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Au Contraire Mon Ami.Quote:
Originally Posted by RezDog
I started collecting rocks and minerals when I was probably 5 years old and have been all over the U.S and some other places rockhounding. I have a fairly large mineral collection probably 500 specimens and the microscopes and U.V lights and hammers and picks and chisels and you name it and I have it. I pretty much got out of it several years ago because I had increasing issues with my neck and back.
Looks like we have a candidate for sending our rock gardens to!
Whats your address thebigspendur.... I got a spoil pile with your name on it :D
Anytime I come up with something that you want a closer look at PM me. It's good to hear that you have not abandoned it, although I suppose once you get the bug even if you are not in the field physically your mind is still there.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
The big joke about rockhounds is when they walk they always look down never straight ahead which can cause certain health and safety issues.
Once it gets into your blood it's there forever. You would be surprised what I find locally just walking around.
I think one of the big differences is that you know what you find!Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
The first thing I learned in my first Geology course is never try and identify something unless you have a fresh surface. A weathered surface on a rock can look 360 degrees different than a fresh one. Also a true Geologist will never look at something in the hand and say "its....". He will say "well, it looks kind of like... .
Amen to that. I have my little quarry spot that I have been working trying to refine what vein or area produces "the" hone that I'm looking for. The issue that I am having in dialing in on it is that the outside of the rock is stained with tannin and calcium, leaving the rock looking very much the same. It would be nice if I had a water source way out there and could do some sample cutting. I am trying to mumble my way through it chipping a little here and there and getting a guess it comes with me or stays. So far I have not found myself able to pick very well. As time passes I will get this figured out.
I have a chunk of what I think is California Jade that i'm just waiting on SiC to lap it. Another piece is also jade like but much lighter in color, possibly of asian origin.
Also have some jaspers and stuff i'm trying to sort out. Only recently did I start looking at all my rocks and minerals with hones in mind. There is probably a ton and a half or more of material from when my parents got in to lapidary work.
Welcome :D
Sic is good for lapping if you have a good flat surface. If you want to work faster the cheap diamond plates you can pick up from hardware stores are fine for the rough sides of the stone.
There are a lot of cheap diamond plates available in the USA, I'm quite envious of your prices. There is a rather nice 12" long plate from Eze-lap that may suit your needs very well.
Eze-Lap Diamond Products — Woodworking / Shop / Machine Tool — Flat Diamond Stones
No such thing as California Jade. It's either the mineral jadeite which is true Jade or Nephrite which looks like Jade and is commonly found in the S.W of the U.S especially Wyoming and many call Jade. Jadeite is very hard like around 8 on the Mohs scale. Nephrite is softer.Quote:
Originally Posted by DireStraights