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Let's Rock => Rough and Slabs => Topic started by: vitzitziltecpatl on December 23, 2016, 06:13:44 PM

Title: Carrasite - w/ New Slab Pics
Post by: vitzitziltecpatl on December 23, 2016, 06:13:44 PM

Robin and I don't usually spend as much on a single chunk of rough as we did on this one - too much chance of it being a dud in the middle - but we think this one turned out alright. Only bought it because Carrasite is getting pretty difficult to find these days. It was being sold as a face-polished display specemen.

First pic is the polished face. Second is the back side. Third is what we found in the middle. The dimensions on the polished face are 8-1/2" x 6", and it weighed 10.8 lbs.

* New slab pics added 12/29/16. These are the three slabs from the chunk in the background of the third photo.

Title: Re: Carrasite
Post by: Redrummd on December 23, 2016, 08:16:46 PM

That is a real WOW piece for sure.  I certainly would never have thought that pattern would be inside that piece.....

Title: Re: Carrasite
Post by: lithicbeads on December 23, 2016, 09:03:33 PM

Spectacular cabs awaiting.

Title: Re: Carrasite
Post by: Ranger_Dave on December 23, 2016, 10:27:28 PM

I'd try to join two slabs together to make some awesome butterfly wings. Maybe attach those wings to a gold butterfly body?

Title: Re: Carrasite
Post by: 55fossil on December 24, 2016, 06:45:26 AM

Wow,  Merry Christmas on that one.

Title: Re: Carrasite
Post by: vitzitziltecpatl on December 24, 2016, 06:53:06 AM

Thanks. We saw the colors around the piece, and were hoping they weren't all close to the surface. Got lucky. Robin actually said "Merry Christmas to us!".

The butterfly wings are a good idea. Still have a template outline from an old Imperial Jasper cab. It had been shaped to preserve a pattern, but everyone else saw a wing.

Next thing to do will be to epoxy it to a chunk of 4x4 post so I can (hopefully) get good uniform slabs. Will be more cautious with it now than when I sawed through the middle freehand under the drop saw blade! The two pieces did come out with uniform thickness, but that's definitely not a "best practice". I just wanted to see inside it...!!!

Title: Re: Carrasite
Post by: Enchantra on December 24, 2016, 02:05:03 PM

That's a Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday piece!  That is going to make some stunning cabs!

Title: Re: Carrasite
Post by: hummingbirdstones on December 24, 2016, 03:35:51 PM

 :WEEEE:

Title: Re: Carrasite
Post by: Sandsave on December 27, 2016, 06:41:49 PM

Surprise surprise lucky you!

Title: Re: Carrasite
Post by: axllaird on December 28, 2016, 02:12:48 PM

What a beauty...and cut freehand, superb.

Title: Re: Carrasite - w/ New Slab Pics
Post by: hummingbirdstones on December 29, 2016, 07:50:40 AM

Some new slab pics in the original post.  These three are sitting by my Genie patiently awaiting my attention.   :icon_sunny:  I'm working on a bit from the heel at the moment.  I'll post it when I finish it.