Autumn
starting to shine!
Member since July 2014
Posts: 47
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Post by Autumn on May 28, 2015 19:23:14 GMT -5
The vendor said these cabs are Zarbala Jasper. But someone pointed they could be Serpentine, and the yellow one looks like a bit of "yellow" Serpentine I have. I'll try to post a comparison pic this weekend.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on May 28, 2015 21:27:46 GMT -5
Hard to tell without scratching it. Serpentine is much softer than Mohs 7 or so jasper, more like mohs 4-5. Serpentine scratches easily with a common nail. There are nice green and black jasper types. One in particular from Arizona is real nice....Mel
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on May 29, 2015 9:32:10 GMT -5
Nope,can't tell by the photos--have to do the testing has Mel said!
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Autumn
starting to shine!
Member since July 2014
Posts: 47
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Post by Autumn on May 29, 2015 20:53:54 GMT -5
I did a "scratch test" whlie wrapping one. There's a minor surface scratch from the stainless steel wire, and I've had similar scratches on quartz-based stones. I can't scratch it with a finger nail. Now that I think about it, I scratched the tumbled Serpentine far easier than this cab. I'll post a pic when I can get the comparison loaded.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 29, 2015 21:06:31 GMT -5
Mel wasn't talking about scratching with a finger nail. A carpenters nail is what he meant. If you were able to scratch it with a finger nail, it would be talc or some other very soft mineral.
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Post by deb193redux on May 29, 2015 22:54:37 GMT -5
also serpentine is a scientific designation, and while jasper technically is too, zebra jasper is a trade name that I have seen refer to many things that were more like marble. I also have some "green chatoyant zebra jasper" that is surely serpentine.
there are a few true jaspers sold as "zebra" varities, but most would be more accurately called zebra stone.
I figure as long as it looks good ....
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on May 30, 2015 9:59:05 GMT -5
I'll make a call,say it is in the Jasper family.....See some of this stuff on the Pacific beaches here in Oregon..
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Autumn
starting to shine!
Member since July 2014
Posts: 47
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Post by Autumn on May 30, 2015 20:08:21 GMT -5
Here's the comparison and where I scrapped the cab. Two of the tumbled Serpentines I bought from a trusted vendor. I don't rememeber where I got the third (top) one, but I'm not convinced it's a Serpentine - it's far too glossy. Maybe an agate.
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