Lapidaryforum.net
Rock Art => Cabochons, Intarsias, Cameos => Topic started by: Stonemon on June 29, 2016, 05:36:04 PM
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I have been cutting up a bit of the Holley I purchased at the Prineville Pow Wow show a couple weeks ago...
Bill
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Very nice, love the blue. One of these days I am going to have to get me some
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Holly is awesome. Does it tend to have fractures? There is nothing quite like the glow of a Purple stone. I like the cabs so far.
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In my experience, Holley Blue is one of the most frustrating and difficult agates to cut. The veil fractures, pits, inclusions and various other issues make it a very challenging material to work. That being said, if you wade through all of the stuff and get to a solid and shapely piece, it is unmatched in its beauty.
I was blessed (cursed) to have been one of the folks who dug this material back in the day. I sold a lot of AAA+ back in the 1970's for $5 to $8 a pound.
I now regularly pay $150 lb for lesser quality than I sold then....
Still love it. Life is good.
Bill
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It must be something inherent in the purple stones. I dig a Purple Agate out in Mojave and if you get it too got during cutting you will get the veils also. The best pieces from the location look like jelly Holly Blue.