Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:50 pm Posts: 299 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.
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2005 11:45 am Posts: 1107 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?
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:20 am Posts: 2756 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.
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:47 pm Posts: 147 Location: Aiken SC
Welcome! The diversity of people on this forum is awesome 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
_________________ Michael Ph.D. C.G.A.
Aiken, SC
"The fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom" King Solomon
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