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Gemstones, Minerals & Fossils
Gemstones and Minerals
How to know if a stone is worth collecting
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<blockquote data-quote="Dihusky" data-source="post: 540688" data-attributes="member: 10304"><p>A lot depends on what you plan to do, Moneybox made some excellent points. Taking it further where gem rough is concerned, if you are going to learn how to cut or polish, then that defines a different path.</p><p></p><p>Apart from picking up interesting looking rough, once you get home you're going to have to confirm what it is, Quartz, Topaz, Zircon, Spinel, garnet... and so the list goes on. Specific gravity testing is easy to do and will go a long way to determining the identity of the rough, then it's down to your eyes, a good magnifier and a pinpoint torch.</p><p></p><p>Your going to be looking for clarity, cracks, inclusions etc only then can you decide what to keep for the future, and what goes into the fish tank or garden. My front garden is chockers with sparkly things, you can even scratch deeper as there's loads of Sapphires down the bottom, the rain moved them (there's a lesson there <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> ) fun but no good for cutting. Anything under around 3ct we chuck as cutting removed 66 - 75% of the rough, cutting small stones is a PIA :awful: , for me anyway.</p><p></p><p>If I can find 2 good cutters in a days fossicking, I'm a happy man <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> Quartz is different though, it's great for trial cuts and there's heaps of it. We tumble it to polish so we can select the good stuff, the rest either goes to the local rock shop or sparkles near the front door <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite6" alt=":cool:" title="Cool :cool:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":cool:" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dihusky, post: 540688, member: 10304"] A lot depends on what you plan to do, Moneybox made some excellent points. Taking it further where gem rough is concerned, if you are going to learn how to cut or polish, then that defines a different path. Apart from picking up interesting looking rough, once you get home you're going to have to confirm what it is, Quartz, Topaz, Zircon, Spinel, garnet... and so the list goes on. Specific gravity testing is easy to do and will go a long way to determining the identity of the rough, then it's down to your eyes, a good magnifier and a pinpoint torch. Your going to be looking for clarity, cracks, inclusions etc only then can you decide what to keep for the future, and what goes into the fish tank or garden. My front garden is chockers with sparkly things, you can even scratch deeper as there's loads of Sapphires down the bottom, the rain moved them (there's a lesson there ;) ) fun but no good for cutting. Anything under around 3ct we chuck as cutting removed 66 - 75% of the rough, cutting small stones is a PIA :awful: , for me anyway. If I can find 2 good cutters in a days fossicking, I'm a happy man :) Quartz is different though, it's great for trial cuts and there's heaps of it. We tumble it to polish so we can select the good stuff, the rest either goes to the local rock shop or sparkles near the front door :cool: [/QUOTE]
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Gemstones, Minerals & Fossils
Gemstones and Minerals
How to know if a stone is worth collecting
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