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Post by Starguy on Dec 20, 2019 16:21:56 GMT -5
This was an eBay find and considering the size of these crystals, I’m pretty tickled. They both look like they will cut star sapphire/corundum. The longer one is 3.59 pounds, yes pounds. The shorter is 3.13 pounds. I’ll grind on the shorter one to expose a star. The longer one is such a nice crystal I don’t know if I can bring myself to work on it. I think I struck gold on this buy. I have seen larger corundum crystals but only rarely in museums. They are pretty impressive to hold in your hand. Corundum’s specific gravity is around 4.5.   I have a pretty big hand for scale.  |
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,623 
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Post by RWA3006 on Dec 22, 2019 12:32:46 GMT -5
Those are amazing. Please show us what it looks like when you grind it. I'd love to see what the inside of it looks like.
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360 
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Post by lookatthat on Dec 22, 2019 13:02:41 GMT -5
Where are they from?
I recently bought a little Montana sapphire crystal and was struck by the weight of it. Heavy in hand for the size.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 22, 2019 16:45:49 GMT -5
Score!
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Post by Starguy on Dec 22, 2019 18:32:33 GMT -5
RWA3006 I’ll definitely post pictures. lookatthat they are heavy aren’t they? They were sent from China so I believe that’s where they’re from. They don’t look like Mysore India corundums. The shorter one is golden on the ends. The longer one is silvery on the ends. They both look “silky” which indicates to me they should star when domed. I have polished a lot of Montana corundum. They seem to show a lot of stars. The smaller Missouri River gravel sapphires from Montana are often facet grade.
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Post by MsAli on Dec 22, 2019 19:55:18 GMT -5
looking forward to seeing what you do with them
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Post by Starguy on Dec 22, 2019 20:48:09 GMT -5
lookatthat I went back to look at the purchase history. The seller states that they are from Madagascar.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 22, 2019 21:42:56 GMT -5
You sound so tickled to get those. Congrats! Can't wait to see what you do with them.
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Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
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Post by Gem'n I on Dec 23, 2019 13:32:19 GMT -5
Wow are you going to cut then polish or what will your plan of attack for those beasts???
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2019 13:36:29 GMT -5
Look like paleo-age tools. The big one is certainly a nice shape for corundum, and I also would save it as a specimen. Will be interesting if you get stars from the smaller piece.
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360
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Post by lookatthat on Dec 24, 2019 14:39:05 GMT -5
They are certainly impressive.
So many cool/weird things come out of Madagascar.
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Post by drocknut on Dec 24, 2019 15:40:50 GMT -5
Very cool
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