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Let's Rock => Rock Talk => Topic started by: likesrocks on January 20, 2017, 11:14:39 AM
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Back in the 80's Goldstone was all the rage! Now it seems hard to find. Who would guess manmade black glass with flecks of copper would be difficult to obtain?
I have found the gold or blue variety available but I have pending commissioned work requiring the Black variety.
Any leads or reasonable offerings would be gratefully accepted.
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The Aussie dealers in Quartzsite bring in the Goldstone material every year but I have never seen them have any black. They normally only have the Green Red and Blue. They go by the name "Rough and Tumble". I have his card with his number in Australia that I can try to find if you don't have any luck but again I have never seen them with any Black and I personally have never seen it in that color.
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have never seen black. maybe the dark blue is what they want?
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There is a purple that looks black unless in bright sun.
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Good luck! I've seen beads made with it on etsy, and a few cabochons, like these: https://www.etsy.com/listing/176838500/goldstone-black-goldstone-goldstone?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=goldstone%20black&ref=sr_gallery_2
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I forgot about the Purple, I have seen that sold once. I think the Purple and Green are the best colors for it. Seeing the Red always reminds me of my first tumbler as a kid.
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My wife picked out a chunk of the purple from the Aussies this year. Its the first time I've seen that color myself, but they had a whole bin full. Like Orrum said it looks black until its in bright light. I haven't cut it yet.
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I knapped a arrowhead out of the purple and it's was off the wowser scale.
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The trouble i have been running into is i am working from 40+ year old supplies that my father and I picked up in the 70-80,s. Some of the material I'm using is nearly nonexistent anymore. I have enough Black Goldstone for two pendants and a few chip earrings. I know for certain the Blue, Green, and Red are still produced small quantities. But the Black is, well I'm just not sure, but I am sure there is still old stock out there!
The Black is as mentioned by above poster is available in bead form and occasionally a skull carving! I will keep scouring the net and looking for more stock. I have one pendant finished and it is beyond description, I will post photos soon. The stone is very easy to work with as it is essentially just colored glass.
I discovered a glass working forum that several users melt the goldstone down and draw it out into various shapes, I wonder if they could melt beads into one mass large enough for my use? ! Wouldn't that be an interesting thing!!! Thanks for all the replies, I hope to share my finished cabochons soon!
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Black goldstone does exist. Some of the very dark blue almost looks black, but there is a rare piece of true black. I just shot a quick video link of a bracelet that I made with it. I shot the video under incandescent light, so the color of the sparkles is wrong. In most light they appear gold/copper in color. - This bracelet is much more stunning than this video, or any of my attempts to photograph it have revealed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbT_Cs5FdRw
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Know as Monk stone, From the original source. Monks in Italy. Others have tried to copy it.
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Moving this to the proper forum.
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Came across a couple of small pieces here while looking for something else: http://www.facetsandfrosting.com/gem--jewelry-supplies (http://www.facetsandfrosting.com/gem--jewelry-supplies)
You might also contact a couple of dealers who sell knapping supplies either at shows or online. They may not have anything on-hand, but will have catalogs or suppliers from which they may be able to order for you.
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http://www.outbackmining.com/ (http://www.outbackmining.com/)
This is the link to Glenn Archers site, Australian Outback Mining (the Australians who come to Quartzsite). The store is currently closed until they get back from mining, however.
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I kind of remember Jerrys Rocks & Gems in Kent has rough, may try asking them?
Jerry′s Rock and Gem
804 West Valley Hwy
Kent Washington
98032
E-Mail Address
jerrysrockandgem@msn.com
Phone Number
253-852-0539
FAX Number
253-859-1287
Store Hours
Monday-Friday
10:00 am - 5:30 pm PST
Saturday
10:00 am - 4:30 pm PST
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I have seen black goldstone advertised as such at Quartzsite in past years, and it was indeed black. I have no memory of who the seller was tho. Sorry, that's not much help.
TKC
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Why? My dad cabbed stone on a flat lap back in the 70's. The stuff looked like the gold flake on a 55 Pontiac. I did not develop an aesthetic attachment then, so I still think this stuff has less than appeal presently. I am really understating here!
Mike