Lapidaryforum.net

Let's Rock => Identifications of Materials => Topic started by: lithicbeads on June 22, 2015, 07:28:02 PM

Title: Arizona black jade
Post by: lithicbeads on June 22, 2015, 07:28:02 PM

 I spoke with the gentleman who x-ray diffraction tests jades and he told me that the Arizona black jade was "junk" , it tested out as primarily plagioclase feldspar. On the subject of " absolute black jade " from Arizona he was more than dismissive as even the seller admits that it is not jade.

Title: Re: Arizona black jade
Post by: Itsandbits on June 23, 2015, 07:20:51 AM

Thanks for clearing that up Frank, after that listing was posted I sent him a message regarding my doubts about it but got no reply. Even from here it didn't look right.

Title: Re: Arizona black jade
Post by: wampidy on June 23, 2015, 08:36:27 AM

I guess there is no sense of even opening the box. Damn, I just got a message today that it had shipped. He better pay return shipping too. Thanks Frank, I guess I should have gone by what I had heard in the past.
Jim

Title: Re: Arizona black jade
Post by: lithicbeads on June 23, 2015, 02:05:31 PM

It still may be a fine black but feldspar is a lot less hard and tough than jade , not so good for rings I would think. I think I need to find some of the local black jade and spread it around.

Title: Re: Arizona black jade
Post by: Enchantra on June 23, 2015, 02:19:49 PM

Jim, you could probably still make some good pendants out of it.

Title: Re: Arizona black jade
Post by: Phishisgroovin on June 23, 2015, 06:19:48 PM

feldspar can be somewhat sexy though in the right hands lol! :coffee1: (and if it has some flash in it lol!)

Title: Re: Arizona black jade
Post by: wampidy on June 23, 2015, 06:30:37 PM

Well, 51 bucks seems a little steep but if it is pure black it would have some uses such as backer and I think jet is getting hard to come by. I have not made any cabs with a backer but you know me and my addiction to trying everything.

I will open the box and check it out, maybe the guy will refund part of the price. I have plenty of really black jade but I do not want to cut it up so maybe I can use this for my plan.

I will let you know.
Jim

Title: Re: Arizona black jade
Post by: GoodEarth on June 23, 2015, 08:26:09 PM

There seems to be plenty of Black Jade over at Secret Beach. Put in an order with Gergis this weekend!

Title: Re: Arizona black jade
Post by: lithicbeads on June 23, 2015, 09:36:52 PM

It may be a mixed bag of black rocks but there is a lot of it on the beaches here on the island and what is here has proven to be at secret beach also. Good luck and keep it quiet. People from all over the world are after Washington black and we are afraid they will do something stupid and wreck the collecting for all of us.

Title: Re: Arizona black jade
Post by: Helene Fielder on June 24, 2015, 10:52:16 PM

Glad I asked about the black jade from California before purchasing. 

This forum is a delight. 

If you decide to cut your new purchase Jim, let us know how it works, or if you don't like the looks and return to seller.