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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Aug 10, 2004 16:28:49 GMT -5
Hey everyone, Well I have finally finished my "Star Rutilated Quartz" piece, after nearly a month of careful planning. I wanted to cut it way down and get rid of the natural fractures in this piece ... but, if I had done so, you would not have been able to see the star pattern very well. So there are some natural cleavage marks and fractures, but it does have a gorgeous star pattern.    This is not a jewelry grade piece ... but it is close  . These "stars" are extremely collectible and I have seen jewelry grade specimens sell for a couple of hundred dollars a piece. So, keep your eyes open  If you get the Rock & Gem magazine, October 2004 issue has an article "The Oxides". On page 32 it discusses a little bit about these "stars". A very interesting article. Enjoy, John |
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 10, 2004 16:44:06 GMT -5
absolutely breathtaking, Bear, i've never seen anything like it!
as usual, you really have done an expert job!
c'est magnifique!
KD
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Post by Cher on Aug 10, 2004 18:01:30 GMT -5
OMG That is stunning!! I would surely wear that as a pendant anyday. I can't believe you don't think it's jewelry quality  What's wrong with it? |
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Aug 10, 2004 18:05:37 GMT -5
As Nicole Ritchie would say, "That's hot".
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Post by Cher on Aug 10, 2004 18:08:35 GMT -5
[glow=green,2,300] My hubby (and I) want to know what rutilated means. He says it looks like straws in glass and can't believe it's so clear. [/glow]
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 10, 2004 19:03:53 GMT -5
my dictionary defines "rutile" as (noun) a black or reddish-brown mineral consisting of titainium dioxide, typically occuring as needle-like crystals.
yup, that be them.
KD
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Aug 10, 2004 19:23:48 GMT -5
Thank you JOHN , for sharing this beautiful piece of rock with us . You surely turned it into a piece of art. a frenchman would say perhaps:" Exquis". But I think a better word would be:" Extraordinaire" !!! Where on earth do you find such terrific pieces John? Keep them coming please Jack |
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Post by cookie3rocks on Aug 10, 2004 20:45:26 GMT -5
After all the fancy words, just let me say this:
OK, Wow! That is like, so awesome ;D
cookie
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Post by rockyraccoon on Aug 10, 2004 23:47:18 GMT -5
thank you for posting that just as i was fixing to go into rock pic withdrawals ;D. what is the stuff at the bottom of the star that looks like little bug larvaes? that God is one amazing artist! kind of reminds me of a ship in a bottle type project.
kim
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RiverOtter
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 339
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Post by RiverOtter on Aug 11, 2004 0:19:32 GMT -5
I think all your planning paid off John. It's beautiful! Otter |
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Aug 11, 2004 0:27:10 GMT -5
OMG, that is absolutely breathtaking! WOW!!!
llana
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Post by Cher on Aug 11, 2004 0:31:30 GMT -5
Thanks KD.
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Post by mrbrett on Aug 11, 2004 7:33:40 GMT -5
Once again you shock us with your master work. Great job. Where do you find your material to work with?
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Post by sandsman1 on Aug 11, 2004 8:58:51 GMT -5
hey john way cool man --very nice job
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Post by creativeminded on Aug 11, 2004 9:40:36 GMT -5
All I can say is WOW . I am very impressed. I was out of town when they had an auction here that had lapidary equipment on the block. Oh well maybe for the better, I really don't have a place to put it. Tami |
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Aug 11, 2004 12:38:13 GMT -5
Hello everyone, Thanks for the kind words, it has brightened my day  Cher - There is nothing really wrong with it for my standards. But, when you cut cabs for designer jewelers, they only want the best of the best. No flaws, imperfections of any kind. This stone naturally has flaws and minor imperfections that I would not be able to sell to a designer. A gem grade piece would not have any "Ghosts" in them. I call them ghosts, because when you are trying to make a sale and the perspective buyer sees a flaw (although natural), it most likely will cost you a sale. Hence the ghost, scared them away . I typically only cut the better grade rutilated quartz, as I have never had a problem with it selling. Brett & Jack - You name it - I look for better cutting material everywhere I go. Yard sales, garage sales, auctions, antique shops, lapidary/rock shops, eBay, estate sales, liquidation sales, etc. I have also developed a good reputation with some folks that know the quality of materials that I am looking for and they have always treated me right. I have also purchased a couple of rocks shops in the past couple of years and the materials I purchased were of an extremely high quality. I was told by George Mariacher (the gentleman that got me started in lapidary) "Learn as much as you can about lapidary. Strive to make each stone better than the last stone you cut. Keep your equipment updated and in the best possible condition. Cut the highest quality materials you can afford and you will never have a problem with selling them. Always give people more than they expect and you'll do fine". That was in 1978/79 and I have tried to live by his advise and should I ever asked ... that is exactly what I would say. Mr Mariacher died in 1980, during my senior year of high school. I think he would be happy with my cutting skills ... I know he is. Kim - The area on the bottom of the cab, is where this piece of rough broke off of a larger piece. I guess now we know what the rutile crystals have been looking at for thousands of years Thanks again and have a great day! John |
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donwrob
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 509
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Post by donwrob on Aug 12, 2004 10:22:45 GMT -5
John, that stuff is wild! I've never seen one like that. It is absolutely beautiful buddy, super work! Later, don
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Aug 12, 2004 14:56:32 GMT -5
That is just plain beautiful John,
I hope to develope skills in this area, and I love the advice you received.
It pretty much could apply to a lot of areas of life.
Thanks so much for sharing your work with us, it really keeps us on our toes.
Your standard of quality is commendable.
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. 
What's wrong with it?
