• PeelerSheila @aussie.zone
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    7 days ago

    Went to the gemstone and lapidary club show and it was very interesting. Lots of stuff that I just wanted to touch because it was so polished and smooth. Lots of beautiful fossils and a gem faceting demonstration. It’s a 2 day thing so I’m going back tomorrow because I’ve got a guy holding a lapis pendant for me (oops 😬💸) and there was a piece of petrified wood that I really liked because it looked nice to hold in my hand and I hope it’s still there. I bought an orthoceras pendant as well. I’d like something amber as well. Dammit there were so many things I wanted! I loved the opals and malachite as well.

      • Seagoon_@aussie.zone
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        7 days ago

        most gemstones are heated to intensify colour, 🤷‍♀️ they are still beautiful

        the bad amber is ground up into a dust then compressed, synthetic resin may also be added ,

        check using a black light, real amber glows a strange milky green, it’s not real

        the big problem is selling them at a higher price as if they are completely natural, heated are not

      • PeelerSheila @aussie.zone
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        7 days ago

        It’s quite a small event in the local (to me) church hall, but I can look at that sort of thing for ages, and the Minipeelers share my love of fossils and minerals. I’d love to take them to that fossil place out in the eastern side of town, I’ve heard it’s huge! (Edit: I may be thinking of Chrystal World in Devon Meadows?)

        • Seagoon_@aussie.zone
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          7 days ago

          That looks awesome 😀

          and you can stop off at Fossil Beach Mt Martha too 😀 The fossils are just there to pick up in plain sight, great for the Minis

          once it’s spring I’m off to the quarry in geelong to dig the fyansford formation