Snakes and Stones

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Originally Posted by Ascended

Awesome as usual.
But Ok, No Idea what they are. Guess at the snake - anatharistic mojave maybe butter/pastel too? Mineral, you will have to educate me.

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Thanks,

The snake ID is a difficult one. I purchased him at a reptile Expo a decade or so ago from a basement breeder and he was marked as 'Firefly?'. The breeder was selling him because 'he only produces bad eggs'...luckily I have had no issue. With me he is a proven Fire/Pastel, but, none of his offspring match his color. It has not aligned with my project goals to try and prove if he has any additional recessive genes of interest.

The rock is Stone Canyon Jasper (California). The snake pictured has a large head, so the stone is a decent size...due to the 'healing lines' in the rock: it is tough to tumble a larger piece without fractures. :)

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #75

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e4dlrw7ky5.jpg

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You really have an amazing artistic eye for picking the right snake/stone combos. This is another of my very faves of yours.

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Originally Posted by nikkubus

You really have an amazing artistic eye for picking the right snake/stone combos. This is another of my very faves of yours.

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Mine too, I just didn't mention it before. ;)

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Originally Posted by nikkubus

You really have an amazing artistic eye for picking the right snake/stone combos. This is another of my very faves of yours.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Mine too, I just didn't mention it before. ;)

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Thank you, Thank you. This photo turned out better than expected--sometimes I get lucky.

My high school art teacher always told me that I get an 'A' for effort and an 'F' for execution. Thankfully I was scored in art based on effort....:oops:

Photo #77

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...p7nxe2jszp.jpg

In the area around my house there is a proliferation of Feldspar (same material as Photo #7), when tumbled I can sort the pieces into: The Greys, Blue-Greys, and Everything Else.
Here are some Grey pieces.
Nothing was included for scale, but, the ball python is a 4 year old female. :)

Photo #78

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...fqkpveg43f.jpg

Here are some Blue-Grey pieces. :)

Photo #79

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...vs2dius5kg.jpg

'Everything Else' feldspars. :)

Photo #80

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...uf0mial4gm.jpg
Green = Chrysocolla (Arizona)
Orangey = Petrified Wood (Arizona)
Brown = Smokey Quartz (India)
Snake = Black Pastel Het Pied

Note: I didn't round out the petrified wood too much because I thought it looked neat-as is. :)

Photo #81

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e6sj1tkib5.jpg
Topaz from Brazil. Definitely not facet grade material (especially for what I paid for it). The darker pieces of topaz (Photo #104) are often labeled as 'Imperial Topaz'. Due to the clarity of the material it is easy to see imperfections inside the stone...this same clarity and increased scratch resistance makes Topaz perfect for jewelry.

I have so many quartz varieties that sometimes I mix up topaz with other stones. Quartz (Mohs 7 hardness) is unable to scratch Topaz (Mohs 8), but, it is not the best ID method for polished stones because I will scratch the stone if I am wrong. Sometimes the internal fracture pattern is the easiest method to ID without a semi-destructive test. :)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...cn9rmsk2hp.jpg
Side note: I had originally bought Topaz in bulk from Brazil with the intent to use it as filler in my rotary tumbling barrels (since it is harder than most materials and wears down slower), unfortunately increased hardness comes with increased brittleness and Topaz is prone to shatter while rock tumbling...so I cannot use it for this purpose...

Oh, and as for the snake: Don't let the head stamp fool you, this is a Wild Type ('Normal') from a proof cross, no currently acknowledged morph genes present.

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Oh, and as for the snake: Don't let the head stamp fool you, this is a Wild Type ('Normal') from a proof cross, no currently acknowledged morph genes present.

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Whatever is going on with him/her is pretty cool. It sounds like you have at least proved it to be heritable if this is the offspring. Reminds me a bit or orange dream or JKR's peach project.

Also, really cool info about quartz and topaz. I didn't know any of that.

Photo #82

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...kpadmqxyuv.jpg

All the photos for this set came out a little blurry...too much reflection from the sodalite (blue/white stone).
Ball Python is a Pastel Het Axanthic.

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #82...All the photos for this set came out a little blurry...too much reflection from the sodalite (blue/white stone)...

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I don't think you'll hear us complaining...;) It's quite nice.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I don't think you'll hear us complaining...;) It's quite nice.

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Thanks! I just remembered why I had such trouble with this photo: This particular batch of sodalite I bought off a guy in Brazil is actually chatoyant (Chatoyant - adj. - showing a band of bright reflected light caused by aligned inclusions in the stone). Neat stuff if you are making a pendant or a necklace--I purchased this material labeled as 'fish tank gravel' so I was not expecting quality material...and I'm sure the seller would have adjusted the price if they had known...

I took a photo (shown below) last year as an example...the silver coloration is not visible unless hit with bright light, or a camera flash.


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/eB89HLB.jpg

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

I purchased this material labeled as 'fish tank gravel' so I was not expecting quality material.

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You got quite a nice haul for fish gravel :rofl:

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Originally Posted by nikkubus

You got quite a nice haul for fish gravel :rofl:

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I'll say you did! :gj:

Photo #83

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...w2eqffek1a.jpg

The snake is a single gene GHI.
These stones are some odds and ends that tumbled better than expected.
You may notice some of the rocks are types of stone that were also used in Photos #41, 43, and 63.
I did not realize it until I took it off my camera, this photo is among my favorites. :)

Photo #84

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...i5lzzes33a.jpg

Some larger pieces of local quartz and a non-obvious double het recessive ball python. :)

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #83

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...w2eqffek1a.jpg

The snake is a single gene GHI.
These stones are some odds and ends that tumbled better than expected.
You may notice some of the rocks are types of stone that were also used in Photos #41, 43, and 63.
I did not realize it until I took it off my camera, this photo is among my favorites. :)

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Yup, this one's definitely a "contender"! :colbert2:

Photo #85

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...qohbesfmmh.jpg

Some local granite and another Enchi Het Albino ball python.

Granite is not popular for rock tumbler enthusiasts, it is composed of quartz and feldspars of varying compositions. Since Quartz has a mohs hardness of 7 and Feldspar can have a range of hardness from 6.0-6.5...when tumbling granite the softest feldspar will wear down faster than the other materials and it will produce a textured service which will take a mottled polish (shown below). Again this is a situation where a diamond grinding wheel would be advantageous to completely smooth the stone, not in my budget though. :)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...0qpmzyed1x.jpg

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #85

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...qohbesfmmh.jpg

Some local granite and another Enchi Het Albino ball python.

Granite is not popular for rock tumbler enthusiasts, it is composed of quartz and feldspars of varying compositions. Since Quartz has a mohs hardness of 7 and Feldspar can have a range of hardness from 6.0-6.5...when tumbling granite the softest feldspar will wear down faster than the other materials and it will produce a textured service which will take a mottled polish (shown below). Again this is a situation where a diamond grinding wheel would be advantageous to completely smooth the stone, not in my budget though. :)

...

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You should have a speckled kingsnake (or better yet, a speckled rattlesnake) for this photo...;)

Photo #86

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...lfzckomcpg.jpg

Some of you may remember this photo: I posted it near Christmas last year.

The snake is a single gene Fire. I can tell by the scale sheen in the photo that this snake had just hatched.

I remember collecting this milky quartz with red iron banding at a section of the CT river, and a rather disagreeable encounter with a bald eagle. I think I dropped half the rocks I collected while fleeing. I regret not getting a photo of the bird, but, I was very dedicated to protecting my face/eyes. I returned to the location earlier this year (2021) and had no issue with eagle intervention. :)

That's gorgeous! BPs look really nice in orange-reds. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #86

Some of you may remember this photo: I posted it near Christmas last year.

The snake is a single gene Fire. I can tell by the scale sheen in the photo that this snake had just hatched.

I remember collecting this milky quartz with red iron banding at a section of the CT river, and a rather disagreeable encounter with a bald eagle. I think I dropped half the rocks I collected while fleeing. I regret not getting a photo of the bird, but, I was very dedicated to protecting my face/eyes. I returned to the location earlier this year (2021) and had no issue with eagle intervention. :)

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Even though it's a bit scary, it sounds like a fun adventure to remember. I wonder if it was a mamma with a nest nearby.

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Originally Posted by nikkubus

Even though it's a bit scary, it sounds like a fun adventure to remember. I wonder if it was a mamma with a nest nearby.

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I would assume it was a mama defending her nest or offspring. I recently tried to help* a blue jay chick that was blown out of the nest by strong winds, & boy was I dive-bombed by the parents! For trying to help, lol, so I can't imagine dealing with an eagle- Yikes! (*my dog actually found it first, & believe me, my intervention was necessary, but the parent jays sure didn't see it that way.)

Photo #87

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...vpa43rpzpd.jpg

Some common local grey granite-esque stones.
I thought an Axanthic in blue paired nicely. :)

Just got back from the Manchester, NH Reptile Expo today 6/27/21. I have attended every reptile expo there for years until C-19 hit, this is the first one I've been to in a while.

We were only there about 15 minutes total. 10 minutes was spent trying to explain to a non-english speaking vendor that I wanted to buy an insect cup full of 'Horn Worms' (as I waved my cash and pointed at them). However, he would not sell them to me until I called them 'Goliath Worms', fine, fine, whatever, same thing lol. :)

Took a few rushed photos of random critters shown below (amidst the human swarm). Many large ball python breeders in my area did not attend--I did not see anything too unusual to my eyes.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...kvc0uum5v8.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...udvjjljold.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ygw4ailpcv.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...cxhytm5ayd.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ljncc1jmug.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...lugj6sf4ky.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...rrckaphlhm.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...1kmdy4m8yy.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...msrriyp7qp.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...bhjtwoso4n.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...meuyomww7s.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...jewdq1wonl.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...hddnb8dgje.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m0bsuhai2y.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...b38y5bgebu.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...bgqrnhqdkf.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...x2ke35ckan.jpg

I only saw two snakes at the expo with the specific gene I wanted..one was $125 and the other was part of a $3K Banana combo from the same breeder...the last photo below is of my pickup ($125).
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...voxvcm4ms4.jpg
Pastel Blade Het Clown

Sorta looks like a Pastel OD, but, no surprise there...Blade, Enchi, and OD have a habit of getting mixed up on ID. :)

I guess we can forgive you for not including any stones, just this once. :D I really like those pale aqua frogs with the aqua feet! -what are on earth they?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I guess we can forgive you for not including any stones, just this once. :D I really like those pale aqua frogs with the aqua feet! -what are on earth they?

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Hahaha. There was a girl there selling small pieces of decorative petrified wood for $8/lb, but, I didn't take any photos....

Those are Amazon Milk Frogs. Super cute! Their shape and size seemed very similar to Whites Tree Frogs. They looked like they were captive bred and in perfect condition.

Photo #88

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...u7lrmkhrjw.jpg

GHI Fire ball python.
White/Brown = Banded Agate (Brazil)
Red = Petrified Wood (Arizona)
Blue = Blue Aventurine (Brazil)
Green = Chrysocolla (Arizona)
Purple = Amethyst (Brazil)

Well now you're just showing off...:P

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Well now you're just showing off...:P

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:)

Photo #89
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...cuozvhukui.jpg

Pictured: A small single gene Fire ball python and a nice chunk of petrified dinosaur bone.
Petrified dinosaur bone is always in high demand and is often made into various jewelry due to its attractive organic patterning.
Gem quality specimens with good color and patterning (like the one shown above) can carry a laughably high price tag to lapidary artists.
I happen to find this piece in a random box of petrified wood I bought off of Ebay--before tumbling and polish it was indistinguishable from pet. wood.

Side Story:
My gf and I were at an overpriced antiques consignment store recently and there was a box of random rocks in one consigners booth marked $2/each.
I pored over the box for a few minutes and picked out two mottled brown-red pieces and brought them to the front counter.
The woman at the register said "Hmmm...these are interesting rocks" (aka ugly) as she bagged them up for me. "Do you know what they are?"
'You bet!' I said grinning. 'These are dinosaur bones with some red hematite, probably from Utah'.
I thought she would laugh in disbelief (or make a 'bone' related joke), but instead her eyes immediately widened and then rapidly narrowed.
As I tried to take the bag away from her she held fast, a short tug of war ensued as I could see the wheels in her mind trying to void the sale.
She let go after 15 seconds (an eternity), and as we left her shoulders slumped and she stared blankly into the distance.
We did not even get the customary 'have a nice day' as we went out the door.
I thought it was amusing, especially since the two bones I bought are poor quality and only probably worth about $10...given the inflated prices in the store...I bet they would have tried to sell them for $200 each...:D

Hahaha, I bet she would have. Glad you managed to get out of there with them without too much trouble.

That looks amazing, great find too[emoji7][emoji7] bet she was week peed off[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

Moral of the story: never tell the vender what it is until it's firmly in your hands- not just paid for! :D Sweet finds!

I was watching a video on YouTube of a ball python breeder in Colorado: He mentioned that he has all the eggs for his 2021 breeding season laid already. Wow! I'm envious...
I live in Massachusetts. I will be collecting clutches May through September and picking out hatchlings from my incubators up to December.
Due to abnormally high temps in my area this year I'm already seeing my first 2021 pip before July...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...68suvkiph6.jpg

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

I was watching a video on YouTube of a ball python breeder in Colorado: He mentioned that he has all the eggs for his 2021 breeding season laid already. Wow! I'm envious...
I live in Massachusetts. I will be collecting clutches May through September and picking out hatchlings from my incubators up to December.
Due to abnormally high temps in my area this year I'm already seeing my first 2021 pip before July...

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What a cutie pie. No pips here yet but should be in a couple weeks. I've been expecting eggs from two females for a few days, they are taking their time. I will laugh if the female that has post-ov shed a week after them lays first.

Photo #90

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...as08xa2iq1.jpg
I picked up these 'decorative' striped stones at Petco ages ago. I know they are common in some areas and even used in bulk for landscaping. They take a high polish, but, chip and fracture easily.
Many of these stones I tumbled contain deep perforated inclusions which needed to be worked out thus making them poor for lapidary use.

As for the snake: Sometimes I can make an educated guess which ball pythons are Het for a particular gene based on visible clues...not the Pastels from this particular clutch...lucky for me I know they are 100% Lavender Albino. :)

Those are beautiful stones, even if not "highly-valued" for lapidary use. The snake's pretty nice too...:cool:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Those are beautiful stones, even if not "highly-valued" for lapidary use. The snake's pretty nice too...:cool:

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Thanks!

Photo #91

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...gqafy8fo6b.jpg

Spider Black Pastel, Het Hypo.

The stone is interesting--I really liked the shape and the window so I made the decision to polish it without further adjustment.
I know a lot of people who tumble rocks that are obsessed with making all specimens round and flawlessly perfect...I am not cursed with such strict standards. :)

I think the odd shape gives it a lot of character and the way it slopes up to that white diamond is pretty cool.

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

...The stone is interesting--I really liked the shape and the window so I made the decision to polish it without further adjustment.
I know a lot of people who tumble rocks that are obsessed with making all specimens round and flawlessly perfect...I am not cursed with such strict standards. :)

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It's knowing when to quit...when "enough is enough". :gj: I like it too, btw.

Photo #92

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...b2gwywkzpo.jpg

This Albino ball python is the clutch-mate to the Albino Enchi in Photo #64.

Fun fact: The four large pieces of Yellow Quartz were originally one stone I split (pictured in the center of the photo below-where I found it).
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2jvjpjxbhc.jpg
The other little black arrows in the photo are for my records of other stones I took from the area.
A lot of rocks look pretty boring until they are polished. :)

I gotta say I love this thread.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Photo #92- perfect timing for the 4th of July! :D

And your ability to find interesting stones to polish out of all those that appear mundane is most impressive! :gj:

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Originally Posted by Kam

I gotta say I love this thread.

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Glad you enjoy them!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Photo #92- perfect timing for the 4th of July! :D

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Thanks, the 2020 photos are in a specific order so it was just a matter of timing for #92. 2021 photos will be a different story.

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And your ability to find interesting stones to polish out of all those that appear mundane is most impressive! :gj:

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I test all the different types of stone I find. Sometimes a rock will look really promising, but, from experience I know it will not tumble and/or polish well (like the one shown below).

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...qvlag84r3r.jpg

Photo #93

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...jmzfabkbnx.jpg

A Fire Het Clown with some Root Beer agates (from CA, USA). :)

Photo #94

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...xc4aljbkf8.jpg

Single gene Black Pastel with Chalcedony (SW USA).

Chalcedony is a broad term and includes many different stones which are composed of micro interlaced Quartz and Moganite crystals usually formed from Silicon Dioxide.

Photo #95

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...r2xiyqqvlb.jpg

The snake is a Double Het Recessive.
The white stones are milky quartz (MA), the black stones are petrified wood (UT),
the blue stones are a bit odd they are from the Southwest USA: I am not familiar with them,
they are tricky to polish due to the white patterning (different hardness), but, take a high shine.

Photo #96

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...aupn1asgpc.jpg

Black Pastel +/- a few Hets, and a decent sized Montana Agate.
Montana agates are incredibly hard/tough, and take a super high polish.
They are one of my favorite rocks to work with and are commonly found in some areas of the USA.
Well-patterned/shaped agate specimens can command a respectable price-tag.
It is not always easy to buy rough Montana Agate that has not had its value already appraised...I do manage to acquire some now and then though. ;)

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #96

Black Pastel +/- a few Hets, and a decent sized Montana Agate.
Montana agates are incredibly hard/tough, and take a super high polish.
They are one of my favorite rocks to work with and are commonly found in some areas of the USA.
Well-patterned/shaped agate specimens can command a respectable price-tag.
It is not always easy to buy rough Montana Agate that has not had its value already appraised...I do manage to acquire some now and then though. ;)

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I really like that particular stone. It has a lot of character.