stevegem
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2024
Posts: 3
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Post by stevegem on Apr 8, 2024 2:22:25 GMT -5
Hi, Im brand new here. Im Jeff. my partners uncle just passed and left a few things behind. We have no idea about gemstones etc.
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 8, 2024 2:31:45 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
Value would depend in part on what it is, and in some cases location it is from.
If you are not sure what it is then you may have to run some tests such as hardness, density, streak, etc to narrow down possibilities.
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stevegem
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2024
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Post by stevegem on Apr 8, 2024 2:37:13 GMT -5
Hi, it's Pietersite. He lived in Melbourne but I couldn't tell you where he got it from.
Thank you
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 8, 2024 6:11:47 GMT -5
Good African Pietersite is extremely valuable. How heavy is that thing? Looks pretty big. It may be worth a whole lotta money.
Tagging rxscram he may have some insight.
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Post by MsAli on Apr 8, 2024 6:12:50 GMT -5
If he had them labeled and you're positive in ID then your best bet would be to find a local lapidary and get quotes or do your research online for an estimate. Rocks change "value" all the time and its really hard to place value by showing one picture with no other info, such as weight, plus something is only worth what someone will pay.
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chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
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Post by chris1956 on Apr 8, 2024 9:27:29 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri.
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Tommy
Administrator
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Post by Tommy on Apr 8, 2024 10:11:55 GMT -5
Hi, it's Pietersite. He lived in Melbourne but I couldn't tell you where he got it from. Welcome to the forum! Pricing rough rocks is tricky - the simplified answer to your question of the rock's value is literally as much as you are willing to wait or work for. The road to waiting for the the highest value should include a solid identification and a peek inside the rock. If you are able to provide high-res close up photos that shows this rock exhibiting features such as blue chatoyancy through 'windowing' which means chipping or cutting a decent view of what's inside the rock, or even cutting a end-cap off if you have the capability for that. If you're selling it in person to an experienced rock person then the previous thought is less important because they can hold it and turn it around and get a greater understanding of the total potential. The following is VERY general and unscientific example of rockonomics but it's pretty much how it goes in the lapidary hobby. There are exceptions of course with highly valuable rocks such as turquoise and obviously if it's a museum quality rock that's an entirely different conversation. Rough rock - buyer assumes max risk - least value$1 per lb to $75 per lb? Rough rock which is not cut or windowed presents the most risk to a buyer. Our forum member catmandewe has a pile of probably 20 tons of rocks from all over the US and beyond, priced to sell in the $1 per lb range. Every rock in this pile is likely to have shown enough potential that it caused a rockhound to pick it up, lick it, and bring it home with them. The risk of buying a rough rock is very high that it will turn out to be mostly crappy matrix inside or it can be riddled with fractures. Example: high grade material, 40lb rough rock, $1000 - $3000 to the right buyerCut/faced/slabbed rock - seller assumes max risk - value addedWith a display cut or cutting the rock into slabs, the value switches to a total of the pieces price. A high grade 1/4" thick slab of pietersite could easily sell in the $100 to $200 range because most of the risk of purchasing the rock has now been removed. Example: 40 slabs @ $100 to $200 each, $4000 - $8000 spread out over multiple buyersJewelry Ready Rocks - near zero risk, highest valueThis last example that could be used probably doesn't apply here but it's part of the economics. A lapidary artist who bought the whole rock and cut it up and makes maximum jewelry cabochons and sells them individually stands add the greatest lapidary value. Example: 40 slabs, 4 cabs each selling in the $80 to $180 each range (based on size/brilliance etc.), $12,800 to $28,800
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Apr 8, 2024 10:20:08 GMT -5
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Post by catmandewe on Apr 8, 2024 12:34:59 GMT -5
Welcome Jeff! Everything has value, the problem is determining what the value is. True value is when both buyer and seller are happy with the selling price. That looks nothing like Pietersite to me, need better photos to determine what it is. Tony PS- Tommy you need to get back up here, the $1 pile is about 300 tons now.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 8, 2024 12:52:54 GMT -5
Slab a window and get a photo of it dry and wet,....
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Tommy
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Post by Tommy on Apr 8, 2024 14:21:02 GMT -5
PS- Tommy you need to get back up here, the $1 pile is about 300 tons now. Even after the dent I put in it?? Haha You've been busy
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titaniumkid
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Post by titaniumkid on Apr 8, 2024 17:32:53 GMT -5
Hi Jeff. Sorry for your partner's loss.
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brybry
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Post by brybry on Apr 8, 2024 18:33:22 GMT -5
Welcome Jeff! Everything has value, the problem is determining what the value is. True value is when both buyer and seller are happy with the selling price. That looks nothing like Pietersite to me, need better photos to determine what it is. Tony PS- Tommy you need to get back up here, the $1 pile is about 300 tons now. There is a $1 pile?
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Post by MsAli on Apr 8, 2024 18:34:39 GMT -5
Welcome Jeff! Everything has value, the problem is determining what the value is. True value is when both buyer and seller are happy with the selling price. That looks nothing like Pietersite to me, need better photos to determine what it is. Tony PS- Tommy you need to get back up here, the $1 pile is about 300 tons now. There is a $1 pile? It's a dream of mine to go see
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stevegem
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2024
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Post by stevegem on Apr 8, 2024 23:23:17 GMT -5
Good African Pietersite is extremely valuable. How heavy is that thing? Looks pretty big. It may be worth a whole lotta money.
Tagging rxscram he may have some insight. Hi, it's really heavy! 2 person lift.
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rxscram
spending too much on rocks
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Post by rxscram on Apr 9, 2024 0:46:32 GMT -5
Hi Jeff, Welcome to the forum, and sorry for your patner's loss. I have to agree with Tony ( catmandewe). Based on the couple of photos this doesn't appear to be Pietersite. Could you get some photos from closer to the stone?
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Post by roy on Apr 9, 2024 10:37:11 GMT -5
i cant tell what they are from those photos if in fact it is Pietersite it would have to be graded and then a price could be set
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realrockhound
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Post by realrockhound on Apr 9, 2024 11:04:17 GMT -5
Looks like metal to me.
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