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Popular gemstones and cabochons:

Amazonite
Amethyst
Ammonites
Astrophyllite
Atlanticite
Biggs Jasper
Black Onyx
Bloodstone
Blue Topaz
Bruneau Jasper
Butterfly Jasper
Carved Stones
Charoite
Chinese writing
Collectors items
Copper Stones
Coral
Covellite
Cuprite
Dalmatian stone
Deschutes
Diamonds
Discounts
Druzy, Agate
Druzy, black 
Druzy, blue
Druzy, drilled
Druzy, Glacier
Druzy, Jasper
Druzy, Pink cob
Druzy, Platinum
Druzy, Rainbow
Druzy, Titanium
Druzy uvarovite
Druzy, quartz
Eudialyte
Faceted gems
Fancy Jasper
Fossilized Coral
Fossils
Hemimorphite
Imperial Jasper
Landscape jasp
Lapis
Larimar
Lightning Jasper
Malachite
Melee Diamonds
Mexican Lace
Mookaite
Moss Agates
Obsidian
Ocean Jasper
Ocean Wave
Owyhee Jasper
Paint Rock

Parrot Wing
Peanutwood
Pearls
Peridot
Petoskey Stone
Pietersite
Poppy Jaspers
Psilomelane
Rainforest Jasp
Rhodonite
Rock Crystal
Rutilated quartz
Seraphinite
Shells
Silver Stones
Spiderweb Obs Stone Sets
Sugilite
Tinguaite
Turquoise

Unakite        
Zebra Agate

quick guide:

 1" = 25mm

1/2"=13mm

1/4"=6.5mm

 

Student Specials

Great Buys for Starving Students!!!

On this page:  Click on underlined text to take you to your choice, or browse by scrolling down.

Stones for under $12   ô   Starving Student Pack  ô  Rock Burnishers

Stones for under $12 each

Rhyolite Jasper

I got a fabulous buy this summer on Rhyolite Jasper, from New Hampshire. Technically, it's not supposed to polish hardly at all, which is why I got a deal on it. However, I passed the lot along to a savvy lapidarist friend of mine who was able to coax a nice gleam from most of these stones. Use them to practice drilling, bezel or prong setting, or in your quick production pieces. Some of them are pretty enough that no one will ever guess that you got them on sale! One of each available, and overall, the supply is limited. Not recommended for hard-wearing jewelry because these stones are relatively soft. Fine for pendants. Please--These deals are especially targeted for STUDENTS! Note: To order, click on the "Add to Cart" button BELOW the item you want.

D22: Rhyolite Jasper      New Hampshire
Average size: 28 x 20mm 
Only D22a is available; the rest have been sold. Click on photo to see stones better.

 

 

D28: Rhyolite Jasper   New Hampshire
48 x 35mm   Your Choice: $7.99 each

 

D28a $7.99

SOLD

  D28b $7.99

SOLD

  D28c $7.99

SOLD

  D28d $7.99


 


Rhyolite Jasper      New Hampshire
50 x 37mm  note large size!      Click on photo for a better look.
D18c is the only one remaining:  regularly $10.99,
SALE!   $8.99    (D18a, b and d are sold)


D18c   
$8.99

Check it out! Back to the Stone Age: Rock Tools for Metalsmiths

Burnishers

I got turned on to the use of burnishers when I learned that artist Barbara Heinrich uses them to control the placement and level of shine on a piece. What a neat idea!  Burnishing, or rubbing metal with a harder material, can be done with polished stainless steel burnishers, or with smooth, hard stones like hematite or agate.

Burnishing doesn't work well on large areas that are not already cleaned up. You won't get a high polish by trying to burnish scratched metal. My best luck with burnishing is on silver that's already been polished with white diamond. I usually burnish twice, first with stainless steel or agate, then with hematite for a high shine. The agate donuts, shown at bottom, are a good value. The round shape not only is easy to grip, but it comes in handy when burnishing edges--the curve of the circular donut makes it easier for you to burnish only what you want.

With any burnisher, the trick is to hold the piece firmly so that it doesn't slip. As always, you gain control if you can brace your hands against each other while you burnish. Hold the tool or stone carefully and rub it back and forth over the same area again and again, applying a decent amount of steady pressure. Soon you'll see a gleam rising from the metal's surface. Be aware that you might have to burnish over the edge of a sheet to sort of "fold" the metal over, so as to avoid leaving a sharp edge. Always test the edges of your piece with your fingertips to make sure nothing catches or is sharp to the touch.

After I've done my basic burnishing, I go for a high polish by using hematite. It gives a fabulous glittery gleam to edges, and is great for polishing the highlights on textured metal. If you have big hands and are planning to burnish pretty large areas, choose a large piece of hematite. The medium size is probably most versatile, while the small and pointed sizes allow you to squeeze into smaller areas and polish them. The prices below are for ONE piece, which is all you'll really need. Please don't order more than one of each as quantities are limited.

 

Hematite Burnishing Stones (Click on photo to get a better view of these stones and their sizes) Oops! We're running low on our stock of these items. Limit one (of each) per customer, please.

Small hematite, (top right) avg. weight 5 grams, 18-20mm   GM 630   $.80 each


Medium hematite, (top left) avg. weight 8 grams, 20-25mm  GM 632  $1.30 each

Large hematite, (top middle) avg. weight 12.5g, 27-29mm    GM 633  $1.80 each  Four Available!


Pointed hematite, (bottom, middle)  avg. weight 6.5 grams   GM 631  $1.25 each  One Available!

 

 

Polished Agate Burnishing Donuts

Stones are much larger than shown in photo. Quantities are limited. Click on photo to see detail.

Medium agate donuts       GM 634 $1.50 each   Only two left!



Small agate donuts   GM 635 $.80 each   Only two left!

Where to Next? Click on underlined text to go to your desired destination, or use link bars at top of this page.

Next page: Sweet Deals    Previous Gemstone Page: StoneScapes  ô

Information on how to buy stones from this site: Designer Gems

Browsing? Try these interesting pages elsewhere on the website:  Metalsmithing bench tips  ô Metal and fused glass designs by Judith Kiriazis  ô Intriguing finished jewelry from around the world in the Heart of Stone Online Catalog

Questions? Looking for something slightly different? I might have it...E-Mail Me.

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