Californis chiastolite crystals for tumbling
Feb 7, 2017 16:19:49 GMT -5
Drummond Island Rocks, jamesp, and 2 more like this
Post by Sabre52 on Feb 7, 2017 16:19:49 GMT -5
Howdy Folks,
Nice warm weather here so I was out in the shop doing some cleaning. Found a box of chiastolite crystals from Whiterock Rd, Mariposa County, California. More than I'll ever use so I thought I'd see if there was any interest. This andalusite variety is found in only a few places worldwide. Most crystals are white with various black carbon crosses. Some have colors reversed. They break into little angular log sections when they weather out and the average size of these is maybe 1/4-1/2 inch across the faces. Length of sections is about the same. Japanese tour buses used to go to the site to collect as they are supposed to bring good luck. Some folks polish the sections on wheels to make cross/religious looking jewelry. Looks interesting set in a silver ring. Moderately soft crystal so it will usually only take a satin finish, bit better on wheels than in the tumbler. Tin Oxide is the best polish to use. If anyone wants some, I can do a three pound lot in a small flat rate carton for $25 delivered in US. Just drop me a PM if interested. Probably have enough for at east three or four boxes.....Mel
Couple pics of rough and a lot of the smaller tumbles.
Rough wet:
Nice warm weather here so I was out in the shop doing some cleaning. Found a box of chiastolite crystals from Whiterock Rd, Mariposa County, California. More than I'll ever use so I thought I'd see if there was any interest. This andalusite variety is found in only a few places worldwide. Most crystals are white with various black carbon crosses. Some have colors reversed. They break into little angular log sections when they weather out and the average size of these is maybe 1/4-1/2 inch across the faces. Length of sections is about the same. Japanese tour buses used to go to the site to collect as they are supposed to bring good luck. Some folks polish the sections on wheels to make cross/religious looking jewelry. Looks interesting set in a silver ring. Moderately soft crystal so it will usually only take a satin finish, bit better on wheels than in the tumbler. Tin Oxide is the best polish to use. If anyone wants some, I can do a three pound lot in a small flat rate carton for $25 delivered in US. Just drop me a PM if interested. Probably have enough for at east three or four boxes.....Mel
Couple pics of rough and a lot of the smaller tumbles.
Rough wet:
