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 Post subject: Awesome Group!
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:59 pm 
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Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:50 pm
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Location: Virginia, USA
I have been lurking this forum for a week or so, and joined just a few days ago. I just found this spot for introductions, so I figured I'd better check in. I found the forum while reading a post by Richard Wise in the Orchid Forum in Ganoskin. It far exceeds my expectations!

I have been interested in rocks and such since I was six years old (65 years now!). Eventually the interest turned into mineral collecting, and almost inevitably into gems. When I was in college I found that I could polish opals, and later star sapphires, even without machinery of any kind.

When I was a midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy I was lucky enough to get a cruise to Brazil, so I though I was in heaven browsing the many gem shops in Rio. I even got to go into the vaults for a viewing of a dealer's private collection of magnificent gem crystals.

While I was living in California I enjoyed exploring the pegmatites of San Diego County, the nephrite jade beaches south of Monterey, and the jadeite and benitoite deposits of the coast ranges.

I learned to assemble sterling and gold mountings for my polished stones that I accumulated over the years. I kept saving the clearest rough for the day when I finally started faceting. After I retired from my work in shipbuilding programs for the Navy, I enjoyed a lot more time for fun things, so I returned to lapidary work and metalsmithing.

About three years ago I decided that I shouldn't wait any longer, so I took the plunge and started faceting! I made Jeff Graham's site my primary resource for supplies, rough, and designs. My primary interest is faceting natural gemstones. I manage to find a few pieces of facetable gems myself, but to feed my faceting habit I mainly use various dealers to obtain rough from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and various African localities.

It's great to be here!


Dick Davies


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:49 pm 
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It's great to be here!


It's great to have you here. The pleasure is all mine. Welcome! :P


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:38 pm 
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Welcome to the family, Dick. You'll love it here. :D

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Quantum Mechanics...the dreams stuff is made of. :smt047


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:44 pm 
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Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Welcome Dick! So glad you found us!

I was practically drooling when reading your stories of your travels that allowed you to see such beautiful gems! Do you have any photos that you can post?


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:03 am 
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Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Welcome Dick. Your CV sounds very much like mine. I believe you'll find lots of kind and kindred spirits here, and much to stimulate your creative impulses.

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Rick Martin

www.artcutgems.com


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:38 pm 
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Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:47 pm
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Location: Aiken SC
Welcome! The diversity of people on this forum is awesome :wink: We have people from every walk of life who have been captivated by the intoxicating world of gems.

Thanks for sharing your story. We all are anticipating your future posts :!:

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"The fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom"
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:45 am 
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Hi Dick, welcome to the forum.

Looking forward to more stories about Brazil! I would love to go there, if for nothing else than to pick up a huge amethyst geode for my living room!

Gem doc is right, it is great to get the different perspectives from all over the world!

Take care
Lucy


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:03 pm 
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Howdy Dick!
Welcome to the board... :D

Regards
Cattrix

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:06 pm 
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Welcome aboard, Richard (I just have to be different :P )!!

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