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timidtiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2007
Posts: 180 |  Posted: 2009-06-30 04:58 am Permalink
Thanks for the ideas VANTIKI. I don't think it is serpentine as it cannot be scratched with a steel point, but I hadn't thought of the dye issue. I'll put a piece in the direct sunlight today and another under a UV lamp to see what happens. I'll post the results here. If anyone one out there has a refractometer that might work on this material, I'll be glad to send them a piece for testing and their own carving pleasure. Happy carving, timid
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wentiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Apr 20, 2008
Posts: 48 | Posted: 2009-06-30 07:14 am Permalink
Bowenite (a serpentine variety) is often hard enough to not be scratched by steel. If there is gradation in the material that's another strong indicator.
Some forms of nephrite, especially older/chemically altered pieces, may be scratched. Based on that vaseline-y translucency though I'd still go with the above.
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Benzart
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 09, 2004
Posts: 10306
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
| Posted: 2009-06-30 08:08 am Permalink
Thanks Wentiki, the dye info is good stuff, didn't think about that at all. I guess in the synthetic stones they Must use some kind of dye, and maybe those oily dark spots are dye that was not thoroughly mixed in. Don't know as I am Ignorant to the process.
Thanks mush for the input.
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seeksurf
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 27, 2007
Posts: 2144
From: Buckley, WA
| Posted: 2009-06-30 8:56 pm Permalink
Looking sharp Benz! I don't know stone, but I'm sure
you are making it look easy.
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Benzart
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 09, 2004
Posts: 10306
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
| Posted: 2009-06-30 10:20 pm Permalink
I was too tired to type anything last night and kept falling asleep and having to back out multiple lines of trash DMMMMMMMWWWWWWWWWWWJJJJJJJI{{{{{JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
I feel better this morning after fighting with this piece yesterday though I am not very happy with it. This stone is difficult to get the fine detail in as it seems grainy and has soft pockets and hard ones all over and through out the stone. I imagine that every batch will be different though so cannot make any hasty judgements. Still have a long way to go with this guy though.
later
 
 
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[ This Message was edited by: Benzart 2009-07-01 08:18 ]
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hiltiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 10, 2004
Posts: 2774
From: Reseda, calif.
| Posted: 2009-06-30 10:35 pm Permalink
Just perfect.
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nuKKe
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 13, 2005
Posts: 172
From: Tel Aviv, Israel
| Posted: 2009-06-30 10:38 pm Permalink
ditto.
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tikisbytyler
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 16, 2008
Posts: 190
From: Neptune Beach, Florida
| Posted: 2009-07-01 07:52 am Permalink
As always, Benz truly beautiful work!
Eventually I'll work up the cojones to attempt some stone work.
You guys around here make it look so easy, when I know it's not so.
After the little bit of bone I've hacked at I'm in awe at the fluidity of your lines, especially in the moko and around the eyes. Truly stunning. Can't wait to see more.
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Benzart
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 09, 2004
Posts: 10306
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
| Posted: 2009-07-01 08:11 am Permalink
Thanks Seeks, I'm making it look esay just for you, it really Is hard.
Hiltiki Thanks and you too nuKKe, Always appreciate kind words.
Tyler thanks, and it Really is easier than it looks, just remember to keep the diamonds cool and let'er Rip!
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Benzart
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 09, 2004
Posts: 10306
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
| Posted: 2009-07-04 04:48 am Permalink
I'm waiting on some sharper diamonds I have on the way to finish this guy. He has really been challenging , but fun to work on. Meanwhile after I finish a few household projects with Sherry, I can get back to work, Any suggestions?
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big daddy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 02, 2008
Posts: 325
From: houston
| Posted: 2009-07-04 08:08 am Permalink
damn benz,
you should have trouble with your pieces all the time. the little jade maori is amazing and once again - a beautiful piece.
bd
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finkdaddy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 11, 2004
Posts: 2050
From: Wisconsin
| Posted: 2009-07-04 08:11 am Permalink
Ben, even the stuff you're not happy with is a million times better than I could ever do! 
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TikiMango
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 17, 2008
Posts: 798
From: Satellite Beach, FL
| Posted: 2009-07-04 4:56 pm Permalink
I'm not happy with it either... send it my way to get it out of your sight!
Truly, a gorgeous piece! We fellow carvers dare to aspire...
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kingstiedye
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 05, 2005
Posts: 1229
From: sackatomato
| Posted: 2009-07-04 5:15 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-07-04 04:48, Benzart wrote:
Meanwhile after I finish a few household projects with Sherry, I can get back to work, Any suggestions?
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lono! LoNo! LONO LONNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!
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Paipo
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 22, 2006
Posts: 1886
From: Aotearoa / NZ
| Posted: 2009-07-04 6:51 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-06-30 07:14, wentiki wrote:
Bowenite (a serpentine variety) is often hard enough to not be scratched by steel. If there is gradation in the material that's another strong indicator.
Some forms of nephrite, especially older/chemically altered pieces, may be scratched. Based on that vaseline-y translucency though I'd still go with the above.
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Having worked some of this synthetic stone, and with 10 years or so of working various jades and most of the well-known "alikes", I am certain this is not serpentine or bowenite. I posted info describing how it (synthetic jadeite) is manufactured in the stone Q+A thread (where this discussion really belongs - sorry Ben!), but no-one seems to want to believe it!
Ben, you've done a great job with the engraving because this "stone" is HARD, at least compared to what I use most of the time. I don't think I'd even attempt surface decoration on this stuff.
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