sophia13
spending too much on rocks
RIP Jason Strickland, AKA sophia13
Member since March 2018
Posts: 327
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Post by sophia13 on Aug 8, 2018 17:09:47 GMT -5
Hello all, I'm starting a rock shop for my daughter and hopefully a couple other folks with special needs(in time) to learn job and life skills while they earn a little spending cash. I want them to feel like the valuable folks they are . I have a timeline and plan to get up and running. Have equipment like trim saws and grinders etc...Have been stocking up on rough and slabs but that can get pricey online. Went to William Holland School and learned the basics of cabbing. Would love to learn gem trees so I can teach them. Finally my question is what are your favorite, inexpensive types of rough that I can obtain fairly easily for cabbing that make nice cabs. Slabs or easy cutting rough would be great as I'm still learning the art of slabbing rough. Thank you for taking time to read this. It is very important to me. ....any other suggestions for success are welcome.
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Post by MsAli on Aug 8, 2018 17:26:37 GMT -5
What area are you in?
Road trips for them to self collect, cut, cab and or tumble might be an option
Also, keep an eye on here for people selling.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Aug 8, 2018 17:58:47 GMT -5
Brazilian agate Montana agate carnelian agate fancy jasper/bloodstone india green moss agate crazy lace agate
all make nice stones and are fairly easy to obtain at good prices for the most part.
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sophia13
spending too much on rocks
RIP Jason Strickland, AKA sophia13
Member since March 2018
Posts: 327
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Post by sophia13 on Aug 8, 2018 18:17:03 GMT -5
Savannah,GA area. Not as cool as out west.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Aug 8, 2018 18:41:43 GMT -5
A lot of online vendors cut the price down when ya buy in bulk . The more ya buy the less ya pay , per pound that is . I just saved a buck 20 a pound on baby brazillians by getting more than a few pounds . Kingsley North is where I got them .
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Post by MsAli on Aug 8, 2018 19:02:43 GMT -5
Savannah,GA area. Not as cool as out west. Out west is so not cool I'd rather be back in Mn hunting. Did you check with the local rock clubs to see if they have good spots to collect or maybe even have stock you can buy? Also Kinsley North gives good discounts on bulk and if you create an account at The Gem Shop they give a discount as well.
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goatgrinder
spending too much on rocks
Make mine a man cave
Member since January 2017
Posts: 368
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Post by goatgrinder on Aug 8, 2018 19:12:36 GMT -5
You must go to a meeting of your local rock club and introduce yourself. All clubs welcome visitors and rock hounds. Try this: Savannah Lapidary Club - Home | Facebook www.facebook.com/savannahlapidaryclub/Savannah Lapidary Club. 128 likes. The Savannah Lapidary Club meets monthly on the 2nd Thursday at 6:30 pm in the Sandfly community of Savannah.
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sophia13
spending too much on rocks
RIP Jason Strickland, AKA sophia13
Member since March 2018
Posts: 327
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Post by sophia13 on Aug 8, 2018 19:16:58 GMT -5
Rock club in Savannah not very active it seems. I tried messaging. Maybe summer is a bad time. Also, rock shops lacking in the area. It'll be cool. Just gotta make it work. I move to Savannah in a couple weeks. Will set up my shop and go from there. I know folks on here from time to time post great deals. May just focus on those. Everyone here is very fair and cool. Have bought several things already from RTH members.
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Post by Pat on Aug 8, 2018 19:24:48 GMT -5
When you know what you want and need, let us know.
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 8, 2018 20:09:22 GMT -5
I personally like the copper ores the best. Wide range of colors and patterns.
A lot of jaspers are cheap, less than $3/lb and a pound makes quite a few cabs.
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 557
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Post by vwfence on Aug 8, 2018 20:11:09 GMT -5
what type of rock from Arizona and Southern Calif might interest you
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Post by catmandewe on Aug 8, 2018 20:51:40 GMT -5
I can fill you up a box or two or three out of the rockpile for a buck a pound, lots of the stuff in there I dont know what it is but theres lots of cool stuff in there.
Tony
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 8, 2018 20:58:28 GMT -5
Forgot to mention selenite crystals make really interesting cabs as well. Not the satin spar that so many people mislabel as selenite but rather actual selenite. I have cabbed some red selenite and some that has a slight golden hue.
It is soft so start with the soft wheels or lightly on the second metal wheel. Lightly round off edges as you go so the wheels do not catch the edges and split the stone. When shaped buff with some Zam on a buffing wheel. You can see through the stones, many of which have cool mud inclusions and some also produce a rainbow effect in the stones.
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Post by stardiamond on Aug 8, 2018 22:54:00 GMT -5
The nicest lapidary material is expensive. Self collected material is the best deal. To get any value for cabs they need tp be interesting and the material is more expensive. Less interesting material is very affordable and good to learn on. Montana is affordable. I don't cut much moss. I don't know don't know what it sells for and it makes beautiful cabs. Pet wood is very abundant and makes nice cabs.
The best place to get cabbing material is here. I'm very particular what I buy and what I see on ebay and etsy is either not very interesting or too pricey for me. Other than practice cabs, I don't want to cut something unless I thought it would sell for a good price. I don't sell but that's my mind set.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 9, 2018 7:56:50 GMT -5
I applaud you, sir! What a very cool thing you are doing. I think you have to ask yourself, how capable are the people you plan to teach? For instance, soft stones take a little more finesse and can be less forgiving, but the hard agates can be demanding as far a strength and patience and cost more. Jaspers are good and hard, forgiving and can be had cheaper. Chert is cheap and so is flint- but they both cab well and you can find nice colors. If you give me a few weeks, I can put together a sfrb of preforms together for you. Free. Some will be nice and some just so-so- but they are all prefroms cut from templates. Plenty to practice with and plenty for sale. I'll PM when I am ready. Don't be afraid to remind me if I forget. Anyone else want to donate for a good cause? Post a thread in the buy section and ask for any saw scraps (explain why)- they will be good for practice, but sometimes great cabs can be had from scraps. We have some great people here who usually step up for a good cause.
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 9, 2018 8:31:00 GMT -5
I have a lot of stuff laying around I can send as well. Let me know when you get set up and ready to go and I can put a package together for you to get started.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,217
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Post by RWA3006 on Aug 9, 2018 8:41:37 GMT -5
PM me your address and I'll send you a variety pack of rough from Utah, Wyoming, Nevada. If there's anything you want more of we can work a deal. I sell a lot of rough for $2 per pound. I have lots of coprolite, agate, jasper, jade, pet wood, obsidian.
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Post by MsAli on Aug 9, 2018 9:31:10 GMT -5
I will also send a box. PM me you address when you get settled
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 9, 2018 14:18:58 GMT -5
How big is your saw? I probably have some rocks to pass along, too.
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Post by fernwood on Aug 9, 2018 14:48:51 GMT -5
As a life long professional working with those who have challenges, count me in. I love your plans. Agree with what Tela said. Please consider the skills and attention span of those you will be teaching.
Maybe everyone who plans on donating could share with each other their preliminary selections. That way we can adapt our initial choices to provide more variety.
Please PM me if you have any questions on setting up the business, training plans, etc. Love this.
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