Snakes and Stones

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. :)

Quote:

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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

Quote:

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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...;)