jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,281
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Post by jamesp on Feb 22, 2013 8:37:32 GMT -5
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2013 15:59:42 GMT -5
the colors of this stuff are as amazing in person as they are in these photos. I have some of his stuff and they are really bodacious.
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Post by gingerkid on Feb 22, 2013 20:30:57 GMT -5
Very nice colors! The coral looks like carnelian after it is heat treated. Wonder if any of it is carnelian? I have a piece of carnelian that has fossil coral in it from Oregon.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,281
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Post by jamesp on Feb 22, 2013 21:26:55 GMT -5
A lot of the coral i have been cooking turns shades of the color'coral'.It is puzzling that it has to be heated to get there.Thanks.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,690
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 22, 2013 22:22:51 GMT -5
Ok,I quit!!!! To much droolin' on my keyboard!!! awesome stuff James!
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Post by gingerkid on Feb 22, 2013 22:41:24 GMT -5
Fossildroolman strikes again. Just kiddin' with you, Fossilman!
The fossil coral with the carnelian rind that I won from rocks2dust's (Kevin) is from the Panama Canal, not Oregon. :blush:
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,281
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Post by jamesp on Feb 23, 2013 10:34:47 GMT -5
We find the drooling sensation amazing down here in Georgia Fossilman.I see the drooling constantly at my inlaws,but they are not looking at rocks....
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2013 16:17:14 GMT -5
I have been grinding on some of your coral and that is some hard s%%%. I was trying to grind it with 100 diamond and had to go to the 50 diamond to get anywhere. Still working on them. It is much easier to take a nap. Jim
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,281
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Post by jamesp on Feb 23, 2013 16:39:00 GMT -5
My theory is coral is hard before it silicified-must be really hard after silicification.Some times the silicate fills in the original grainy texture of the coral,and seems to bind the silica like gravel strengthens portland.The not grainy silicified coral chips shiny like glass with a gentle tap.The grainy ones are dangerous because they have to get hit so hard to reduce them into chips.The chips will get you.They all polish fine.Wore you out huh?
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bhiatt
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2012
Posts: 1,532
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Post by bhiatt on Feb 23, 2013 16:41:20 GMT -5
yes the coral is some hard sh?t and takes a nice shine that almost looks wet. I really like the ones ol jamesp picked out for me. They are being displayed with pride. Some very cool stuff.
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Post by helens on Feb 23, 2013 23:48:10 GMT -5
Corals are HARD... it's pretty unreal how hard they are relative to other agate and jasper. I've been putting off grinding any more because I'm afraid to damage my 100 grit diamond wheel.
But they take a shine like nothing else, including porcelain jaspers. Just amazing amazing rocks:).
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,281
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Post by jamesp on Feb 24, 2013 2:12:50 GMT -5
I have handed out a lot of coral not just to be generous(though i am)but for feedback.Most of it went out heat treated.It is a lot softer heated than not heated.And every single person except one that cabs has said it is hard(and understandably trying to avoid grinding it on their cab machines).I have to reduce it to smaller pieces before heating it,thin pieces do not fracture from the heating process and cook a lot quicker/cheaper.And it fights the hammer too.So i tumble it and do not care to cab it.And you can brutalize it in the tumbler by running it fast and hard. You are right about the shine Helen.After 7 days in 600 grit i clean and polish with AO,4 pounds of sugar and 3 cups plastic pellets in 15 pounds rock.In 4 hours,i have a decent polish on the edges and rounds!Still takes 5-6 days to get the valleys and flats.
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Post by helens on Feb 24, 2013 2:51:39 GMT -5
Well, I agree they are beautiful tumbled too, but they make spectacular cabs!! I've just not had as much time lately to cab, so I've been putting it off. I have a few pieces that I really want to get to however, so maybe soon:).
I don't have a regular tumbler, just a vibe... so I have to shape them on the wheel first before I can polish, since you start the vibe at 220, and that becomes 500 so fast, may as well say it's starting at the equivalent of 600. But I'll make some soon:).
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Post by helens on Feb 26, 2013 21:49:06 GMT -5
Wow... those are gorgeous JC! You did a fantastic shaping job!!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,281
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Post by jamesp on Feb 27, 2013 10:09:46 GMT -5
Those are real fine.I am into the lighter color.It is simple and not very busy.And the colors are unique.Please post more jc.There is not many coral cabs out there.And yours are always as good as it gets.
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