[Jewelry making - Article 00476] - Re: [Orchid] Sugilite

[Harv Turner]

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    Dede Asked for info on Sujilite(sp). I am pleased to be able to
    provide some info to the Orchid community. My jewelry experience
    doesn't match that of our regular contributors, BUT, Since this is
    one of my favorite stones and I have a bunch of it, I can share some
    info. First, it is real.  It is Manganese Silicate with an H. 3D6.5,
    and a density of 2.74, just a bit higher than turquoise. It is found
    primarily in the Manganese mines, (Wessels) in South Africa's
    Kalahari desert. As a by-product of their mining operation it has
    been only a sideline business for them and the supply has really
    begun to shrivel. When you are lucky you will find Richterite with
    the sugilite. The bluish-whitish coloring will be from the
    richterite. Massive and tough, this material is a favorite for
    inlay, carving and cabbing. I treat it pretty much as I do jasper,
    but some compare it with jadeite. Chrome oxide for final polish is
    probably best choice. My favorite use is for inlay work with lapis,
    coral, varisite, opal and turquoise. Sugilite in generally in the
    same class and price as fine Lapis, although the Sugilite "gel" will
    sell for many times the price of even the best midnight blue lapis.
    The Smithsonian has a faceted gem weighing more than 25 carats. Try
    some of your sugilite with some pink coral; absolutely beautiful,
    add some white-based fire opal you have something very special.
    Watch out for: some synthetic/imatation material has appeared and
    I've read that some folks are stabilizing the poor quality stuff, as
    with lower grade turquoise, and some have tried dyeing jasper to
    look like sugilite.  If you would like additional info, please
    contact me off-line; I am always happy to talk about this stuff.
    Also, if you need more material, I have a full range of colors. Hope
    this helps... Harv Turner in sunny Santa Barbara; see you in Tucson


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