How to find certain gem stones

I've been thinking recently about doing some sculpture with gems and stones. I want to mine a big ass opal and carve it into a skull or something. It'd be worth a grand or two I could imagine, givin it was a good one.

I mean why not make some things and sell them at festies or etsy?
Next time I am off work I'm going to go find a big rock and paint on it, glaze it and mount it onto a decorative piece of wood or something and see how much it can be worth unless I want to keep it. Then I'll just make another.

I just need a hobby, and creative things always make me feel accomplished.

Opal mining sounds fun. It's my birthstone and they are so pretty. I'm doing some research on google but does anyone know any cool things I can do like this in the mid-west region?
Are opals even present here or would I have to take a train?

Hmmmmm...

If you are in Oz (Australia), yeah I'd guess there's a train that would aid your quest

Yeah dude that's a really good idea. Just chisel some of that shit up and you'll have like a fuckin sphinx or something. If you make sure the eyes look realistic you're all set. That's all anyone fucking cares about nowadays anyway- the eyes.

Go for it dude, and remember- eyes.

Eh, I'm in the US. I'm going to go to some clay deposits and find Metatorbernite. I had to copy/paste that lol.

I'm going to rip some bark out of a tree, and make a dragon statue with a knife and make it's eyes out of the Metatorbernite.
Then I'm going to somehow make fire come out of its mouth. Not sure how yet, maybe paint the stone and glue them to look like a shattered flame then glaze it all so it stays together..

Problem is I'll have to make two to keep one I'll definitely be back to this thread posting the stuff I've made
Wish me luck and any help and advice would be much appreciated

high|hgih said:

Eh, I'm in the US. I'm going to go to some clay deposits and find Metatorbernite. I had to copy/paste that lol.

I'm going to rip some bark out of a tree, and make a dragon statue with a knife and make it's eyes out of the Metatorbernite.
Then I'm going to somehow make fire come out of its mouth. Not sure how yet, maybe paint the stone and glue them to look like a shattered flame then glaze it all so it stays together..

Problem is I'll have to make two to keep one I'll definitely be back to this thread posting the stuff I've made
Wish me luck and any help and advice would be much appreciated

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Nice, bro, that's what I was going to say. Get at it.

Meth?

They got gem mines in north west Utah southeast orgen you can buy a dozer full of rocks and sift trhough personally I just prefer sticking my finger in my ass to all that noise but tear it up bruh

See, I don't want to buy anything lol
I just want to do the work myself. If I can learn enough about veins and their locations I should have somewhat of an adventure ahead of me that'll take a lot of patience and time.

It seems like a fun hobby and somewhat source of income.
I've always liked little tacky statuettes and what-not

I'd say looking and ordering offline.

I had the same idea bout going into blade smithing. Even have a few sketches, the main problem though is finding raw materials.
Have this really cool idea for a kitchen knife set. Where the handles too all the knives (steak knives, fillet, bread, chef's, butchers, etc.) are all done up to look like the grip of mid-evil short swords, and the knife block is designed to look like a shield.

Right now though (since I don't have 5k to spend on an anvil) I'm working on turning old pallets into small furniture. I'm in the process of making a pirates chest with a false bottom. Just need to get a belt/disc sander so I level out the edges of the boards and make it sit a little bit more level.

Clay is easy enough, just dig deep enough in your back yard and you should find some.

I suggest getting a drimal tool rather then going in with chisels. Less chance of strike to hard and end up shattering your stones. Also start out on something cheap and working your way up to the precious gemstones.

Human bone brah. Plenty of places to dig right? boo ya! You're going to be an etsy millionaire!

Good luck though, I wish I had time like that.

goggle rockhounding with your state , Theirs something to be found everywear

Im in NY in certan areas we have loads of garnets and galena , in NJ some massive quartz crystals can be found

for sculpting dont overlook anthracite

LIBERTYCHICKEN said:

goggle rockhounding with your state , Theirs something to be found everywear

Im in NY in certan areas we have loads of garnets and galena , in NJ some massive quartz crystals can be found

for sculpting dont overlook anthracite

Click to expand...

Gore Mountain ftw

you can buy uncut and than work them yourself to be smooth or the shape texture you want and than work theminto something that is another option

kinetic said:

Gore Mountain ftw

Click to expand...

F the mountain

Check out the old dump sites

around the bottom of ant-hills........in the desert
Navajo Bullets

LIBERTYCHICKEN said:

F the mountain

Check out the old dump sites

Click to expand...

Meh, I'll pass on the dump sites and hang out around Plattes Cove where the eye is engraved into the cliff side.

sunni said:

you can buy uncut and than work them yourself to be smooth or the shape texture you want and than work theminto something that is another option

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foreskin.



carry on.

high|hgih said:

I've been thinking recently about doing some sculpture with gems and stones. I want to mine a big ass opal and carve it into a skull or something. It'd be worth a grand or two I could imagine, givin it was a good one.

I mean why not make some things and sell them at festies or etsy?
Next time I am off work I'm going to go find a big rock and paint on it, glaze it and mount it onto a decorative piece of wood or something and see how much it can be worth unless I want to keep it. Then I'll just make another.

I just need a hobby, and creative things always make me feel accomplished.

Opal mining sounds fun. It's my birthstone and they are so pretty. I'm doing some research on google but does anyone know any cool things I can do like this in the mid-west region?
Are opals even present here or would I have to take a train?

Hmmmmm...

Click to expand...

you wind up making 17 cents an hour on craft/jewelry sales. I hope you really enjoy your carving............