Post subject: Re: Beautiful Unexplained Flames of Color - New Pictures -
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 4:10 pm
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Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:44 pm Posts: 1079 Location: Washington State
Those are fractures in the stone. The reflections from the near and far sides of the fracture are interference colors which are related to the thickness of the fracture, (similar to oil films on water).
Those are fractures in the stone. The reflections from the near and far sides of the fracture are interference colors which are related to the thickness of the fracture, (similar to oil films on water).
Ok! Do all clear stones have the potential to display that effect if they are fractured? Because I never saw this on any other picture before.
It's a relatively common effect (sometimes known as "fracture fire"), though it's mostly visible in colorless stones. It rarely shows up in a finished stone since a stone is really likely to split along the fracture during cutting. As a side note, that's a rather unusual color for scapolite. I've seen blue scapolites before, but only as part of a tenebrescent effect.
It's a relatively common effect (sometimes known as "fracture fire"), though it's mostly visible in colorless stones. It rarely shows up in a finished stone since a stone is really likely to split along the fracture during cutting. As a side note, that's a rather unusual color for scapolite. I've seen blue scapolites before, but only as part of a tenebrescent effect.
The name is well chosen, I did not even know it before I used 'flames' to describe it
It is a known fact that Scapolite and Calcite are locally abundant, and while I can't be certain, everything points out to this. The crystals appear Tetragonal to me and seem to be prone to weathering. It is also very soft, feels almost like plastic or resin to the touch.
That's interesting, and quite beautiful-looking material. That said, scapolite is actually not terribly soft--it's a solid 6 on the 'ol Moh's. But whatever you're dealing with sure looks interesting.
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