From owner-rockhounds-digest@drizzle.com Fri Jan 5 16:54:20 2001 Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 23:49:01 -0800 From: rockhounds-digest Reply-To: rockhounds@drizzle.com To: rockhounds-digest@drizzle.com Subject: rockhounds-digest V1 #730 rockhounds-digest Sunday, December 31 2000 Volume 01 : Number 730 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 03:21:21 -0800 From: magnet@crocoite.com Subject: MineralFind 2001 Hi all If you are looking for a particular mineral or minerals from a particular location, don't forget about MineralFind at crocoite.com MineralFind will continue to be available throughout 2001 even though I will be working away from home for the next four months. Regards Steve http://www.crocoite.com - ----- Sent using MailStart.com ( http://MailStart.Com/welcome.html ) The FREE way to access your mailbox via any web browser, anywhere! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 03:26:33 -0800 From: magnet@crocoite.com Subject: Update to Census of Minerals Hi all Happy New Year to you and yours. It's about an hour and a half to go until 2001 here in Tasmania. I have uploaded a major update to the census of the minerals of Australia and New Zealand. Locality information for Victoria, the Northern Territory and New Zealand has now been loaded. Follow the census link at crocoite.com (Many thanks to Evan Chugg in New Zealand for his input). Regards Steve http://www.crocoite.com - ----- Sent using MailStart.com ( http://MailStart.Com/welcome.html ) The FREE way to access your mailbox via any web browser, anywhere! ------------------------------ Date: 31 Dec 2000 08:47:34 -0800 From: "Tim Fisher" Subject: Re: Blade styles It's been talked about on the lapidary digest, if the archives are still posted you can look it up. It involves clamping the blade between two heavy pieces of wood, like 2x10's, and pounding from the center out in a spiral pattern to simultaneously tension and straighten the blade. At 08:31 AM 12/30/2000 -0800, you wrote: >Tim, > >Could you share with us more on your sledge hammer and boards method of >blade renewal? I believe that it would benefit. > >Kevin Wright > > >>From: "Tim Fisher" >>Reply-To: rockhounds@drizzle.com >>To: rockhounds@drizzle.com >>Subject: Re: Blade styles >>Date: 29 Dec 2000 07:00:54 -0800 >> >>There is a lot of debate about the merits of different blade styles. It's >>really up to you, do you want to spend 3x-4x the money on a faster blade >>that may last longer? I have compared all the MK styles at Richardson's, >>who have switched from the Meteor to the MK "keyhole" type blade with the >>cutouts for faster cutting. They did admit that the keyhole blades are >>easier to damage and probably do not have any more diamond on them, and >>therefore will probably not outlast their Meteor, which is the low end MK. >>The only advantage is that you can speed up the feed, which is a big >>advantage for them since they cut their t-eggs "while you wait." I don't >>have any problems with the Meteor and have 3 saws cutting an average of >>about 500-750 hours each/year. With all that use, I go through a Meteor >>(last time I bought one it cost $279 for an 18") about every 2 years on >>each saw. I have yet to damage one beyond the ability of a sledge hammer >>and 2 boards to repair. >> >>At 01:31 AM 12/29/2000 -0600, you wrote: >>>Larry, >>>Please tell us what you mean by a professional blade. I've got several >>>saws from 10" to 18". >>>The 18" is a Raytech and their top of the line blade (Gold Blazer) costs >>>$600. Last year at Tucson I bought a couple of MK 10" blades, with varying >>>kerfs. I could not get much help from the sales people as to overall >>>quality. Maybe this is something the other members of this group would >>>care to share their experiences on. Are there blades that we should stay >>>away from because they don't last? I assume most people cut a majority of >>>harder agates. >>>Thanks, >>>Gordon >>>From: RoCkHeAd2u@aol.com >>>Reply-To: rockhounds@drizzle.com >>>Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2000 00:57:00 EST >>>To: rockhounds@drizzle.com >>>Subject: Re: slab vs trim saw >>> >>>My thoughts would be to try to get a used 10 inch saw that would have a vice >>>that would hold the rocks. you can hold them also with your hand if the saw >>>is a combination slab/trim. Some 10 inch saws are made so you can do >>>both on. >>> >>>No matter what size of saw you get PLEASE put the extra effort and get a >>>"PROFESSIONAL" type blade. They cut so much faster and smoother. >>> >>>Look in the "HOBBY" section of your local newspaper and see what used items >>>come up for sale. >>> >>>Larry >> >>Tim Fisher, 1995 President, Pacific Fishery Biologists >>Ore-ROCK-On Rockhounding Web Site >>PFB Information >>mailto:tim@OreRockOn.com >>WWW http://OreRockOn.com >> >>################################################################# >># Rockhounds@drizzle Mailing Alias: rockhounds@drizzle.com # >># Web: http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ # >># Subscription Services: majordomo@drizzle.com # >>################################################################# > >_________________________________________________________________ >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > >################################################################# ># Rockhounds@drizzle Mailing Alias: rockhounds@drizzle.com # ># Web: http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ # ># Subscription Services: majordomo@drizzle.com # >################################################################# Tim Fisher, 1995 President, Pacific Fishery Biologists Ore-ROCK-On Rockhounding Web Site PFB Information mailto:tim@OreRockOn.com WWW http://OreRockOn.com ------------------------------ Date: 31 Dec 2000 08:52:02 -0800 From: "Tim Fisher" Subject: Re: Labradorite question? Plagioclase feldspar occurs in Oregon as sunstone; AFAIK Labradorite does not occur in this state. At 11:50 PM 12/30/2000 -0400, you wrote: >Hi Allison, > >Spectrolite IS Labradorite. Labradorite is the proper mineralogical term. > >Spectrolite is a commercial designation, one of those thefts of "ite" that >make serious mineral collectors wince because they hijack the credibility >of science (most mineral names end in "ite") for commercial purposes. >However, it is a designation which has been around for a while. > >So Spectrolite is simply a commercial designation for labradorite that >comes from Finland. > >Labradorite also occurs in Madagascar, New York State, Oregon, Quebec, >(plus I believe in Vermont) and more than likely in a host of other places >I can't remember or haven't heard of. > >It is in any case a feldspar, with pronounced cleavage. That alone makes it >difficult to work. In addition the labradorite from labrador is somewhere >in the order of 2 billion years old, so it's been extensively pushed around >by tectonic forces. That can't help but weaken a material already given to >cleavage. Subarctic frost/thaw cycles contribute their share. Finland being >in a similar latitude I doubt it's much different either in geological >history or climate. Sinkankas, in "Gemstones of North America" says it is >difficult to get a sound finished cab much bigger than a quarter. This >exactly mirrors my own experience with labradorite from labrador. > >For many years the myth has circulated that the labrador material was prone >to fractures because of poor mining techniques: "they blasted it". Indeed, >in my old Lapidary Journals of the late 50's and early 60's the >Contempo-Lapidary company advertises Labrador labradorite under the >headline "mined not blasted." > >I was at the Tabor Island, Labrador quarry about five years ago, the last >year that the material was commercially (albeit on a very small scale) >quarried. It was indeed being blasted. However, I also had occasion to cut >quite an amount of labradorite from another location known as "Pearly >Gates." This area has religious significance to the local Innu people and >hence has never been blasted or ortherwise worked, yet the material from >here works no differently at all from the Tabor Island stone. Likewise not >long ago I bought a few pieces which I was told came from half a ton or so >that had been used as ballast in a fishing boat for thirty odd years, and >hence was old stuff that hadn't been blasted. But it was no different in >cutting characteristics either. > >The Finland "spectrolite" commands a higher price. It tends to be more >colourful, showing reds and orange in addition to the more common blue and >green. My suspicion is that this is not due to any intrinsic difference but >more likely due to more careful, more quality-conscious, selection of the >material that reaches the market. Whether it is more sound, yielding bigger >cabs, I can't say. > > >As far as prices go, they vary widely. You can expect to pay somewhere >around 20 dollars a pound for Labrador material, sometimes more, sometimes >less. Cabs tend to be priced individually, like opal, depending on the >depth and purity of the colour. For a good sound cab of deep blue Tabor >Island labradorite about the size of a quarter I'd expect to pay between 25 >and 40 dollars. > > >Cheers >Hans Durstling >Moncton, Canada > >===================== >I know that their was a recent discussion done on the going price of > >Spectrolite but cannot find the prices any where. Could someone let me > >know what they go for or please point me in the right direction. What > >exactly is the difference? Where are they most commonly found? Thanks a > >lot. Oh. yeah....HAPPY NEW YEAR! > >Allison > > Tim Fisher, 1995 President, Pacific Fishery Biologists Ore-ROCK-On Rockhounding Web Site PFB Information mailto:tim@OreRockOn.com WWW http://OreRockOn.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 09:48:05 -0800 From: "Lanny R. Ream" Subject: Re: Labradorite question? Tim, Plagioclase is a feldspar group name, not a mineral name. The Oregon sunstones are the mineral labradorite. Apparently, larbradorite is the most common facet quality feldspar. Lanny >Plagioclase feldspar occurs in Oregon as sunstone; AFAIK Labradorite does >not occur in this state. > >At 11:50 PM 12/30/2000 -0400, you wrote: >>Hi Allison, >> >>Spectrolite IS Labradorite. Labradorite is the proper mineralogical term. >> >>Spectrolite is a commercial designation, one of those thefts of "ite" that >>make serious mineral collectors wince because they hijack the credibility >>of science (most mineral names end in "ite") for commercial purposes. >>However, it is a designation which has been around for a while. >> >>So Spectrolite is simply a commercial designation for labradorite that >>comes from Finland. >> >>Labradorite also occurs in Madagascar, New York State, Oregon, Quebec, >>(plus I believe in Vermont) and more than likely in a host of other places >>I can't remember or haven't heard of. >> >>It is in any case a feldspar, with pronounced cleavage. That alone makes it >>difficult to work. In addition the labradorite from labrador is somewhere >>in the order of 2 billion years old, so it's been extensively pushed around >>by tectonic forces. That can't help but weaken a material already given to >>cleavage. Subarctic frost/thaw cycles contribute their share. Finland being >>in a similar latitude I doubt it's much different either in geological >>history or climate. Sinkankas, in "Gemstones of North America" says it is >>difficult to get a sound finished cab much bigger than a quarter. This >>exactly mirrors my own experience with labradorite from labrador. >> >>For many years the myth has circulated that the labrador material was prone >>to fractures because of poor mining techniques: "they blasted it". Indeed, >>in my old Lapidary Journals of the late 50's and early 60's the >>Contempo-Lapidary company advertises Labrador labradorite under the >>headline "mined not blasted." >> >>I was at the Tabor Island, Labrador quarry about five years ago, the last >>year that the material was commercially (albeit on a very small scale) >>quarried. It was indeed being blasted. However, I also had occasion to cut >>quite an amount of labradorite from another location known as "Pearly >>Gates." This area has religious significance to the local Innu people and >>hence has never been blasted or ortherwise worked, yet the material from >>here works no differently at all from the Tabor Island stone. Likewise not >>long ago I bought a few pieces which I was told came from half a ton or so >>that had been used as ballast in a fishing boat for thirty odd years, and >>hence was old stuff that hadn't been blasted. But it was no different in >>cutting characteristics either. >> >>The Finland "spectrolite" commands a higher price. It tends to be more >>colourful, showing reds and orange in addition to the more common blue and >>green. My suspicion is that this is not due to any intrinsic difference but >>more likely due to more careful, more quality-conscious, selection of the >>material that reaches the market. Whether it is more sound, yielding bigger >>cabs, I can't say. >> >> >>As far as prices go, they vary widely. You can expect to pay somewhere >>around 20 dollars a pound for Labrador material, sometimes more, sometimes >>less. Cabs tend to be priced individually, like opal, depending on the >>depth and purity of the colour. For a good sound cab of deep blue Tabor >>Island labradorite about the size of a quarter I'd expect to pay between 25 >>and 40 dollars. >> >> >>Cheers >>Hans Durstling >>Moncton, Canada >> >>===================== >>I know that their was a recent discussion done on the going price of >> >Spectrolite but cannot find the prices any where. Could someone let me >> >know what they go for or please point me in the right direction. What >> >exactly is the difference? Where are they most commonly found? Thanks a >> >lot. Oh. yeah....HAPPY NEW YEAR! >> >Allison >> > > >Tim Fisher, 1995 President, Pacific Fishery Biologists >Ore-ROCK-On Rockhounding Web Site >PFB Information >mailto:tim@OreRockOn.com >WWW http://OreRockOn.com > >################################################################# ># Rockhounds@drizzle Mailing Alias: rockhounds@drizzle.com # ># Web: http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ # ># Subscription Services: majordomo@drizzle.com # >################################################################# ********************************************* Lanny R. Ream - lanny@mineralnews.com Owner/Publisher - LR Ream Publishing Publisher of gem & mineral references and guides, Mineral News - printed and online, Mineral software: The Mineral Database and the Mineral-Periodical Index Visit our Web pages at http://www.mineralnews.com ****** ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 13:26:51 -0500 From: Don Subject: need exact location on selenite from Morocco Hi all, I recently purchased a 30" long, 5" wide specimen of selenite labeled simply "Morocco." It is silky and fibrous, appearing rather like ulexite at first glance. I'm hoping this variety is well known and someone can provide a better location than simply Morocco. Happy Millenium, Don ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 13:44:25 -0500 From: Kreigh Tomaszewski Subject: Re: need exact location on selenite from Morocco Don wrote: > > Hi all, > > I recently purchased a 30" long, 5" wide specimen of selenite labeled > simply "Morocco." It is silky and fibrous, appearing rather like > ulexite at first glance. I'm hoping this variety is well known and > someone can provide a better location than simply Morocco. > > Happy Millenium, > > Don > ################################################################# > # Rockhounds@drizzle Mailing Alias: rockhounds@drizzle.com # > # Web: http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ # > # Subscription Services: majordomo@drizzle.com # > ################################################################# Don, The variety is satin spar selenite and we also have it at our local gypsum mines in Grand Rapids, but not anywhere near the size specimen you describe. Kreigh Tomaszewski Mailto:Kreigh@Tomaszewski.net Please visit our family web pages at http://Tomaszewski.net ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 15:59:03 EST From: CRAZYDOVE@aol.com Subject: Re: need exact location on selenite from Morocco Hi Don..this sounds like something I purchased last Christmas. BUT, the specimans I purchased are on a platform, with a revolving colored lightwheel inside, the "selenite" sits on it and the lights reflect up thru it. I bought 3 of them. They are fibrous and silky, when I handle them I have to be careful because little "strands" of it break off. Quite expensive too. They are about 16"s tall and 5-6"s wide. I bought mine at those "nature stores" in the malls. But I can't honestly tell you if they even had the country of origin or any info with them at all. But they are beautiful pieces! Jackie In a message dated 12/31/00 1:23:22 PM Eastern Standard Time, morningstar@worldnet.att.net writes: << Hi all, I recently purchased a 30" long, 5" wide specimen of selenite labeled simply "Morocco." It is silky and fibrous, appearing rather like ulexite at first glance. I'm hoping this variety is well known and someone can provide a better location than simply Morocco. Happy Millenium, >> ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 16:16:34 EST From: CRAZYDOVE@aol.com Subject: Re: need exact location on selenite from Morocco That's the name of what I have..thanks for jogging my memory!! Satin Spar Selenite..nice stuff! But I still don't know where it came from, unfortunately! Sorry Don! Jackie In a message dated 12/31/00 1:45:01 PM Eastern Standard Time, Kreigh@Tomaszewski.net writes: << The variety is satin spar selenite and we also have it at our local gypsum mines in Grand Rapids, but not anywhere near the size specimen you describe. >> ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 16:39:25 -0800 From: "Neil Van Oost Jr." Subject: Re: slab vs trim saw cutting times Cutting time depends on the saw RPMs and the feed. On my 24 inch I can vary the feed through six settings about 8 - 12 inches an hour. Blade pully two sizes and gear drive three sizes, with the 1HP motor constant speed. On my 10 inch I can either use a weight pully feed (which I've never used) or the automatic feed which is constant feed - I get 2 to 4 slabs an hour (2 - 4 inch size) depending on just how much attention I'm paying to it, it has an auto-cut off which means it runs a bit longer after the piece is cut. It a pain to keep changing the cut off nut and I usually leave it at 4 inches feed. Figure 3 inch agate/10 inch saw - 20 minutes. I know you can increase cutting speed on some saw setups by increasing blade RPMs and increasing feed tension (heavier weight on weight driven feeds), but I would rather stick to factory specs - probably have a longer blade life that way. Neil ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 20:54:02 -0500 From: "J. Dunleavy" Subject: Re: Blade styles I straightened out my "Genie" trim saw blade by placing it between 2 2X10 pieces of wood and pounding the center and working out . I did this a few times and it cut just as well as new to my amazement. I thought I had an original idea by doing this but apparently not. I bent it real bad by trying to cut a Richardson Blue Thunder Egg to quickly. Patience is not always easy to employ when trying to see what is inside these beauties. After I bent it I priced a new one and was shocked to see how much a new one cost and so started to think of a method of rectifying my blunder. I now treat my equipment with a new found respect. I had been cutting, grinding and polishing Petrified Wood since I bought my genie and never experienced the hardness of the egg interior of the geode and lost my patience waiting for the geode to cut through. I have since re-read the directions and cautions in the manuals and consider myself quite fortunate. I can definitely attest to the straightening method. Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 20:38:34 -0600 From: Mike Flannigan Subject: Re: going downhill fast.... If you go by Sedona and the weather is nice, you might want to stop by Boynton Canyon. It's fairly crowded at times, but you probably won't regret you made the trip. Mike Flannigan > Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2000 09:57:00 -0700 > > First, don't discount the well-known places unless you've been there > many times. I would include in that list the Grand Canyon, of course. If > weather permits the North Rim is spectacular and much less-visited, if > you happen to be coming down through Utah. Likewise for the Petrified > Forest. Most mineral collecting books will mention a site or two in > Northern Arizona for petrified wood. Sunset Crater and the rest of the > San Francisco Mts. for volcanic interests, Wupatki National Monument and > Walnut Canyon National Monument for Native American ruins; all near > Flagstaff. Oak Creek Canyon and the Sedona red rock area is fairly > spectacular just south of Flagstaff. If you're coming through Las Vegas > snip > > Rick ------------------------------ End of rockhounds-digest V1 #730 ******************************** ################################################################# # To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Rockhoundz List, send mail # # to with the following keys: # # subscribe rockhounds (or) unsubscribe rockhounds # # rockhounds@drizzle.com | http://callisto.golder.com/rockhoundz# #################################################################