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Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)
https://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=25838
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Author:  renclod [ Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

Hello Gemology fans and pros! Newbie here.
The subject is what brought me to this discipline.
I will cut a piece and have it checked somewhere, just for my curiosity.
Then if I'm lucky with time I will acquire some tools and learn faceting on my mystery glass chunk.
Do you think it is facetable?
Or maybe I should keep it as is for sentimental reasons?
Anyways, I have a 3 minutes video for you:

and some photos.

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Author:  TheL [ Thu Sep 10, 2020 7:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

I would not bother faceting it as this will surely turn out to be just a black gemstone because of its high absorption to light. Even if you are a beginning into faceting and you have "nothing to loose", when I look back at my first few dark-rough-turned-into-gemstone experiences, I consider that time as wasted time. Not to mention it was a sad disappointment when finally looking at the final product of that hard work, be nothing but an opaque gem.

Author:  renclod [ Sat Sep 12, 2020 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

TheL wrote:
I would not bother faceting it as this will surely turn out to be just a black gemstone because of its high absorption to light. Even if you are a beginning into faceting and you have "nothing to loose", when I look back at my first few dark-rough-turned-into-gemstone experiences, I consider that time as wasted time. Not to mention it was a sad disappointment when finally looking at the final product of that hard work, be nothing but an opaque gem.


TheL what you say makes a lot of sense.
But right now I'm having a ton of fun with this "gem".
I have cut a sliver like in photo attached.
I polished by hand as few facets I could, using my fingers, sandpaper and then a DVD and toothpaste. I do not own or have access to a faceting machine, yet. Also cerium oxide will take weeks to arrive, same with diamond paste or other goodies.
I am proud of my efforts so far - can you see the GemologyOnline.com homepage on my laptop's screen reflected in a facet (irregular pentagon, max 1/2 inch across)?
This "gem" material has some funny refracting behaviour.
I requested a price offer for an expertise and I am waiting for an answer from a gemology expert.
But just looking at the photo attached, you have the light right from above and the (phone) camera at 45 degrees. The light does get inside and gets out the opposing side. The issue is with the light coming back toward the light source (and to the observer). For some bizarre facet angle setups you DO have light coming back out - see the photo attached. For many others, not.
So maybe some inspired cutting design could eventually bring out brilliance from this dark, light absorbing material.

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Author:  Barbra Voltaire, FGG [ Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

If you would like to send me that bit, I'll test it and identify it for you.
Let me know.

Author:  Barbra Voltaire, FGG [ Fri Oct 02, 2020 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

Received the blue unknown in today's mail.
Polariscope: ADR (anomalous double refraction)
Refractometer; 1.495
UV: SWUV chalky blue; LWUV inert
Microscope: Inclusion Scene: bubbles and color zoning; conchoidal fracturing on the surface
Image
A bubble in a bubble
GemmoRaman scan: glass

Identification: Cobalt doped glass

Author:  renclod [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 11:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

Barbra Voltaire, FGG wrote:

Identification: Cobalt doped glass


Thank you, that was quick and definitive.

There are a few other issues that I am curious about - I'm not asking! just sharing my passion for this artefact.

1/ How does the light absorption spectra looks like? I do have a photo from a preliminary source but it is in bad focus.
2/ I'd like to see my estimation for Mohs hardness between 6 and 7, confirmed.
3/ Is this a modern/contemporary human made artefact or could it be older? In other words does it makes sense to seek an elemental composition analysis - alternatively I can start cutting and polishing no worry (though I'm still curious!).

Author:  Barbra Voltaire, FGG [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

With all due respect, I am finished with this project.
It is man-made blue glass with a hardness 6>7
Price comps:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/672445042/ ... ch_click=1

Author:  glhays [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

Doesn't take long when you have the right equipment. Also you can't make it more than it is, unless you have all pertinent information of it's history.

Author:  renclod [ Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

Barbra Voltaire, FGG wrote:
With all due respect, I am finished with this project.

All my gratitude! Do not take this to serious and please indulge...

glhays wrote:
Doesn't take long when you have the right equipment. Also you can't make it more than it is, unless you have all pertinent information of it's history.


I don't have the history pat down and it's kind of killing me.
So let's stipulate:
A glass factory nearby (there ain't any) dropped a bad batch of visors in a glob; when the municipality resurfaced the road they hauled whatever they found: river bed stones and backyard dump, up the road in the mountains. It doesn't make much sense, they would logically haul gravel from up mountain, down.
Or: It was New Year's eve and a bored, well heeled young lady throughs a press-papier out the window of her 4x4 going up to a party at the cabin up mountain. Next spring and summer, many automobiles grind the glass into the road bed until I find it.
Please take a look at the surface inclusions in photos attached.
Are they grains sticking with the original glass material from when it was cooling?
Or are they crystals growing from glass with addition from the environment?
If growing, how long would it take?
And yes, I don't have access to the right equipment, yet.

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Author:  Barbra Voltaire, FGG [ Sun Oct 04, 2020 3:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

What is it you want this random blue glass to be? A relic from an ancient civilization? Unlikely, my friend.

Similar glass is used in firepits:
Image

Gardening accents:
Image

Corporate landscaping
Image

I could go on, but one can easily buy this sort of glass by the bag or the ton.

Author:  glhays [ Sun Oct 04, 2020 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Check out my sapphire wannabe (glass chunk)

The GIA uses it in the planters through out the campus here in Carlsbad. I rember sitting in the lobby one day admiring the richness of color.
Stipulate to what? There might be more to this story than we know.

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