pugdog
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Mar 11, 2003, 8:43 AM
Post #3 of 3
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Re: [Sewhaha] What's coming? Shells, Shells, and More Shells
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Cherry Quartz is either relatively new, or has been gaining some popularity lately (maybe along with the red/dyed bamboo corals).
I had not been aware of "cherry quartz" before, since being a rock shop, our materials are usually straight from the ground, or cut/polished, rather than dyed.
I try to limit dyed materials in the shop, just as a policy. People seem to lose interest, or feel betrayed when they see a "pretty" rock and find out it's dyed. In order to keep those expectations alive, we limit the dyed materials, and really keep enhancements to a minimum. We want people to feel what they are getting is the highest quality *natural* stones and materials, without worrying about getting a lower grade, enhanced material.
We do have limited dyed materials, including the bamboo coral, and some cabs, and bone, but we really do try to limit it. Our "natural" stones we try to keep natural.
On the other hand, reds, greens and blues in vibrant colors are hard to find. Blues are available in sodalite and lapis, but reds and greens are often dyed clear or white materials such as quartz or howlite.
Looking at one of the vendors sites, it's a form of the ice (crackled) quartz, where the dye invades the fractures. Some vendors list it as man-made, but it's really probably just dyed. (Of course, quartz can be made in a lab, and then dyed, but it would probably be considered glass at that point).
The variations are quite significant, even in the same strand, since no two pieces are going to have the same dye impregnable areas.
PUGDOG's Rock & Bead Shop
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
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