(via Wahroongai News, Vol 30, No.4, April, 1996) Grahame Brown writes:
Mtorolite is a rare green chrome chalcedony that occurs in one location in the world: Zimbabwe. Here it occurs as horizontally pitched veins that intrude decomposed serpentine bordering the Great Dyke. Although commercially mined out, it is considered that significant reserves remain to challenge the diligent fossicker. Better quality mtorolite can be faceted; but mostly this attractive chrome chalcedony is cabochoned or carved.
According to Ian Campbel (pp 19-23) in the October 95 issue of The South African Gemmologist, mtorolite was named for the Mtoroshanga of Zimbabwe, the district that hosts the only known occurrence of this gem material in the world. The greenish hues possible in this chalcedony depend on its Cr:Ni content, while the saturation of its green color depends of its Cr content. For example, dark green good quality evenly colored mtorolite has 0.04% Cr and 0.02% Ni, while pale green variegated mtorolite has 0.205 Cr and <0.01% Ni.
Mtorolite has colors that vary from a saturated chrome green to pale grayish green hue; a specific gravity of 2.57 – 2.60; a spot RI of 1.54. It has a pinkish to reddish Chelsea Filter reaction and is inert to both LW and SW UV.
Friday, March 16, 2007
The World’s Finest Minerals And Crystals
By Peter Bancroft
The Viking Press, Inc
1973 SBN 670-79022-2
The Viking Press writes:
The collecting, cutting and polishing of minerals is one of the largest and fastest growing hobbies in the world. In spite of the wide popularity of this activity and the generations of scientific study devoted to mineralogy, there is no known formula for determining the best example of a particular mineral species. Rare and valuable specimens of legendary beauty are scattered n collections around the world. Some are in museums where they may be enjoyed by those people lucky enough to be able to travel to see them; others are in private hands and are seldom seen by the public.
In The World’s Finest Minerals and Crystals, Dr Peter Bancroft has brought together a series of magnificent photographs of outstanding minerals nominated for acclaim by enthusiasts all over the world. A distinguished international panel of judges has participated in choosing the very finest examples for inclusions in the Gallery of plates. In his text, Dr Bancroft tells just how this gallery was selected. He explains how minerals are formed and where they are found, and how some of the world’s finest collections were begun. Modern methods of collecting and conservation are also discussed. Fine minerals are growing increasingly rare, and Dr Bancroft reviews the dangers that threaten both natural sources and specimens already housed in important collections. The notes that accompany each plate describe the history and characteristics of the pictured specimen, tell where other fine examples may be seen, and describe the locations around the globe in which these minerals originate.
The book provides a unique opportunity to view the world’s greatest mineral treasures brought together in a superb gallery of photographs that bring out all the rich glow and sparkle of the originals, and the text takes the reader adventuring abroad to exotic locations in the fascinating realm of mineral collection.
About the author
Dr Peter Bancroft is a collector of minerals, and has lectured in mineralogy in the United States, Bolivia, Brazil, and Australia and has contributed articles to Lapidary Journal and other magazines in this field.
The Viking Press, Inc
1973 SBN 670-79022-2
The Viking Press writes:
The collecting, cutting and polishing of minerals is one of the largest and fastest growing hobbies in the world. In spite of the wide popularity of this activity and the generations of scientific study devoted to mineralogy, there is no known formula for determining the best example of a particular mineral species. Rare and valuable specimens of legendary beauty are scattered n collections around the world. Some are in museums where they may be enjoyed by those people lucky enough to be able to travel to see them; others are in private hands and are seldom seen by the public.
In The World’s Finest Minerals and Crystals, Dr Peter Bancroft has brought together a series of magnificent photographs of outstanding minerals nominated for acclaim by enthusiasts all over the world. A distinguished international panel of judges has participated in choosing the very finest examples for inclusions in the Gallery of plates. In his text, Dr Bancroft tells just how this gallery was selected. He explains how minerals are formed and where they are found, and how some of the world’s finest collections were begun. Modern methods of collecting and conservation are also discussed. Fine minerals are growing increasingly rare, and Dr Bancroft reviews the dangers that threaten both natural sources and specimens already housed in important collections. The notes that accompany each plate describe the history and characteristics of the pictured specimen, tell where other fine examples may be seen, and describe the locations around the globe in which these minerals originate.
The book provides a unique opportunity to view the world’s greatest mineral treasures brought together in a superb gallery of photographs that bring out all the rich glow and sparkle of the originals, and the text takes the reader adventuring abroad to exotic locations in the fascinating realm of mineral collection.
About the author
Dr Peter Bancroft is a collector of minerals, and has lectured in mineralogy in the United States, Bolivia, Brazil, and Australia and has contributed articles to Lapidary Journal and other magazines in this field.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
How Do You Value A "Free" Customer?
Sometimes a valuable customer may be the person who never buys a thing, but in a networked setting a free customer may have considerable influence.
Read on to learn more @ http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5595.html
Read on to learn more @ http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5595.html
The Aviator
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Professor Fitz (Ian Holm): Well, the cumulonimbus formations about which you speak that look like...
Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio): Giant breasts full of milk. I want clouds, damn it.
Professor Fitz (Ian Holm): Yes, clouds that look like giant breasts full of milk, cannot exactly be guaranteed for any particular occasion. So you might have to... to wait.
Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio): Then we'll wait. Look, whatever they pay you at UCLA I'm doubling it, all right? You work for me now. Find some clouds. Find some clouds! Find me some clouds!
Hell's Angels Pilot (Justin Shilton): Welcome to Hell's Angels.
Professor Fitz (Ian Holm): Well, the cumulonimbus formations about which you speak that look like...
Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio): Giant breasts full of milk. I want clouds, damn it.
Professor Fitz (Ian Holm): Yes, clouds that look like giant breasts full of milk, cannot exactly be guaranteed for any particular occasion. So you might have to... to wait.
Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio): Then we'll wait. Look, whatever they pay you at UCLA I'm doubling it, all right? You work for me now. Find some clouds. Find some clouds! Find me some clouds!
Hell's Angels Pilot (Justin Shilton): Welcome to Hell's Angels.
Pocket LED Light Sources For Gemologists
(via The Canadian Gemmologist)
Significant strides have been made in the quality and availability of pocket sized LED applications for gemological applications. Conventional lighting is by no means obsolete in the study of gemology. But now with so many models from which to choose, pocket LED light sources certainly have their place.
Read on to learn more @
www.equipped.com/led_lights.htm
http://www.howstuffworks.com
http://www.led-lenser.com
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.nichia.co.jp
http://www.photonlight.com
www.physics.ubc.ca/~outreach/phys420/p420_95/mark/htheory.html
http://www.scotgem.demon.co.uk
Contact Sources In Canada
Active Surplus, 347 Queen St. W., Toronto. 416-593-0909
-Electronic components, including diodes; Pocket laser pointers; Scientific glassware such as Petri dishes, beakers, etc.
Canadian Gemmological Association, 1767 Avenue Rd, Toronto. 416-785-0962
-Nebula LW UV pocket LED
Efstonscience, 3350 Dufferin St., Toronto. 1-800-777-5255 for mail order
-Electronic components, including colored diodes by special request; Laser pocket LEDs; LW UV pocket LED
Marathon Sports Ltd., 367 King St. W., Toronto. 416-593-5850
-A good selection of Photon®Microlights (LW UV by request)
Mountain Equipment Co-op, 400 King St. W., Toronto. 416-340-2667
-Photon®I Microlight only (white, blue, yellow, red)
Lee Valley Tools, various locations. 1-800-267-8767 for mail order in Canada.
-Photonpump®VI Moonlenser in white, blue and red; Flexible Neck Lamps in white, large and small models
Vistek, 496 Queens St. E., Toronto. 416-365-1777
- Lee Filters Series of photographic gels
Significant strides have been made in the quality and availability of pocket sized LED applications for gemological applications. Conventional lighting is by no means obsolete in the study of gemology. But now with so many models from which to choose, pocket LED light sources certainly have their place.
Read on to learn more @
www.equipped.com/led_lights.htm
http://www.howstuffworks.com
http://www.led-lenser.com
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.nichia.co.jp
http://www.photonlight.com
www.physics.ubc.ca/~outreach/phys420/p420_95/mark/htheory.html
http://www.scotgem.demon.co.uk
Contact Sources In Canada
Active Surplus, 347 Queen St. W., Toronto. 416-593-0909
-Electronic components, including diodes; Pocket laser pointers; Scientific glassware such as Petri dishes, beakers, etc.
Canadian Gemmological Association, 1767 Avenue Rd, Toronto. 416-785-0962
-Nebula LW UV pocket LED
Efstonscience, 3350 Dufferin St., Toronto. 1-800-777-5255 for mail order
-Electronic components, including colored diodes by special request; Laser pocket LEDs; LW UV pocket LED
Marathon Sports Ltd., 367 King St. W., Toronto. 416-593-5850
-A good selection of Photon®Microlights (LW UV by request)
Mountain Equipment Co-op, 400 King St. W., Toronto. 416-340-2667
-Photon®I Microlight only (white, blue, yellow, red)
Lee Valley Tools, various locations. 1-800-267-8767 for mail order in Canada.
-Photonpump®VI Moonlenser in white, blue and red; Flexible Neck Lamps in white, large and small models
Vistek, 496 Queens St. E., Toronto. 416-365-1777
- Lee Filters Series of photographic gels
Contemporary Costume Jewelry
By Elyse Sommer
George Allen & Unwin Ltd
1974 ISBN 0-04730026-4
George Allen & Unwin writes:
For anyone who wants to create stunning and imaginative jewelry with a minimum of skill and expense, Elyse Sommer’s new book provides a wealth of inspiring ideas. Here, in a new look at an ancient craft, the author explores the infinite potential of jewelry making, revealing how a combination of unusual methods and materials can work for the artist to give fullest expression to his ideas. The beginner is launched into creative designing with some eye-opening suggestions for recycling antique store and flea market items such as ivory piano keys, crystal chandelier parts and brass stampings into charming and sophisticated jewelry worthy of the most elegant boutique.
The budding jeweler is told where to find and how to use the proper stringing materials and findings; drilling, sawing, bending, and finishing tools. A discussion of solderless methods, including a multimedia adhesive chart, completes this definitive chapter on tools and supplies. The author then goes on to introduce some of the most popular materials with which to create multimedia jewelry. She describes with the help of invaluable step-by-step photographs, the most common wire-working techniques, such as bending, twisting, looping, hammering, and wire crocheting. Demonstration projects range from a simple wire choker to beautiful necklaces and earrings of twisted wire and beads.
Metal jewelry examples include objects of copper, brass and silver being cut, pierced, shaped, filed, and inlaid to produce gorgeous body ornaments. The author shows why wood is such a versatile medium, lending itself to the creating of alluring pendants, brilliantly dyed beads, even combs and miniature sculptures to wear. Other media extensively discussed are glass, plastics, clay (firing and non-firing), fabrics, fibers, leather, paper, and natural materials.
Contemporary Costume Jewelry is the ideal book for all artists and craftsmen, experienced or not, who would like to fashion one-of-a-kind jewelry from simple materials. Whether it is a silver ring accented with a touch of tooled copper; a necklace made of felt patchwork, embroidered burlap or wrapped yarn; a watchcase made from a real eggshell; a bold and daring papier-mache necklace; or a pendant made from an old ivory mah-jongg tile, a host of exquisite creations await the follower of Elyse Sommer’s clear and easy-to-follow instructions.
George Allen & Unwin Ltd
1974 ISBN 0-04730026-4
George Allen & Unwin writes:
For anyone who wants to create stunning and imaginative jewelry with a minimum of skill and expense, Elyse Sommer’s new book provides a wealth of inspiring ideas. Here, in a new look at an ancient craft, the author explores the infinite potential of jewelry making, revealing how a combination of unusual methods and materials can work for the artist to give fullest expression to his ideas. The beginner is launched into creative designing with some eye-opening suggestions for recycling antique store and flea market items such as ivory piano keys, crystal chandelier parts and brass stampings into charming and sophisticated jewelry worthy of the most elegant boutique.
The budding jeweler is told where to find and how to use the proper stringing materials and findings; drilling, sawing, bending, and finishing tools. A discussion of solderless methods, including a multimedia adhesive chart, completes this definitive chapter on tools and supplies. The author then goes on to introduce some of the most popular materials with which to create multimedia jewelry. She describes with the help of invaluable step-by-step photographs, the most common wire-working techniques, such as bending, twisting, looping, hammering, and wire crocheting. Demonstration projects range from a simple wire choker to beautiful necklaces and earrings of twisted wire and beads.
Metal jewelry examples include objects of copper, brass and silver being cut, pierced, shaped, filed, and inlaid to produce gorgeous body ornaments. The author shows why wood is such a versatile medium, lending itself to the creating of alluring pendants, brilliantly dyed beads, even combs and miniature sculptures to wear. Other media extensively discussed are glass, plastics, clay (firing and non-firing), fabrics, fibers, leather, paper, and natural materials.
Contemporary Costume Jewelry is the ideal book for all artists and craftsmen, experienced or not, who would like to fashion one-of-a-kind jewelry from simple materials. Whether it is a silver ring accented with a touch of tooled copper; a necklace made of felt patchwork, embroidered burlap or wrapped yarn; a watchcase made from a real eggshell; a bold and daring papier-mache necklace; or a pendant made from an old ivory mah-jongg tile, a host of exquisite creations await the follower of Elyse Sommer’s clear and easy-to-follow instructions.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
A History Told In Beads
Two Pakistani artisans explain and demonstrate the time and energy involved in their bead making. They can make copies of ancient beads with the same quality of the originals. This is good news, because this helps collectors get very good replicas without having to loot archaeological sites.
Read on to learn more @ http://www.lapidaryjournal.com/feature/299str.cfm
Read on to learn more @ http://www.lapidaryjournal.com/feature/299str.cfm
L.A. Confidential
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Sid Hudgens (Danny DeVito): Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush. Come to Los Angeles! The sun shines bright, the beaches are wide and inviting, and the orange groves stretch as far as the eye can see. There are jobs aplenty, and land is cheap. Every working man can have his own house, and inside every house, a happy, all-American family. You can have all this, and who knows... you could even be discovered, become a movie star... or at least see one. Life is good in Los Angeles... it's paradise on Earth." Ha ha ha ha. That's what they tell you, anyway.
Sid Hudgens (Danny DeVito): Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush. Come to Los Angeles! The sun shines bright, the beaches are wide and inviting, and the orange groves stretch as far as the eye can see. There are jobs aplenty, and land is cheap. Every working man can have his own house, and inside every house, a happy, all-American family. You can have all this, and who knows... you could even be discovered, become a movie star... or at least see one. Life is good in Los Angeles... it's paradise on Earth." Ha ha ha ha. That's what they tell you, anyway.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)