Am I your first lapidarist?

[jodetoad]

I'm 59, and have been a church pianist & organist for over 12 years.

But I'm sort of a new Christian, I guess, in the sense that it isn't just nice-sounding words any more, suddenly something is melting inside and it's personal. I never WASN'T a Christian, but ... well I guess you will either understand or you won't.

So I'm reading scripture and books all the time now, have a lot of questions, will probably end up in the Bible Study a lot. The church I go to is tiny, the people there are great but pretty elderly, and mostly they need me to listen to them, not ask questions. So I'm hoping to ask you! Looking forward to getting acquainted.

View attachment 1854(A lapidarist cuts and grinds and polishes rocks, that's my hobby & little business. God buries lots of wonderful surprises in the dirt!)

 

[Mike]

Welcome to CFnet!

Good to have you here! I work with a woman who travels the world sea-glass hunting. I guess there's some wonderful surprises in the water too.

 

[cleanfreak]

welcome

 

[l'Chante]

Hi Joadtoad. CFnet has been an eye opener for me in more ways that you might expect. The people here are extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

 

[jodetoad]

Thank you for the welcome!

When I was a "name-only" Christian, it all seemed pretty straight-forward and simple. Now that I'm concentrating on it, what seemed so simple isn't. So I look forward to getting input from you more knowledgeable folk.

Ocean glass is great, and the ocean also tosses up jade, agates and other rock on the shores. Some lapidary rock (such as Ocean Jasper) is mined from under the ocean, and some from lakes. Some fabulous lapidary rock, such as fossilized corals, was formed in oceans or lakes but is now on land. But even common granite can be beautiful when polished. So we are surrounded by beautiful stuff.

 

[Riverwolf]

Hello and welcome!
I have jars of polished rocks. Some rocks I would purchase, but most were found along the banks of rivers here in Oregon. The tumbler burned up a few years back and has yet to be replaced. I tell people that it is the most boring but rewarding hobby of all!
What is that in your picture?

 

[Alabaster]

Here are some stones to say welcome!

 

[jodetoad]

Cute smily-bug rocks! The first picture is a cabochon of Green Tree Agate from India. Oregon has wonderful rocks, lots of fabulous jaspers from Oregon, plus some pretty fancy obsidians. This Biggs Jasper is from Oregon:
View attachment 1857

Tumblers are a bit slow, us less patient types slice the rock like bread on a big rock saw, then trim the slices on a diamond saw, then use a wet grinder to shape and polish.

It's fun getting rock from around the world, one of the fun things is asking for 'boxes of rocks' at the Post Office. Always gets a laugh from other customers, often starts friendly conversation.

Thanks for being so welcoming!

 

[Alabaster]

I find this so interesting. There is such beauty in what we think is just basic rocks! We tend to gravitate to the jewels!

My cousin used to make jewelry and I have a ring she made for me in the '70's that is basically a marble that is white with rose swirls and a bit of glittery gold in it. It is set in a gold wire and it is still fascinating to look at.