gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,800
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 21, 2014 17:52:34 GMT -5
[quote author="@shotgunner" Rick, I don't think anybody believes it is Jadeite nor even Nephrite. The language in everyday discussions has been "gemmy ferro-hornblende". I have some from @azrockgeek. Maybe we should send it to the dude Good Earth uses up in Seattle. I am happy to cut a piece for examination. [/quote] Guess I'll have to work on my mind-reading skills. I just re-read the thread from the beginning and didn't realize that when all the posters wrote "black jade" they were really writing "gemmy ferro-hornblende." Testing is always good if in doubt -- and I have doubts about many of the stones that are commonly called "jade." Did you keep that company's address? If not I can always ask goodearth. I have a few other things I'd like to test.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2014 18:07:20 GMT -5
gemfeller, It's in a thread here somewhere. dude is in seattle and does testing for like $9 or so. The new guy who posted gilamonster does indeed claim nephrite and a host of 'experts' to back up his claim. He realizes credibility is paramount! Have a look at gila monster's website
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gilamonster
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2014
Posts: 3
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Post by gilamonster on Nov 21, 2014 20:46:14 GMT -5
Material from the site was labeled as "nephrite" back in the early 80's. I can't say more than that b/c people could start connecting the dots and we would not take kindly to claim-jumpers. Anyway, a piece of historical knowledge I have makes me feel secure in going out on a limb that I'm dealing with nephrite. But, it won't be for sale until we have a consensus. Heck, it might not get sold at all as we're getting emotionally attached to the stuff.
So far, from three different specimens sent out for testing, we do not have final results back. One source is being cryptic, but as of a few days ago "now knows the chemical structure" and "is excited". They are throwing every test in the book at it. But, to be honest, they could all come back certifying it as petrified dog poop. It doesn't change the fact that there's been more than a few experts tell us this is awesomely forgivable stuff to work with and shines up black as a bear's nose. So, we'd like more feedback from people who know...
Anyone have contact info. to get a piece to Lithicbeads or GoodEarth?
One asked about the difference between these rocks and the Absolute Black. We obtained some slabs of Absolute Black and it's actually dang similar, except the Gila Monster Black is 7.0 - 7.5 hardness. The hornblende jade is 6.5.
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on Nov 22, 2014 0:38:15 GMT -5
I will PM Lithicbeads to see if he will contact you.(he is on another forum. BTW is it "impolite" on this forum to link to other forums?)
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2014 9:31:06 GMT -5
I will PM Lithicbeads to see if he will contact you.(he is on another forum. BTW is it "impolite" on this forum to link to other forums?) I don't think it would be a problem to link another forum if it brings knowledge that many of us are interested in. Besides that there are a lot of people on here that are also members of the other forum. I don't think it takes away from either forum and sharing knowledge is the name of the game here and it is the reason most of the members are members. Jim
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2014 20:19:14 GMT -5
One asked about the difference between these rocks and the Absolute Black. We obtained some slabs of Absolute Black and it's actually dang similar, except the Gila Monster Black is 7.0 - 7.5 hardness. The hornblende jade is 6.5. But nephrite is 6.5. If Gila Monster is indeed harder than 7 (quartz will NOT scratch it) then it's a dilemma. Have you tried a quartz scratch test? The Ferrohornblende stuff looks quite different than yours in form. I'll try to put a up pic of my hunk hounded by Tim. panamark - the known nephrite from Thunder Mtn mine has some fractured pieces. @wampidy will attest, he owns it!
PS - they are rocks, dont get too emotional!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2014 2:09:54 GMT -5
I was under the impression that the Thunder Mountain nephrite came from CA? Doesn't matter to me because it is some awesome stone so I am just wondering. I got some of it mixed up with some Washington black and now I am not sure which is which. Should have kept it marked. I can probably figure it out by piecing them all back together. duh BTW, I can get a mirror (slightly hazy) polish on it very easily at 8500. There is a little bit of metal or something else shiny in some of it too. Jeeze, I just remembered that I owe you a little money from that deal. I have pay pal money now so I will get that sent off. Sorry Scott.
The hardness and SG varies on the stuff I find here also because of the other things that are in it. The stuff that looks the most pure will tumble with agate and jasper with no problems and it gets an awesome shine. Jim
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 23, 2014 3:17:06 GMT -5
Actinolite like the Happy Camp "Jade" from CA is very similar to Nephrite from what I've been told. I have a chunk I have been using with intarsia and I like it better than basanite. If it polishes nicely I personally don't give a crap, but it will make a huge difference when it comes to pricing. I would try carving it if I got a sample, but someone like Kurt kk would be a much better judge.
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Post by kk on Nov 23, 2014 5:28:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the trust in me Lee, but I only got some Canadian black from what I'm told, and have not tried it yet (somehow I dont find the rough too appealing, even though the polished window looks great).
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Post by phil on May 27, 2015 13:55:32 GMT -5
Phil, I didn't know anybody knew about the prospect of black jade in Arizona. Maybe I can help you find "the good stuff" again. Contact me via: blackjade.rocks Hi Monster, Tried again to get to blackjade.rocks but it's password protected. Phil
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Post by phil on May 27, 2015 13:59:16 GMT -5
Another update, I heard from a lady who bought some jewelry with Arizona black jade in it. Pretty stuff! The seller told here it was from someone's claim just south of Prescott..... Anyone else learn anything? Anyone here from the Prescott Gem and Mineral club? Thx, Phil
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Post by campitossunriseminer on May 27, 2015 21:44:18 GMT -5
Hello! We found what we thought was black jade in Campitos, Mexico. My father (Adolfo Ruvalcaba) mined it there. I took it to Bob Downs at the University of Arizona and he did a test on it and told me it was just black quartz. A geology student at the university took it to some friends and he told me that it is what is called 'Arizona Jade', not real jade, but quartz. Some clients in Bisbee and Australia have polished the material. I just signed up for this forum, so I'm not sure how to post pictures yet, but if anyone is interested, I'll try and post a few!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on May 28, 2015 9:56:31 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum "campitossunriseminer" Yes do post photos of the black quartz... When posting photos,you have to have a host sight to post your photos in,like "Photobucket" or "Flickr".... Post away...Thumbs up
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 15:20:17 GMT -5
Hello! We found what we thought was black jade in Campitos, Mexico. My father (Adolfo Ruvalcaba) mined it there. I took it to Bob Downs at the University of Arizona and he did a test on it and told me it was just black quartz. A geology student at the university took it to some friends and he told me that it is what is called 'Arizona Jade', not real jade, but quartz. Some clients in Bisbee and Australia have polished the material. I just signed up for this forum, so I'm not sure how to post pictures yet, but if anyone is interested, I'll try and post a few! PosTing pics requires a remote host like Flickr, then just use become to insert the image here.
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Post by snowmom on May 28, 2015 16:09:47 GMT -5
whatever happened to gilamonster anyways,? I signed up for his updates on email and never heard a thing. ?
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Post by campitossunriseminer on May 28, 2015 20:52:49 GMT -5
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Post by campitossunriseminer on May 28, 2015 21:53:32 GMT -5
From gilamonster's website Hi sHoTgUnNeR, can you please post a link to gilamonster's website? It would be useful to see others' material and see how they price it! Thank you
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Post by campitossunriseminer on May 28, 2015 22:10:53 GMT -5
Nevermind, I found the link. It was password protected, though. I did see the picture. Hardness of our black quartz is 6.5 - 7, density is about 2.8. Bob Downs used a laser test in his lab to determine is quartz
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Post by snowmom on May 29, 2015 4:58:49 GMT -5
we have Michigan black jade here, it is actually basanite, super dense basalt with extra silica and iron. yours looks partially translucent. Very pretty cab out of that!
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Post by phil on May 29, 2015 13:00:55 GMT -5
Hey Snowmom! You selling any of that basanite? I slice it thin and use it to back cabs. I need all black, no white specs or anything... Thanks!
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