rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Apr 17, 2008 1:02:17 GMT -5
I found this old chunk of this nicely opalized wood in Nevada this last weekend, my first thought was to slicer it in half and maybe shine up the cut ends, but then again maybe this one should stay intact, just as I found it laying in the desert. If you found this, what would you do? BTW it's about 3lb in weight, maybe this pic is a better shot for size...
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dshalldms
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by dshalldms on Apr 17, 2008 1:13:52 GMT -5
Hi,
Nice find.
I have always found White Opalite to be most uninteresting when cut and polished.
However, as a specimen of wood I think it's fantastic. Many people would be proud to have it in their collection just as it is.
For what it's worth... my vote is don't cut it.
Derek
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,787
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Post by adrian65 on Apr 17, 2008 1:16:28 GMT -5
That's a beauty and this type of opalised wood seems to show its best grain on the natural surfaces. I would probably do a cut just to flatten its base (right side 2nd pic) to allow the rock to stand vertically. You can also test on this cut or on the resulting slab how would it look polished.
Adrian
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one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Post by one80mike on Apr 17, 2008 5:14:21 GMT -5
I second the other guys. You'd hate to cut it and find that it was pretty much just white inside. I like Adrian's idea of cutting a flat base for it though. It's a beautiful specimen...don't stuff it up!
mike
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Post by texaswoodie on Apr 17, 2008 6:53:03 GMT -5
When I'm not sure about cut or specimen, I do what Adrian suggested and cut a base on it. If it has nice colors or patterns, I might cut a face to be polished. If it has fantastic colors or patterns, I start slicing that sucker up. Curt
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Post by texaswoodie on Apr 17, 2008 6:54:18 GMT -5
Excellent find, by the way!
Curt
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holdemplyer
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 418
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Post by holdemplyer on Apr 17, 2008 8:14:17 GMT -5
my vote - cut the base as adrian said.... killer find!
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Post by fishenman on Apr 17, 2008 8:30:16 GMT -5
Very nice wood. I have lots of the same stuff. Pretty bland inside, sometimes some grain patterns can be found. I cut so many I feel bad since the display appeal went way down. I did notice fractures throughout most of my opalized wood.
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Apr 17, 2008 13:52:21 GMT -5
Yup, what the others (esp. fishenman) said.
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Post by stoner on Apr 17, 2008 22:27:00 GMT -5
Cut that sucker up! If you want more, I still have about 300lbs of that stuff if you want to keep a piece for a specimen. And it has nice blacks and yellows along with the white!
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Apr 18, 2008 0:31:18 GMT -5
Hmmm I've never seen opalized wood before.. sounds cool.. I'd like to see whats inside that thing too... and Hell if it's opalized.. it's gotta be worth cutting.. no matter right?
and yeah take stoner up on his deal get more and cut that sucker up! lol
*smiles*
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 18, 2008 1:55:24 GMT -5
I Like it as it is it is quite a spectactular find pitty to make it the same flat sided as all the other bits !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jack yorkshire UK
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Apr 19, 2008 7:16:42 GMT -5
I think I would leave as is for display at least until I found a better specimen. That way you have an excuse to keep going back out, right ?
Harley
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Post by stonesthatrock on Apr 20, 2008 9:30:37 GMT -5
i wood ( he he) cut it up................
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 21, 2008 23:40:51 GMT -5
Not cut.
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Apr 22, 2008 9:13:31 GMT -5
Cut the end Adrian suggested to make it stand as a specimen. Based on what you see inside, decide from there! Don't just start hacking at it! <smile>
Amy
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