[Jewelry making - Article 00030] - Re: [Orchid] Agate or Jasper?

[kpkelly]

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    Hi Dave I went to my "Gem Cutting" by John Sinkankas which I've
    previously mentioned as an indispensible lapidary reference on this
    forum. In chapter 19 under quartz one finds crystalline varieties,
    then cryptocrystalline ( meaning a crystalline structure too fine to
    be seen without your electron microscope) and under that heading,
    agate- "chalcedony in various layers, bands, colors, patterns,
    mosses, tubes, etc.  Following that "Jasper- very impure chalcedony,
    usually containing considerable earthy or clayey material.  Generally
    distinguished from agate as any variety which is opaque." You'll
    generally find info without the "gobbely-gook".  Cryptocrystalline
    and microcrystalline are not the same. These things are always
    helpful when speaking with customers.  In my experience there is way
    too much inaccurate information passed on as fact: my particular
    point of annoyance is jewelers identifying a certain opal as "black
    opal" which is not black opal but usually a fine colorful crystal
    opal. No reflection on you Dave, I just couldn' help myself. 


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