Synthetic Peacock Opal ...

BearCreekLapidary
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Member since May 2004
Posts: 1,232

Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 15, 2005 23:05:36 GMT -5

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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Jan 15, 2005 23:05:36 GMT -5

Hi everyone,

I actually had some time to spend ... so I am finally getting caught up with the board.

I have been quite busy and I thought I would send a couple of photo's of some stones I have cut lately.

My vibe is currently having the morot re-wound and over hauled, it was cheaper for me to have it rebuilt than to buy a new one. New was 83.00 and re-wound/rebuilt was 45.00 ... so, to save a buck or two I decided to have the motor rebuilt.

This is some Synthetic Peacock Opal. I really like the blue and green bars in this material. I cut these two stones for a jeweler in Texas.

This is more of the same material - what do you think of this material? I will be cutting more stones for the jeweler in Texas, so I'll get other photo's posted as soon as I get them done.

This is some Crazy Lace Agate I recently acquired and the coloration is absolutely spectacular. From clear, white, gray, pink, orange and reds ... this material is something else! Old Crazy Lace Agate with the intricate patterns and vivid colors!!!

You know that I have a passion for Laguna Agate and this material is some of the best I have found in a long time! The vivid reds and the spectacular parallax within this stone make it something else to look at. Just slightly move the cab and there is a three dimensional shadow effect that surrounds the entire stone.

Well, I hope you enjoy the photo's!

John

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

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

Member since August 2004
Posts: 14,072

Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 15, 2005 23:15:00 GMT -5

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Post by Cher on Jan 15, 2005 23:15:00 GMT -5

WOW that stuff is gorgeous!! And so is the Laguna Agate. I really need to get some of that! Mexican Lace is always stunning to look at. I just finally got some of that and put a few pieces in the tumbler tonight. Those are all beautiful John, I really need a bib to look at these pics.

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

rockyraccoon no longer being taken for granite Member since December 2003 Posts: 7,980	Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 16, 2005 0:03:57 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rockyraccoon on Jan 16, 2005 0:03:57 GMT -5 now when you say synthetic you mean man-made? can you explain to me in itty-bitty simple terms how it's made? that is amazing and you did a great job on them all john. kim

bwalters has rocks in the head Member since March 2004 Posts: 557	Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 16, 2005 0:16:01 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bwalters on Jan 16, 2005 0:16:01 GMT -5 Love them all, John! They're all beautiful but that Peacock Opal is breathtaking! Thanks for the pics! BE
	It's what's inside that counts! (From the beautiful Texas Hill Country!)

stoner no longer being taken for granite THE EARTH IS JUST A ROCK TUMBLING THROUGH SPACE Member since March 2003 Posts: 7,715	Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 16, 2005 2:05:02 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stoner on Jan 16, 2005 2:05:02 GMT -5 I'm curious about the synthetic opal too. What is it made from and how? Nice mex lace too, I'm really starting to like that stuff. Ed

Banjocreek fully equipped rock polisher Member since March 2003 Posts: 1,115	Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 16, 2005 2:32:18 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Banjocreek on Jan 16, 2005 2:32:18 GMT -5 That is some great stuff. I'd love to stand over your shoulder for a day! Beautiful work. I'm amazed!
	Ecclesiastes 3.5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain

creativeminded still telling self it's just a hobby I am a crazy crafter. Member since January 2004 Posts: 4,524	Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 16, 2005 10:48:46 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by creativeminded on Jan 16, 2005 10:48:46 GMT -5 Love the synthetic opal that is beautiful. Tami
	Necessity is the mother of invention

BearCreekLapidary
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Member since May 2004
Posts: 1,232

Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 16, 2005 13:00:13 GMT -5

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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Jan 16, 2005 13:00:13 GMT -5

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words.

I am not too versed on the process of the synthetic opal. Lynn Cram was one of the first to really make any progress with the synthetic opal and the process has definitely got better through the years.

Gilson Opal is also a synthetic opal and some of that material rivals the finest Lightning Ridge Black Fire Opal that I have seen. Beautiful stuff!!!

Synthetic opal is a man-made product. I wish I knew how they made the stuff, as I would fdefinitely try my hand at it. My wife would shoot me though ... I can hear her now ..."you are into lapidary and we have 7 tons of rough outside, in the house

, the car

, the basement

, the livingroom

and God only knows where else you have it stashed away

... and now you want to create your own opals

... OH CR_P!!!". Or something to that effect ;D

If I cut opals for the jewelry that I have wire wrapped ... I only use natural opals. Most people who find out that a stone is man-made generally tend to leave it on the table and walk away.

Sorry, I can't help you with the technical or non-technical aspects of creating the synthetic opal. I was told that the chunk that I cut into slabs came from Rio Grande (the jewelry supply company). So, if you are looking for some of this material, give them a call, get a catalog and check it out. It comes in four different colors, I am told.

Thnaks again and have a great week,

John

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

James freely admits to licking rocks Member since October 2003 Posts: 876	Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 16, 2005 15:15:33 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by James on Jan 16, 2005 15:15:33 GMT -5 You are the man! Those cabs are spectacular. You are a true craftsman!!!
	What is life, without rocks?

krazydiamond Global Moderator Nobody knows where you are, how near or how far. Member since June 2004 Posts: 9,636	Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 16, 2005 16:35:19 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by krazydiamond on Jan 16, 2005 16:35:19 GMT -5 wow great stuff, Bear! where did you get your mex lace? KD
	Come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine!

BearCreekLapidary
In Memoriam

Member since May 2004
Posts: 1,232

Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 16, 2005 19:42:27 GMT -5

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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Jan 16, 2005 19:42:27 GMT -5

Hi again,

KD - I got this material from Egger's Lapidary in Wichita, Kansas. They are still open and phone orders are 60% off of the listed regular price.

Ebersole's Lapidary
1-877-323-7765
Regular price is listed at 2.50 per pound ... so at 60% off, it should be 1.00 a pound.

Enjoy,

John

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

connrock still telling self it's just a hobby Ranger,,,My little buddy Member since July 2004 Posts: 4,374	Synthetic Peacock Opal ... Jan 17, 2005 14:18:44 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by connrock on Jan 17, 2005 14:18:44 GMT -5 Your work is just fantastic John!! I'm very happy that you share it with all of us!! Thanks,,,,,,, Tom Ps:i keep falling behind here too,,,,,,,LOL
	Beacon Falls,CT