this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2025
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Went to the gemstone and lapidary club show and it was very interesting. Lots of stuff that I just wanted to touch because it was so polished and smooth. Lots of beautiful fossils and a gem faceting demonstration. It's a 2 day thing so I'm going back tomorrow because I've got a guy holding a lapis pendant for me (oops ๐ฌ๐ธ) and there was a piece of petrified wood that I really liked because it looked nice to hold in my hand and I hope it's still there. I bought an orthoceras pendant as well. I'd like something amber as well. Dammit there were so many things I wanted! I loved the opals and malachite as well.
Careful with amber, dodgy people cook it to look better than it really is.
most gemstones are heated to intensify colour, ๐คทโโ๏ธ they are still beautiful
the bad amber is ground up into a dust then compressed, synthetic resin may also be added ,
check using a black light, real amber glows a strange milky green, it's not real
the big problem is selling them at a higher price as if they are completely natural, heated are not
Nice. ๐
and , um, where is this wonderful show ๐ Found it https://eglc.com.au/events/
I might like an opalised shell fossil or a mosasaur tooth , maybe some moss agate and blue lace agate cabs I can put in rings
It's quite a small event in the local (to me) church hall, but I can look at that sort of thing for ages, and the Minipeelers share my love of fossils and minerals. I'd love to take them to that fossil place out in the eastern side of town, I've heard it's huge! (Edit: I may be thinking of Chrystal World in Devon Meadows?)
That looks awesome ๐
and you can stop off at Fossil Beach Mt Martha too ๐ The fossils are just there to pick up in plain sight, great for the Minis
once it's spring I'm off to the quarry in geelong to dig the fyansford formation