jasperfanatic
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 463
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Post by jasperfanatic on Jun 25, 2019 22:32:25 GMT -5
I've been completely lost in this stuff for months now. Haven't had a ton of free time to play with rocks recently, but took a little bit of time tonight to try and figure out if I could get a picture of this stuff. I thought the other obsidian was tough to capture in a picture, this stuff really needs video clips to do it justice. I was still able to capture a few winks though.  IMG_1450 by Kevin, on Flickr  IMG_1454 by Kevin, on Flickr |
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Post by aDave on Jun 25, 2019 22:33:45 GMT -5
What is it? It's gorgeous.
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jasperfanatic
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 463
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Post by jasperfanatic on Jun 25, 2019 22:37:02 GMT -5
Fire obsidian/magnetite.
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Post by aDave on Jun 25, 2019 22:38:06 GMT -5
Can't say I've ever seen it before. It's a great piece. |
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jasperfanatic
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 463
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Post by jasperfanatic on Jun 25, 2019 22:40:16 GMT -5
Got it from Emory Coons, one of the claim owners for it out at Glass Buttes. It's completely mesmerizing.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jun 25, 2019 22:55:49 GMT -5
OMG! You totally nailed that. Vince has been playing with a piece, but hasn't gotten all the way down to the fire layer yet.
Any tips on how to cut it?
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jasperfanatic
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 463
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Post by jasperfanatic on Jun 25, 2019 23:10:31 GMT -5
Super low dome, it's almost imperceptible. Every one is so different, but most you need to get super close to the magnetite layer to get the color to flash the most. I've had a couple that were actually awesome with a thicker layer of glass on top, with a real dome, but they've been the exception. They seem to offer a good view of depth so you can see when you get close, and if there's a bubble/ash or some other artifact, they'll throw a little shadow that can help, but there have been times I've clenched my teeth because it felt super close  It seems you will see the edges of the fire retreat inward if you're getting too close, so watch for that. Also, when you're almost done the layer looks cloudy white and the thicker areas are a bit darker with the added depth, which shows you where you can take things down a bit more - if you dare  Hope that helps, I'm still trying to learn myself. |
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Post by christopherl1234 on Jun 26, 2019 0:49:18 GMT -5
This could easily become another obsession for me
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Kai
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2018
Posts: 331
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Post by Kai on Jun 26, 2019 4:30:16 GMT -5
WOW, it looks amazing!  |
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Post by fernwood on Jun 26, 2019 5:07:50 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing. It is beautiful.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jun 26, 2019 7:43:26 GMT -5
Super low dome, it's almost imperceptible. Every one is so different, but most you need to get super close to the magnetite layer to get the color to flash the most. I've had a couple that were actually awesome with a thicker layer of glass on top, with a real dome, but they've been the exception. They seem to offer a good view of depth so you can see when you get close, and if there's a bubble/ash or some other artifact, they'll throw a little shadow that can help, but there have been times I've clenched my teeth because it felt super close It seems you will see the edges of the fire retreat inward if you're getting too close, so watch for that. Also, when you're almost done the layer looks cloudy white and the thicker areas are a bit darker with the added depth, which shows you where you can take things down a bit more - if you dare  Hope that helps, I'm still trying to learn myself. Thank you! That actually helps a lot. This stuff is even more difficult than cutting black opal. |
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jasperfanatic
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 463
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Post by jasperfanatic on Jun 26, 2019 9:48:22 GMT -5
Thank you! That actually helps a lot. This stuff is even more difficult than cutting black opal. Those fire layers sure make it interesting, they don't want to travel straight and level. Hard to tell from the pictures, but the layer on this stone dips down toward the tip which is why it isn't flashing, it dipped just out of the angle of the light. The rough is the most challenging part for me, some of those fire layers swirl around, or fold back on themselves, or just plain stop and disappear part way in to the rock. Plus, there's often multiple layers of color, making it hard to decide which one to go after because they're all so beautiful. Each one is so delightfully unique! The exploration/discovery is my favorite thing about this hobby, and this stuff is all about that - I just love it! You might want to reach out to Emory Coons for more information, you can find him on Facebook pretty easily. I had the opportunity to hang out with him for a couple of days last month and tried to soak up as much knowledge as I could. Great guy and super generous with his time and knowledge. |
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Post by miket on Jun 26, 2019 10:17:25 GMT -5
Never seen that before, so cool!
Amazing.
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Post by Rockindad on Jun 26, 2019 13:54:36 GMT -5
That has to be one of the coolest things I've seen here, and that is saying a lot!
Al
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jun 26, 2019 22:52:35 GMT -5
Heh. Yeah, layers not running straight. What we might call "wavy bars" in a piece of opal.
The piece of Fire Obsidian I started working has that problem. Luckily it's big enough to chunk up into preforms that will be easier to finish.
Good tip about working the edges down until you can see "how far is too far". That'll help anyone who wants to try some opal too. |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,064 
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Post by gemfeller on Jun 27, 2019 9:23:44 GMT -5
It sounds a lot like cutting fire agate. I imagine FA's greater hardness makes it a little easier to avoid undercutting. Looks like it's fun to cut.
ETA: I should have said "overcutting." Though when one gets down to the fire layers it often becomes a game of chicken to see how far you dare sand.
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It seems you will see the edges of the fire retreat inward if you're getting too close, so watch for that. Also, when you're almost done the layer looks cloudy white and the thicker areas are a bit darker with the added depth, which shows you where you can take things down a bit more - if you dare 
