Snakes and Stones

[Lord Sorril]

Photo #81


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.


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.

[nikkubus]

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.

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.

[Lord Sorril]

Photo #82



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.

[Bogertophis]

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

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

[Lord Sorril]

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

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.

[nikkubus]

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

You got quite a nice haul for fish gravel

[Bogertophis]

You got quite a nice haul for fish gravel

I'll say you did!