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March 19, 2024, 02:54:09 am
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Resurfacing/Polishing Gemstone Bottle?

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Author Topic: Resurfacing/Polishing Gemstone Bottle?  (Read 640 times)
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cshapiro
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« on: July 11, 2016, 07:06:47 pm »

Hello!!!

I have another "find!" A beautiful watermelon tourmaline bottle that was hidden under dirt and grime. And yes, first thing I did was a specific gravity test - I took it about four times to be sure I was doing it correctly and each time got the same reading. It's specific gravity is 3.18. But with this one, I immediately knew what it was.

However, it has some condition issues. There is major chipping around the neck, and the base, and overall it could use a good polish to really bring out the inner beauty of the bottle.

So my question is, is this done? How would that affect the value of my bottle? Could anyone point me in the direction of a specialist in this area?

thanks!


* IMG_6296 (Small) (2).JPG (64.45 KB, 397x585 - viewed 46 times.)

* IMG_6293 (Small).JPG (60.84 KB, 720x480 - viewed 47 times.)
« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 07:12:31 pm by cshapiro » Report Spam   Logged

Cathy

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Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司
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« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2016, 07:14:13 pm »

Dear Cathy,

    Could you please send the clearest photos you have of this bottle to: antiquehouse@yahoo.com?
I will ask Y.F.Yang what he thinks and if he can get it polished.
Best,
Joey
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Joey Silver (Si Zhouyi 義周司), collecting snuff bottles since Feb.1970

cshapiro
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« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2016, 07:17:27 pm »

Yes! Thank you Joey!!!
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Cathy
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« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2016, 07:37:41 pm »

Sadly, from what I can see, this would not be worth spending the money on to polish.. Although the tourmaline is pretty here, it is low grade. The chips at the neck and base are to bad to grind down without loosing correct neck edge, and foot rim.

Some carvers intentionally hollow out a bottle like this much less so as to show off the mineral. But that straight hole down the bottle sort of makes this something to put on the shelf.

Just my two cents...  Smiley

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cshapiro
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« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2016, 07:59:40 pm »

Aw George, you're breaking my heart!

I know you're the expert, but I went ahead and sent photos to Joey's connection.

I will try to followup and post what he has to say about it.


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« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2016, 08:14:32 pm »

Dear Cathy,

     I'm sorry, I didn't notice it was just core-drilled. George is 100% correct. You'd just be throwing good money after bad.
Best,
Joey
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« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2016, 09:31:25 pm »

Aw George, you're breaking my heart!




Sorry !
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Wattana
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« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2016, 09:54:40 pm »

Cathy,

Are you certain this is tourmaline? It looks a lot like Fluorite from the photos.

Fluorite has a specific gravity between 3.175 and 3.184. You are exactly in the middle of this range.  It is also much softer and more fragile than Tourmaline, making it extremely tricky to hollow out effectively. Core drilling is a safe compromise!

If it is fluorite, you should be able to buff it up with a little toothpaste (white paste, not gel) on a clean cloth, and several hours worth of elbow grease!

Tom
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« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2016, 10:03:44 pm »

Hi Tom,

I am not certain it's tourmaline - I didn't realize fluorite was a possibility. I will try that!

thanks,
Cathy
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« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2016, 10:13:31 pm »

Here is a miniature bowl made of fluorite.


* Fluorite bowl01.jpg (79.93 KB, 800x700 - viewed 19 times.)
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« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2016, 10:14:38 pm »

Nice example - looks very much like my bottle!
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« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2016, 10:16:15 pm »

Yes, it could well be indeed !
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