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Post by stoner on Mar 6, 2004 18:22:07 GMT -5
Hi all. I just checked my tumbler that's been running about 5 days now in stage one loaded with ruby's, amethyst, blue tiger eye, and a few misc. agates, and the amethyst are wearing down a little faster than everything else. But the problem is, the brown stuff I thought was only crusted on the outside of the rough amethyst seems to be present all through the stone. Did I get a low quality amethyst or is this what they're all like?
later, Ed
By the way, the blue tiger's eye is really looking good and the ruby/sapphires are starting to show some promise.
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Post by puppie96 on Mar 7, 2004 0:45:19 GMT -5
I am also a novice at this, but I have also had a bunch of amethyst that was sort of encrusted inside of the brown matrix--pieces of it are often like parts of geodes with crystals growing on one side -- the thing is, I've been finding that the matrix, once ground down, is often really pretty and adds to the stones. Sometimes there are really pretty fine layers of white, orange, pink, etc., that form patterns, sometimes there are clearly recognizable pieces of leaves inside as inclusions. I've had other pieces that are completely clear. Often the pieces break apart and small clear crystals form while the brown stuff grinds away, I guess. I hope this was helpful.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Mar 7, 2004 16:12:57 GMT -5
Quite a bit of the amethyst from Thunder Bay, Ontario, has a brown or reddish layer on the surfaces of the crystals due to increased iron content in the solution at the end of crystal growth. Not usually brown throughout though, often the interior is lovely purple, lots of white banding is also common. Dunno if this is what you've got, just my experience. You're definitely looking for purple though, if the stuff stays brown all the way through polish, don't buy from that supplier again.
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thewiz
has rocks in the head
"What good is money if you don't spend it"
Member since January 2004
Posts: 735
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Post by thewiz on Mar 7, 2004 20:09:01 GMT -5
my tiger eye[golden and blue] has been in 69/90 for one day and i can't beleive how nice it looks already. is ours smoothing out fast also
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Post by stoner on Mar 8, 2004 2:06:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. Like everything else with this hobby, live and learn as you go is the best way to find things out. Puppie, you say the matrix will also take a shine? If I keep grinding them to get rid of the matrix, there won't be much left, so I'll go ahead with step 2 and see what happens. Hey wiz, the tiger eye is smoothing out really nice. A lot of the pieces have small crevices and pits, but I think I'll use my dremel and diamond burrs to smooth the rough spots. But they look like they're gonna be awesome when polished.
thanks again, Ed
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Post by puppie96 on Mar 8, 2004 3:04:15 GMT -5
If your stone is like mine, it would take a shine! What I'm talking about involves the amethyst sort of formed around a matrix, and the matrix itself is some other quartzy rock, some of it looks like agate with really pretty banding. Other areas are the dull brown, or there will be a layer of the dull brown on one side and normal amethyst through the rest. I love the inclusions of pieces of leaves. Never knew amethyst could have those. If you've got what I've got, once you have a good smooth surface, the amethyst/matrix/whatever will all polish beautifully, and you sometimes get these really cool amethyst/included with whatever this is. Depends on your taste, I'm sure, but I think these are sometimes really beautiful.
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Post by stoner on Mar 8, 2004 15:20:23 GMT -5
Hi all. Thanks again puppie. I took the plunge and they are well on their way into step 2. I'll let you know how they do.
later, Ed
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bcc
no posts
Member since March 2004
Posts: 0
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Post by bcc on Mar 8, 2004 17:24:53 GMT -5
I have a question. Is it common to find large amethyst? I have a piece that is about 10 inches long and about 3 1/2 inches wide with the crystal formation at the end. Very deep purple also. I wonder if it could be sent off to be facited?
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Post by creativeminded on Mar 9, 2004 15:23:31 GMT -5
If it is clear with no cracks then yes it can be faceted. I got some free garnets that very tiny from the company that I sent some Sapphire, garnets and amethyst off to be faceted.
Tami
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