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Post by stardiamond on Jan 24, 2022 17:38:41 GMT -5
Online buying is helped with good pictures. When they aren't, I have to use my optimist eyes. Morrisonite. Online picture:  My picture:  Blue Mountain: Online picture:  My picture:  |
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rewdownunder
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 357
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Post by rewdownunder on Jan 24, 2022 19:56:40 GMT -5
Sorry to say but it's not always the photo that is poor quality. I have been told more than once if you are trying to sell less then perfect material just post a small poor quality photo or one that is slightly out of focus. I do not sell material but I can see some people doing this.
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Post by stardiamond on Jan 24, 2022 20:35:37 GMT -5
Being familiar with a particular material helps. I looked for four things for the BMJ, yield, pattern, fractures and spots. The picture was adequate. What was missing was a photo of the other side. I'll get 5 preforms from the two pieces and should get about 2.5 times the cost of the slabs in cabs made assuming no unanticipated problems. A good purchase is 3 times plus. Looking at what is available for BMJ, I'm satisfied.
Better pictures would have increased the selling price.
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Post by stardiamond on Feb 10, 2022 23:35:28 GMT -5
Not exactly buying scratchers, but I am willing to take a gamble. From ebay, $27.00. 3/4 inch thick and solid as a a rock so I'll get multiple cabs. Listed as Morgan Hill. Resembles Hornitos. I don't know all 31 flavors of MHPJ.   Anyone with an id? |
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Post by stardiamond on Feb 11, 2022 13:11:04 GMT -5
I tried to split this with my slab saw and couldn't get it lined up properly. I used the trim saw and what was underneath the face wasn't attractive. The face pattern will probably hold and the other piece looks better framed.   |
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aGates
has rocks in the head
Building a silver studio
Member since January 2021
Posts: 518
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Post by aGates on Feb 11, 2022 20:53:49 GMT -5
im too new to the game to know but i sure like that! haveing fun i see!
johnny gates
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Post by stardiamond on Feb 14, 2022 12:29:01 GMT -5
How much I am willing to pay for a piece is based on anticipated yield. Ideally, yield in cabs sold is 3 times the cost of the material. It isn't how big the slab is or how attractive, it is how many good cabs are there and what can I get for them. I bought this at fullmoon for $29.50. Since it was a heel, I anticipated two slabs. I split and got one larger slab and a smaller slab with fractures.   Assuming the preform can be made into a cab, the best case scenario is break even. This left a bad taste in my mouth so I looked for more Morrisonite. I first looked on ebay. Bargains can be had, but not today. Morrisonite is tough because the slabs are too expensive for me to make cabs within my selling range. I checked the internet and found nothing. I tried Etsy and found this for $27.74 including tax and shipping. 79 x 37 x 6 mm  First thing I did was copy a listing picture and reduce to actual size on my screen.  The picture was the correct size in paint and about 20% larger here. The slab was listed as no fractures but with Morrisonite, I can't be sure. I see two nice preforms. If I can complete them and sell them my roi is at least 200%, completing one, breaking even. I can do much better with other material. It is a hobby and working on material I like makes it fun. |
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 28, 2022 16:02:52 GMT -5
I was doing an ebay search on Biggs and found someone that a lot of unfaced rough. I couldn't see anything except a small inexpensive piece. I saw a brown line which is something I like to use in a design.   I faced it, glue to a board and take a few slices from the opposite side the band goes all the way through and toward the center. I'm still not sure anything is there. I am an optimist. The unattractive light colored is mostly on the end I'm gluing.  |
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 30, 2022 13:26:42 GMT -5
I got two slabs ugly/interesting. I made one preform from this one.  |
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