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[Enchantra]

Now I will preface this with a note here.
I understand certain materials command a higher price.  I understand larger cabs depending on material will cost more.  However I saw this cab posted on Facebook, saw the price they are asking for it, and about died from shock.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152730762326939&set=gm.720457444739415&type=1&theater

That said it is a large cab of labradorite.  I saw cabs that size of comparable quality at Tucson and Quartzite for FAR LESS money. ($60 - $180)

However I have to ask how one can price a cab like this at $400 and expect to get it when it's not even rare material??  If this were Quantum Quattro, Sugilite, Boulder Opal, Congo Malachite druzy, or even Namibian Pietersite I could feasibly understand a price like this on a finished cab.  However Labradorite is found in several areas and isn't exactly what I would call "rare."

[hummingbirdstones]

Depends.  That is an extremely large cab of what looks to be Spectrolite.  Yes, it is labradorite, but from Finland, where it is called Spectrolite.  Only place in the world that I know of where Labradorite has those colors.  It is rare in that regard.  Very difficult to get rough of Spectrolite here and it is very expensive if you can.  Kurt may chime in here on this.  He is the only person I know of who has cut cabs of Spectrolite.  I have a couple of pieces of rough that I haven't cut just because I can't find any more.

[Gergis]

I saw that cab also and thought it was quite a scam..

[Enchantra]

There used to be someone on George's forum who would hit old abandoned garnet mines in Northern NY state in the Adirondack Mtn region and he would get some spectacular pieces of what he called Spectrolite, some had color structures that looked like lattice formations, some were striped in parallel lines, and others had the same all over color sampling as on that cab.  Gorgeous stuff.  Now and then he would put some up for sale, and I don't ever remember his stuff being overly pricey - even in cab form.  I cannot remember his name, and I know he hasn't been around in a while either.

[adovbs]

Personally, I think if she can get that price, more power to her.  If it's too high, no one will buy it and she will either keep it or lower her prices, I guess.  It definitely prices it out of MY range, for sure, and I love labradorite (spectrolite) but that's life.  (Boohoo!)   

I must say I do get tired of seeing stuff on the market that doesn't anywhere near reflect the time, effort, and experience that went into creating it.  Mostly from outfits overseas where labor is cheap and protections for employees few, but also here from folks in the states who for whatever reason (undervaluing their time, not having access to fair markets, low confidence) don't even make minimum wage on what they do end up selling.  What lapidarists do is part craft, part science, and part art.  Hard to put a fair price tag on that sometimes. 

[iceopals]

I too have some spectrolite rough that I have been sitting on.  I gather that it is very directional in the cut?

[Phishisgroovin]

I won't sell my tipi jasper cab for less than $400

[Gergis]

Whats the tipi jasper look like randy?

[adovbs]

Whats the tipi jasper look like randy?

Yes!  Nosy minds want to seeeeeeee!!!!!   

[Phishisgroovin]

 

PERFECT glass like polishing front and back, i worked on it for three weeks. wasting around 6 each of 100 and 600 belts.

[Gergis]

Thats alotta belts!! Looks real nice!! Wouldnt it be more a jasper agate with the translucency?

[adovbs]

Ah, so that's the one in your avatar pic, but set in silver!  It's beautimous!  I wouldn't want to let it go, either!

[ScarlettOSara]

Double Wow Wow. What a beauty Phish:) She is worth every cent you spent on her.
Beauty like hers doesnt come along everyday:)

[iceopals]

LOVE seeing it backlit!!   

[Phishisgroovin]

Ah, so that's the one in your avatar pic, but set in silver!  It's beautimous!  I wouldn't want to let it go, either!

no, this is the one in my avatar