrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2016
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Post by likesrocks on Sept 9, 2016 15:53:54 GMT -5
Yes, we are speaking of the same mineral!!! I recently obtained a few pieces and made some pendents of it, wow did folks go "gaga" over it!! Its real soft and it cuts easily, it seems to finish better with a soft sheen rather than a glossy shine.
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,503
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Post by Sabre52 on Sept 9, 2016 16:30:50 GMT -5
Yeah, I cut a nice cab from it once and it is a pretty material even though it only took a satin finish. I did find though, that the finish dulled a lot if it received any contact, rubbing etc. Generally, soft stones are boogers to hold a finish on as they are so easily abraded or scratched. Butterstone is apparently quite variable as it can range from mohs 1 to mohs 5 ( most likely due to variable silica content). My specimens were maybe mohs 2-3 at best, quite soft. Pendants would be the best bet as they receive less rubbing than other types of settings. The Verde Antique by the way, was harder ( mohs 3.5-4) and took a better more long lasting finish. If you cannot find the butterstone and want a viable American substitute with similar properties, that might be a good option as the color palette is very similar. I had a big mound of that in my yard back in Commiefornia but unfortunately did not bring it to Texas with me. One of the Commiefornians here might have some for you to try though, as it was quite easy to collect...Mel
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 17:02:34 GMT -5
Yeah, I cut a nice cab from it once and it is a pretty material even though it only took a satin finish. I did find though, that the finish dulled a lot if it received any contact, rubbing etc. Generally, soft stones are boogers to hold a finish on as they are so easily abraded or scratched. Butterstone is apparently quite variable as it can range from mohs 1 to mohs 5 ( most likely due to variable silica content). My specimens were maybe mohs 2-3 at best, quite soft. Pendants would be the best bet as they receive less rubbing than other types of settings. The Verde Antique by the way, was harder ( mohs 3.5-4) and took a better more long lasting finish. If you cannot find the butterstone and want a viable American substitute with similar properties, that might be a good option as the color palette is very similar. I had a big mound of that in my yard back in Commiefornia but unfortunately did not bring it to Texas with me. One of the Commiefornians here might have some for you to try though, as it was quite easy to collect...Mel There is a yellow marble not far from Verde antique. Hard rockining though. All pieces are large and buried. To me, that material (as found by googling) looks a lot like the green lizard stone from Burro Creek. |
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by Dr DG on Sept 9, 2016 17:03:14 GMT -5
the Verde antique marble takes a good shine, all rockhounds in socal has a big pile of it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2016 17:06:22 GMT -5
the Verde antique marble takes a good shine, all rockhounds in socal has a big pile of it. Without me nobody can be everybody. I don't have any! |
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by Dr DG on Sept 9, 2016 17:51:10 GMT -5
sorry, maybe you need to go out and collect somr
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2016 1:55:35 GMT -5
sorry, maybe you need to go out and collect somr When I have been there I spend my time working Jade. I have the yellow. |
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
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Post by Erich on Sept 10, 2016 8:08:03 GMT -5
Could someone maybe post a photo of their Butterstone jade cab or wrap?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2016 11:39:36 GMT -5
Google is a wonderful tool.  Not mine. |
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
Gone Fishing
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Post by Dr DG on Sept 10, 2016 12:36:57 GMT -5
look just like the marble in Victorville.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2016 13:21:14 GMT -5
look just like the marble in Victorville. And the Verde antique takes a better shine! |
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
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Post by Erich on Sept 11, 2016 9:43:28 GMT -5
Thanks Shotgunner, I had Googled it, but I was interested in seeing what folks on the forum had made.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2016 16:41:51 GMT -5
Thanks Shotgunner, I had Googled it, but I was interested in seeing what folks on the forum had made. Looks like plenty of butter Jade being cut. But all of it in China. In 5+ years of membership here I haven't seen a single cabochon of that material. In fact, I'm too new. Never even heard of it before. It also looks like it doesn't take a high polish. |
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likesrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2016
Posts: 8
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Post by likesrocks on Sept 12, 2016 16:02:09 GMT -5
It can take a high shine but.... you have to experiment with different polishes to get it just right. It is a very soft stone to start with, if you get lucky and get some material with extra silica in it, it will tale a shine like water. But it looks good with just a soft satin sheen. I cant post pics because I'm using a tablet and not sure how to do pics yet. If i can get the neighbor kids to help, i will post a few pics of some pendants I have worked up.
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Sept 14, 2016 12:52:40 GMT -5
Is this stuff Archaeon African cyanobacteria? I may have just landed a few small rough (I think slab may be too grandiose a word)...
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Sept 14, 2016 12:56:47 GMT -5
It can take a high shine but.... you have to experiment with different polishes to get it just right. It is a very soft stone to start with, if you get lucky and get some material with extra silica in it, it will tale a shine like water. But it looks good with just a soft satin sheen. I cant post pics because I'm using a tablet and not sure how to do pics yet. If i can get the neighbor kids to help, i will post a few pics of some pendants I have worked up. Would be good to see some pics... If you've done some experimentation it would be good to hear your findings - either what worked or what didn't so we can eliminate that and move on. Thanks |
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likesrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2016
Posts: 8
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Post by likesrocks on Sept 21, 2016 16:12:46 GMT -5
As i mentioned, I have finished two pendant sized pieces. Started with 120 diamond disc for shaping, honestly 220 would have been fine as well, (this stone is very soft) smoothed and pre-polished with 320, 600 wet belts, 1200 wet disc paper, then with 5000 diamond paste dry on canvas. I'm not sure where to go from here, as it shines well enough, but to be honest I think it looks better with a soft sheen than high polish. I don't think they will stay super shiny long if it is worn.
Interestingly enough, I was just at a rock show in Wisconsin this past weekend and a very friendly old timer that tumbles a lot suggested cerium oxide. He said a friend had great results with that polish on that stone. I have never used that polish before, So that's where I'm at now. I will post pictures soon, I am not as computer literate as some of you are, my receptionist said she can help with photos, so stay tuned!
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metalsmith
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Member since October 2012
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Post by metalsmith on Sept 22, 2016 11:52:17 GMT -5
As i mentioned, I have finished two pendant sized pieces. Started with 120 diamond disc for shaping, honestly 220 would have been fine as well, (this stone is very soft) smoothed and pre-polished with 320, 600 wet belts, 1200 wet disc paper, then with 5000 diamond paste dry on canvas. I'm not sure where to go from here, as it shines well enough, but to be honest I think it looks better with a soft sheen than high polish. I don't think they will stay super shiny long if it is worn. Interestingly enough, I was just at a rock show in Wisconsin this past weekend and a very friendly old timer that tumbles a lot suggested cerium oxide. He said a friend had great results with that polish on that stone. I have never used that polish before, So that's where I'm at now. I will post pictures soon, I am not as computer literate as some of you are, my receptionist said she can help with photos, so stay tuned! Great - thank you for the info. Looking forwards to the photos ... no hurry. I haven't received mine just yet. I think it may have been redirected to the post-office as I have to go out every now and again to work (every day) and wasn't in to sign for it. Again, no rush; it's not like I'm short of stuff to do. |
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