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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 17, 2012 10:11:56 GMT -5
So this estate sale I went to yesterday (separate post coming maybe) had about a metric ton of howelite, all different sized chunks. I didn't get any, and now I wish I did, of course. The one slab I have is sooooooo pretty, and it looks like it might take a nice shine.
They hold the sale periodically (there is a LOT of material), and next time I'll specifically get some howelite. But what I need are tips on what is a good piece. How do I know if I'm getting a nice solid one? One with nice spiderwebbies? One that's not goign to crumble to dust when I put it in the saw?
They all look like giant deformed cauliflowers to me, so any advice appreciated.
Somebody at the sale was saying the stuff is hard to get nowadays - any truth to that? I thought Tick Canyon (CA) was still open and actively hounded. I'm a little leery of going there, just because of its name though! And, going rockhounding for white rock sounds kind of boring. Huge hunks of Howelite at 75 cents a pound from the nice people at the estate sale sounds like a better bet if I can judge the quality of it.
Thanks!
Edited because I can't spell!
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Jun 17, 2012 10:35:55 GMT -5
I like the stuff that is spider webbed with black!
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 17, 2012 10:44:21 GMT -5
Howelite is a "You takes your chances" sort of material. Look for chunks that have a piece broken off. You should be able to tell from the broken surface if it's solid with good spiderweb.
Been many years since I was to tic canyon. I still have a few slabs and a chunk or two. Be gentle when you cab it. It has a tendency to break right along the spiderwebs.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 17, 2012 10:45:51 GMT -5
Cool, thanks Don.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 17, 2012 12:17:37 GMT -5
Forgot to tell you. Cut howlite with water. It soaks up oil like a sponge.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 17, 2012 12:42:24 GMT -5
As in, using up oil and costing money, or as in, ruining your howelite?
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 17, 2012 13:02:48 GMT -5
As in taking forever to get the oil out of the howlite. I made the mistake just one time. Took about a month in oil dry before oil quit seeping out of it.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 17, 2012 13:06:36 GMT -5
Ewww!
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Post by bobby1 on Jun 17, 2012 18:58:39 GMT -5
Soak your slabs or cabs in Tidee Bowl and they will turn into stuff that looks like turquiose. This is a trick that was common during the turquoise craze many years ago. Bob
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 17, 2012 19:13:42 GMT -5
But I like it white! lol. Actually, I might like it "turquoise" too. Hmm.
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Post by NatureNut on Jun 17, 2012 19:15:40 GMT -5
Soak your slabs or cabs in Tidee Bowl and they will turn into stuff that looks like turquiose. This is a trick that was common during the turquoise craze many years ago. Bob They're still trying to get away with it in Quartzsite. Jo
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 17, 2012 19:18:42 GMT -5
I don't care if it is dyed howelite, as long as they are upfront about the fact of it being dyed howelite and the price is accordingly low. I noticed most of the chinese ebay bead sellers are quite unashamed of it - "Dyed Howelite Turquoise color beads" seems to be a common description.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 17, 2012 20:05:34 GMT -5
Yep, I like the really solid cauliflower like nodules with strong black spider webbing. It is soft, mohs 3-3.5 or so, and can be a bit difficult to cab. Skip coarse grind wheel and start on 220. Jake is definitely correct. I screwed up and cut some in oil one time and like lepidolite, it discolors and turns an ugly brown. If cabbed, it does not work well in belt buckles or rings that get a lot of contact with solid objects as it breaks, scuffs, and dulls easily....Mel
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Post by paulshiroma on Jun 17, 2012 23:07:05 GMT -5
Tick Canyon proper (north side of Davenport Road) is closed but the south side, where the tailing pile was dumped is still open. We've been out a couple of times as it's an easy place to get to (http://forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=locations&action=display&thread=45883) and you can pick up a lot of borate specimens, including howlite. You have to dig a bit to get the full nodules as most of the material is fragments. You can also find some calcite, quartz, and low quality ulexite. The boys have had a good time there, getting dirty and picking up rocks.
I know $0.75 per pound is a pretty good price but the stuff's still available and, frankly, it's more fun to find (along with the other materials). Of course, I have boys who enjoy "finding things" so the adventure for me is simply in the adventure. As you say, it's a white rock.
Paul
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 17, 2012 23:19:41 GMT -5
Hm. I don't have a large water-based saw. Maybe I can get some sawn on shares. It's just so dang pretty. I'll have time to work with the one slab I have first and see if I like it before the next sale (I gather they roll out the rock about once every couple of months).
Thanks everybody for the advice!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2012 22:24:16 GMT -5
I dont know where in SoCal you are but I have a 10" water saw and would be happy to help out if you desire.
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Post by paulshiroma on Jun 18, 2012 23:47:35 GMT -5
Susan, if you want some small pieces to practice on let me know. I can send out a SFB of chunks to mess with. Paul
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 19, 2012 1:40:40 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I have lots and LOTS of old chunks to practice on, but thanks for the offer Paul. And shotgunner, I'm in Culver City . . . if I get too frustrated I'll hit you up for some demonstrations! ;-) I probably just have to try harder to not twist the rock. Or something. :/
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2012 15:46:46 GMT -5
culver city = far!
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