“It comes from South Africa,” he told me of this tiger eye sphere, this dealer from Toronto, Canada. The spheres were beautiful – and larger than I had ever seen. Most tiger eye for sales in rough is one to three inches thick. These spheres had been made from pieces five to six inches thick. I have a good deal of rough tiger eye, but none large enough to make spheres this big, He explained that he has rough rock this size but that it had been held up in customs. I hope his rough arrives before we leave Quartzsite! Today is the last day of the Pow Wow gem and mineral show. We have had a fun time. There truly are rocks and dealers from all over the world.
Amber, often sold as a gem stone is actually a fossil of tree resin. I worked this free form with sand paper and buffed it with denim cloth. We are here in Quartzsite for the 50 th annual Pow Wow rock and gem show. We created added an Amber Information page to our site to learn more, check it out http://bustinglassandminerals.com/educational-topicsfaq/amber-information/
Australian Turquoise Pendant in 1″ square silver tray
“Turquoise from Australia,” she answered, as I enquired what this blue-green stone was. That was several years ago in Quartzsite. The dealer was selling for a German mining company this secondary mineral. Miners looking for a “primary” mineral, say copper or silver, may find associated or “secondary” minerals, like this turquoise. The secondary minerals often end up in places like Quartzsite for lapidary enthusiasts like us. I like working with this “turquoise” because its black matrix of iron pyrite/hematite gives it strength and it does not need to be stabilized as with most turquoise. I bought about a hundred pounds and got a better price. I have never seen this rock again. And that is the fun of Quartzsite. Each year there is something unique to be discovered. Setting up today for the 50th Pow Wow Rock show at the QIA which starts Wednesday.
