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Let's Rock => Rockhounding Tips, Maps, Trips Etc. => Topic started by: PuttyPal on March 17, 2017, 06:17:01 AM

Title: 18lb slab of Aventurite - what to do with it?
Post by: PuttyPal on March 17, 2017, 06:17:01 AM

The previous owners of the house I live in left a big 40lb slab of Amazonite in the backyard. It's blue-green, with some white. It's flaky, just like Amazonite should be. I thought it might've been microcline, but after doing research it appears not.

What should I do with it? I was thinking of cutting it into smaller pieces and polishing them? Or maybe I could sell it the way it is? How much is 18lbs of Amazonite worth? 

Thanks :icon_thumleft:

Title: Re: 40lb slab of Amazonite - what to do with it?
Post by: fossilman on March 17, 2017, 08:34:08 AM

I see that it goes for $10.00 a pound per small sizes....Might be worth more as a whole piece.....Do your homework,before cutting it up!
Any photos of the material??

Title: Re: 40lb slab of Amazonite - what to do with it?
Post by: Jhon P on March 17, 2017, 09:33:01 AM

Send it to me. I will make a sphere out of it.
I bought a piece in Quartzsite to make a sphere. I think I paid $6.00 a lb for it.

Title: Re: 40lb slab of Amazonite - what to do with it?
Post by: PuttyPal on March 17, 2017, 09:51:40 AM

https://imgur.com/a/csZJg  <--Here

It's around 18 pounds actually. I sure misjudged that.  :spanker:  :LOLOL:

Rocks seem way heavier than they are apparently.  :huh:

I could cut it up into 100s of little stones, and polish them into gemstones. Or I could make one huge gemstone. Or leave it as is? It's a very nice color.

Title: Re: 18lb slab of Amazonite - what to do with it?
Post by: Jhon P on March 17, 2017, 03:17:47 PM

If you cut it try to orientat it so that you get the sparkle.  18 lbs will make a lot of cabs!
If it was me I would cut a slab off and make a cab and see how it polishes and check the orientation.
I have done some that had to be stabilized because it wanted to break apart.

Title: Re: 18lb slab of Amazonite - what to do with it?
Post by: Talusman on March 18, 2017, 02:55:28 AM

Nice green rock! From the image it looks more like aventurine than amazonite (amazonite is microcline feldspar). I agree - I'd take a bit off to see how it works up.

Enjoy!

-Jeremy

Title: Re: 18lb slab of Amazonite - what to do with it?
Post by: PuttyPal on March 18, 2017, 04:40:43 AM

I researched around, and it is Aventurine. The gray silver stuff on it (aventurescence) makes it so. I'll be able to make lots of cabs.  :toothy10:

How much would 18lbs of aventurine fetch in iits current condition? (un-cut)

Title: Re: 18lb slab of Aventurite - what to do with it?
Post by: PuttyPal on March 18, 2017, 06:44:42 AM

The rock is flaky and those flakes snap off easily.

Title: Re: 18lb slab of Aventurite - what to do with it?
Post by: Jhon P on March 18, 2017, 02:06:36 PM

Cut the end off and polish it. Here is a picture of some amazonite that I am going to sphere. I can dig out a piece of aventurine and take a picture too if you want? I haven't cleaned the oil off yet.