Modern Hardstone Bottles

[George]

Here ya go guys !

Slabs like these are used for carving knife scales..

http://www.knifehandles.com/coral-stone-fossils/blue-coral

[Wattana]

Thanks George,

Now that I know the blue colour is natural, I like the material more and more each time I look at it.
Joey, any ideas as to what these slabs could be made into, apart from knife handles? I'm very tempted to buy some.

Tom

[Wattana]

Hi All,

About time for another modern hardstone bottle....

Description: Boulder opal snuff bottle of rounded rectangular form, the natural opalescent and milky white veins in the purplish black matrix carved in high relief with a dragon. Matching stopper.  Height w/o stopper: 6.5cm.

Commentary: Boulder opal is closely related to the quartz silica family of minerals, which includes agate, chalcedony, rock crystal, amethyst and jasper. Opal itself is an amorphous hydrated silica, which means it contains water. As such, the colour is affected by moisture. This particular variety of opal forms in thin streaky seams within a dark brown or purplish-black ironstone matrix, which itself has a consistency visually similar to jasper.

The most important sources are to be found in Australia. It has only appeared on snuff bottles since the late 1960's. This one was probably made in the early 1990s.

[George]

Wow !

The contrast between the natural opalescent, milky white veins and purple black matrix is really something..

I absolutely love the natural opalescent and milky white relief carving.

Really a nice bottle !

[Wattana]

Thanks George,

It is one of my favourites from among the modern hardstones in my collection. It's even nicer when handled....very tactile!

[rpfstoneman]

Tom,

I've always seemed to have missed out on decent opal bottles in the past, and hope to acquire one someday.  A very beautiful bottle.  If you ever decide to part with it let me know, for I would be very happy owner of this bottle.  Green with envy, and regardless of my condition, thanks for sharing.

Charll   

[Wattana]

Charll,

Thanks for your comments, and I will bear that in mind! I bought mine in Hong Kong in the early 1990s, but here is a link to a site selling similar bottles online:

http://houseofonyx.com/boulderopalsnuffbottlewithchinesejunkboatdesigngs-151.aspx

Tom

[Pat - 查尚杰]

I have a couple of these.  None carved though. One has a bluish shine to it. Will try to locate pics.

[Wattana]

Pat,

I will be interested to see the pictures when you find them.