[Jewelry making - Article 01413] - Re: [Orchid] Flintstone arrow head

[Chris Hanson]

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    I am not a geologist (or archeologist) by any stretch of the
    imagination but I did dabble in "flint knapping" years ago when I
    worked at a historic site that held a large gathering of
    "prehistoric technologists".My understanding is the what most people
    call flint is actually chert. (there are very few examples of true
    flint in the US, I believe there is some in the Georgetown, TX area )
    It is my understanding that both are crytocrystalline quartz
    materials, however, true flint is of much higher quality/purity (such
    as the Brandon deposit in England and the Danish flint used for the
    incredible axes and daggers). Symantics aside, I wouldn't recommend
    putting heat to the arrowhead. Without knowing the particular type
    of chert (or other material) that you might be dealing with, you
    really run the danger of shattering it. I know from playing with heat
    treating material to make it more "knappable", each material has
    different heat tolerances, some very high, others extremely low. It
    also often changes colors with heat.Even if the material can take
    the heat, there is a good chance it will blow apart with soldering.
    Why not come up with a wire wrap or prong design to incorporate it
    into a piece of jewelry. If you have to solder, I'd cheat and use
    something like Tix......at least your chance of disaster will be
    mitigated. Why risk destroying an irreplaceable artifact with
    sentimental value?? 

Chris Hanson
former rock buster, hide tanner, bow maker, etc...
Ketchikan, AK
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