What do you think ?

BearCreekLapidary
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Member since May 2004
Posts: 1,232

What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 11:21:36 GMT -5

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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Nov 30, 2004 11:21:36 GMT -5

Hello everyone,

Well, I am starting to get caught up and I have even had the opportunity to do some trading as well.

I met a gentleman in his mid 60's that no longer does any lapidary and he had some equipment that he wanted to sell/trade.

I told him of some of my better Fire Opal and Iris Agate necklaces and he decided that he wanted to trade. So, I agreen to meet him at his home some 120 miles away and we agreed that everyone was happy with the trade ... so, this is what we done.

I offered choices of three of my best Fire Opal Necklaces and my Finest Iris Agate necklace. He chose the most expensive Fire Opal (of course) and the Iris Agate necklace.

The Iris Agate necklace was a beauty and I named it "Our Fathers Book", below is a photo of the necklace.

It had a very vibrant display of colors and it appeared to be an opened book, hence the name. The stone in this necklace appraised at 100.00 and I traded it for the full appraisal value.

Now for the opal, this is a 9.85 carats Coober Pedy Fire Opal and the photo's in no way shape or form can match the color that this opal displayed ... but the photo's will give you an idea.

This Opal has been appraised at 1,486.00 and I traded it for 600.00 in value.

What did I trade for:

This is a Lortone Unit set up with 3" x 8" rubber expanding drums. It came with extra sanding belts and a polishing pad on the end of the arbor.

This is a Lortone Spartan Unit and it is set up with two grinding wheels. They are supposed to be 100 grit and 220 grit (although I have not verified them as of yet).

This is a Beacon Star 10" Lapidary Saw with an Auto-Feed Mechanism with the automatic shut off switch. There is a brand new blade on this unit and a plastic cover to keep the oil where it is supposed to be.

The motors all work fine and it appears that everything has been very well taken care of.

The gentleman made a comment that he thought he was getting shorted on the deal ... and then laughed at what he had said. At this point I was about half hot around the collar and I told him that was fine and I started to put the lapidary equipment back on his porch. He told me that he was joking and that he would go ahead and make the trade ... although his attitude had changed from when I first met the man.

After driving 120 miles (one way - 4.75 hours round trip) and trading one of the finest Fire Opals I have had in many, many years ... well, his comment did not set too well with me.

I offered to cancel the whole deal ... but he persisted that he was just making conversation

So, what do you think?

Enjoy,

John

I have seen paintings in the sky, created by the hands of GOD.

Cher
In Memoriam

Tumbling is addictive - Resistance is futile - You will be assimilated

Member since August 2004
Posts: 14,072

What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 12:36:36 GMT -5

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Post by Cher on Nov 30, 2004 12:36:36 GMT -5

WoW Looks like you got a lot of nice stuff there. Don't know what to say about the trade, guess I'd have to look around and find the value of the stuff you traded for first. I would tend to believe that the old gentleman was really only joking when he said that. Perhaps he was having a bit of remorse over letting all his lapidary equipment go ... you know, like the end of an era thing. I know I would feel terrible if I were at a point where I had to give all of my stuff up.

Cher

The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone
said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm
just not close enough to get the job done.
George Carlin

Toad
misunderstood rock expert

Only rocks understand me.

Member since September 2004
Posts: 12,798

What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 12:43:51 GMT -5

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Post by Toad on Nov 30, 2004 12:43:51 GMT -5

I'm assuming that you made the necklaces that were traded. So then I guess the value of the trade could be determined by how much you paid for everything that went into the necklaces plus how much you pay yourself in labor vs. the market value of the machines.

Knowing absolutely nothing of the above, I think you got a good deal. :-)

Convinced myself, I seek not to convince.

Cher
In Memoriam

Tumbling is addictive - Resistance is futile - You will be assimilated

Member since August 2004
Posts: 14,072

What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 13:07:45 GMT -5

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Post by Cher on Nov 30, 2004 13:07:45 GMT -5

Oh yeah, meant to ask you about those pendants. Did you do the wire-wrapping yourself? It's gorgeous and I was wondering what the gauge was of the wire used to do the wrapping. I don't suppose by any remote chance you took pics of the back of the pendant?

Cher

The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone
said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm
just not close enough to get the job done.
George Carlin

sandsman1 In Memoriam RIP John "sandsman1" Member since December 2003 Posts: 11,341	What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 13:07:52 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by sandsman1 on Nov 30, 2004 13:07:52 GMT -5 looks like a fair trade to me you made the stones worth what they are and he would have had to pay that if not more anywhere else so i think you both got a deal-and i call that a fair trade
	GOT TO KEEP THE LOONEYS ONNNN THE PATH john-- NOMAD--- U.S.A. -- IN GOD WE TRUST

cookie3rocks
has started giving rock gifts

Mother Nature is a grand old gal!

Member since April 2004
Posts: 3,059

What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 18:32:55 GMT -5

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Post by cookie3rocks on Nov 30, 2004 18:32:55 GMT -5

Yeah, I think parting with his beloved equipment was tough. If it were a women, she may have seen it differently, considering the jewlery aspect. You both got a good deal, he just can't "play" with the necklaces like you can play with your new toys, and you gave up you treasured babies. You both (probably) had a little traders remorse, he just let it slip out orally. Were you secretly thinking the same thing

Go play withYour new stuff and make something pretty, you'll feel better ;D

cookie

If you hit the speed bumbs really fast, you hardly feel them at all.

krazydiamond
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Nobody knows where you are, how near or how far.

Member since June 2004
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What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 19:01:57 GMT -5

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Post by krazydiamond on Nov 30, 2004 19:01:57 GMT -5

actually, i think the old timer got the better of the deal, he was going to be shed of his equipment sooner or later, he was done with it....not many people out there (excluding the few people like us) would have use for such tools....so where was he going with it? i reckon he was a bit too old to fuss with eBay to get a price for it?

besides, those are fine unique pieces you yourself think are some your best creations.....

how did you feel about the trade....fair? it's all in the gut.

KD

Come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine!

connrock
still telling self it's just a hobby

Ranger,,,My little buddy

Member since July 2004
Posts: 4,374

What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 19:08:53 GMT -5

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Post by connrock on Nov 30, 2004 19:08:53 GMT -5

Well John I think you did pretty darn good considering the cost of lapidary equipment today!!

I know how hard it is to part with something you've made yourself and you may be second guessing yourself for a time thinking "Oh those stones were so beautiful".

But on the other hand you can make a lot more on the new equipment!!

Congratulations on a great deal!!

Tom

Beacon Falls,CT

rockyraccoon no longer being taken for granite Member since December 2003 Posts: 7,980	What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 22:10:17 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rockyraccoon on Nov 30, 2004 22:10:17 GMT -5 i would have no idea about the worth of used equipment - totally out of my league but those necklaces are to die for! kim

docone31
still telling self it's just a hobby

Member since June 2003
Posts: 4,476

What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 22:27:43 GMT -5

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Post by docone31 on Nov 30, 2004 22:27:43 GMT -5

John, I think you balanced out. I personally would have thought I did ok. I got hit by an old fart lapidariast once. He sold me a bunch of stones, and rough. My wife was new at all this, and she pushed for the sale.
I knew I got hit. He kept calling me on the phone and wanted to sell more and more. As time went by, he stopped calling.
In the sale was a very large fire agate, and a chunk of stone.
This gentleman had been in business for a long time. The fire agate was about 30mm X 60mm. It was marked 15$ on the back.
I made a wire wrap bracelet and sold it for 250$ The woman who bought it had it appraised and insured for 2500$.
If I had been ignorant/newbie, I would have made a great deal on the stone. So theoritically I was ahead.
I also had the chunk of stone evaluated by GIA. It is Alexandrite, T1 in quality, 580cts with no fractures. Alexandrite is now worth $6000ct for a meet point facet. I felt better.
An unexpected by product. People keep coming by the shop with bags of emeralds, and rubies. They are giving it to me. I have 8 lbs of T2 or better, deep green emeralds, and gem grade rubies!
Have faith. He might have hit you, kinda, in the immediate. Let is all go and let the beauty come to you.
One of the emeralds I got is about 250cts, T1, and it is my wife's birthstone. It is a great six sided crystal and I designed a trillion cut for it and I should lose very little faceting.
Many things take many shapes. What can be done with those tools? Maybe that is the point. You had the privilege of making the pendant. It is beautiful. The opal is great. He got things, you got tools. Even if you had to rebuild them from scratch, they are still tools.
Give a man a fish, you feed him for a meal. Give a man the means to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
I bet there is a reason for it, and it will appear in time.
Be peaceful, you have tools. It about balances out.

In the beginning was the Floyd, and the Floyd was with Him, and He was with the Floyd. Syd Barret just disappeared, right after the happening. Lita Ford drives a suburban! Big Hair Heavy Metal is dead. Oh weeping and gnashing of teeth, the end is near. The answer is 42. 42! BING! BIG BING!
Follow the White Rabbit!

BearCreekLapidary
In Memoriam

Member since May 2004
Posts: 1,232

What do you think ? Nov 30, 2004 23:46:48 GMT -5

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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Nov 30, 2004 23:46:48 GMT -5

Hello everyone,

Personally, I believe we both got a great deal and I am sure that both of us are happy with the transaction ... it just seemed odd to me, that is all.

I never even thought of his sentimental attachment to the equipment ... Maybe I should have been more forgiving?

As for feeling bad about letting my jewelry go ... it never happens! Oh, don't get me wrong ... there are some pieces that I have wire wrapped for me, that definitely have a special spot in my heart/mind ... but when I know that it will be treasured for years to come ... I never feel bad or like I am losing anything ... it's more like I am in some small way giving to the happiness of another individual ... and that is priceless.

I met a lady in Garden City, Kansas the other day and I just had to go and ask her a question. It was kind of an odd moment ... I said "excuse me, I hate to be a bother, I have a question for you?" she replied "what's your question". I asked "where did you get that necklace?" and she replied "my parents got this for me as a birthday gift. It is the most beautiful gift I have ever received from them. You see it is a custom designed piece and there will never be another one like it - anywhere in the world ... why do you ask?" and I replied ... "because I made it, that is one of my first stones that I have had wire wrapped in that style of wire wrapping ... I am glad that you enjoy your necklace" then I thanked her for her time and we both went our seperate ways. Just seeing the light in her eyes as she described that necklace ... was worth more to me than what I sold it for. I guess that is why I never feel like I am losing anything when I let my stones go ... because I know that somewhere, someone will be enjoying it for years to come. What is even nicer than that is knowing that I made someone happy

.

Cher - No, I do not do the wrapping. I can cut a mean cab ... but when it comes to wire ... I will leave it to someone more experienced than myself. In time, I will learn this style of wire wrapping. Right now I am trying to keep my head above water with my cabs! If you would like photo's of the back of a pendant ... I still have a few left over and I can easily get some photo's for you.

Thanks for the comments. I believe we both done well

Thank you,

John

I have seen paintings in the sky, created by the hands of GOD.