Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,741
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Post by Mark K on Aug 25, 2023 22:39:19 GMT -5
I knew a guy who had about 15 tons of the stuff so I bought a little bit from him. I should have bought more when I was able. I assume he is dead by now. (I googled him. He died in 2020.)
I occasionally look at a chunk of it and try to figure out how to cut it. I seem to remember that it is important to cut it in the correct direction.
Anyone have any experience cutting it?
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 25, 2023 23:07:18 GMT -5
Wish I could help you, Mark, but I have no clue. I have a box of it here, too. Vince slabbed some of it up, but I'll be damned if I can remember if there was anything special he did.
I would maybe look for any chatoyancy on the rough when wet first. Cut with the chatoyancy if you see it, not against it. The direction of chatoyancy doesn't change in Binghamite like it does in Labradorite.
Hope someone else remembers the correct way to do it.
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 26, 2023 9:12:17 GMT -5
I had to look it up, I think I have some from a friend from Minnesota, but haven't messed with it. Sounds like it has cats eye like tigereye, but the fossilized fibers that create the effect are something other than asbestos. Goethite? When in doubt I like to polish windows on a chunk facing different directions and examine for the desired effect. If the fibers are evident I like to cut in the direction of the fibers, only about 10 degrees off for pendant slabs, since a pendant is worn below eye level. I doubt this helps a lot, but at least somewhere to start.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,741
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Post by Mark K on Aug 26, 2023 10:26:50 GMT -5
According to Stan, it is something like asbestos. I wish he was still alive so I could pick his brain.
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 26, 2023 11:53:31 GMT -5
According to Stan, it is something like asbestos. I wish he was still alive so I could pick his brain. When I looked it up the description said Goethite, but I didn't look further to figure out what that is.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,215
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Post by realrockhound on Aug 26, 2023 18:46:56 GMT -5
Cut against the grain
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