I combine shipping. USPS Ground, usually about $6.

If you keep working this material you will stumble across color bars that are worth serious money. I strongly advise you to practice on color bars like these before you grind into that.


Cutting stones with stacked layers is a great effect, but I always grind down to a specific layer. The triangle shaped stone has a bright brassy layer that shows a highlight of jewel color. That needs to be investigated. The big oval makes a good case for a layered cab, but it needs to be centered. In the process take a close look at layer number 4.



Fire obsidian is time consuming to photograph so I haven't been putting it up lately. It also doesn't sell for much and I blame that on the cartel that controls the market. It's a lot of fun to play with and produces unique and beautiful stones so I took the time to take some images. Also, it really makes the members of the cartel angry when I list it and that makes me happy. I don't have a problem with anyone who takes the time to file a legitimate mining claim. The key word is "legitimate". 

This is a complex issue and it's hard to like the BLM but their mission in this case was to ensure fair access to anyone who wanted to rockhound in this one very special area. I don't see this as a case of the federal government impeding private enterprise. It seems to be private enterprise stealing access to a public resource that has been enjoyed by thousands of people for longer than any of us have been alive. Could this be a case for a qui tam action? Any lapidary lawyers out there want to help cause the good kind of trouble?

Fortunately this beloved material is still out there in private collections and the stuff from days gone by is superior to what's coming out of the ground right now. Did Granddad leave behind mysterious black rocks when he passed? Contact me and I'll help you figure what you got and help you get fair market value for your legacy. Some rocks belong in the yard and some belong in a museum. If you choose to work with me I will involve you in the process every step of the way.

_________________________________________________
Fire obsidian is caused by this film efflorescent diffusion. It is exactly the same phenomena that makes rainbows when there a film of oil on top of water, except in this case it was concentrated magnetite that flowed out over molten glass/obsidian. From the edge you see thin gray layers, sometimes twisted like food coloring in pulled toffee. Oriented correctly the gray layers show off otherworldly colors, picture patterns and geometric patterns and high intensity metallic mirrors.