Snakes and Stones

Photo #172
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_of9aju.jpg
A few local river rocks with some interesting patterns.

I have pictures of them in their original state somewhere (can just barely see the markings ), I have too many photos and not enough time to find them though. :)

Photo #173
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...dt7ownygnw.jpg
Some light shades of moonstone.

Photo #174
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ruuaxmonvm.jpg
Utah Wonderstone (same mineral as Photo #10).
It is a volcanic rock that is produced by particles of glass being fused together and then compressed by overlying rock and stained with iron oxide ground water over time.
The particular material I purchased (cheap of course) has very large particles which creates pores (lots of them).
Tumbling this material is easy...polishing it is hard. I have tried different techniques to polish, and I never seem to get past a certain level. However, a quick review of listings on Etsy for people working the same type of stone I have...would indicate that I did a damn fine job. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #174 ....a quick review of listings on Etsy for people working the same type of stone I have...would indicate that I did a damn fine job. ;)

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I'll say you did! They're beautiful!

Wow they so cool[emoji7][emoji7][emoji106][emoji106]

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'll say you did! They're beautiful!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Wow they so cool

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Thank you!
Thank you!

The next photo came out a little off-balance.
Photo #175
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_wdg6wj.jpg
I was hoping to get the snake to form a 'U' facing the camera between the rutilated quartz and the chevron amethyst.
Unfortunately all the photos of my target pose were out of focus and/or the snake turned to look in the opposite direction.
I sold this snake prior to reviewing the photos...so I'm out of luck for a reshoot...:)

I was at a Michaels craft store the other night, Halloween is always great because I have a much wider range of snake-themed decorations to examine.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_xf3zaq.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_dpev0f.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_b9x65f.jpg
Unfortunately all of my reptile room space is enclosures with no human decor...but, it is still nice to look...:)

Photo #176
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...cfqf3adhbn.jpg
Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan, this was my pilot piece for polish...it was much more difficult than I anticipated...seems like varied hardness between the striations in the stone.
The stress fracture in the center was my fault due to insufficient moisture in the vibe from a piece of sandstone rapidly deteriorating.
I had to switch from small gravel based to large ceramic-based media in the vibe for this one.
Sharp eyes might see some flecks of pyrite in there.

So I was at my local Home Depot a while back and noticed they had bags of cheap landscaping rocks with some barely noticeable 'banding' in them (image shown below). https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...nxdwhgtza7.jpg
They look like sandstone. Wasn't sure if they would tumble/polish...for a couple bucks: I didn't mind the experiment.
Note: Pay no mind to my painfully swollen hand in the photo above (compliments of my 3rd C-19 vaccine shot).

Photo #177
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...aip9d99bsd.jpg
Tumbled and vibed they have a 'wet look', but, no sheen or reflective polish. No surprise for a sedimentary rock.
I'm still pleased with the final outcome. :)

I like how those came out too. Not your hand so much, though- :D I just got my third too, & no issues other than some soreness in my arm like any flu shot would be. I'd accept the side effects anyway though, over "the alternative". Besides, I find other "creative" ways to beat up my hands & all- been doing lots of yard work lately (trimming very abrasive shrubs that fight back, etc)- I don't always notice even when I'm bleeding, lol. I do hope your hand feels better soon- honestly I would have just thought it was the camera angle if you hadn't mentioned it.