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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ Gem and Mineral Specimen Finds or Processes _ Stone Guitar Picks!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 4 2006, 10:41 AM

Check out what I have been working on.
Im enjoying making these so much, Im going to add them to the Miners Market.
smile.gif

 

Posted by: Trilobite Oct 4 2006, 09:27 PM

Not bad mom, but wont those be a bit stiff if you try to use them? tongue.gif
No, all joking aside, they are REALLY neat!
I might have to try one out with dads guitar when I get home. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 5 2006, 04:45 AM

Actually, I heard that once you try a stone pick, you wont want to go back to those flimsy cheap plastic ones. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 5 2006, 06:33 AM

So far all I have done are the standard sized picks.
Here's a picture of the same ones, just flipped over.

 

Posted by: Gat-Wa. Oct 5 2006, 10:32 AM

WOW Sis those are way cool picks good job!!!!!
Gat.

Posted by: jmann Oct 5 2006, 06:57 PM

Very nice gal. I think I know some folks that will be getting these for xmas. Thanks for the idea. Joe

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 6 2006, 05:01 AM

Thanks guys! happy.gif
I'll put a link here to the Market when I add them.
Here is a pic of a few more I did. The one on the left is fossilized dinosaur dung (Coprolite), and the one on the right is Del Norte Colorado Agate.

 

Posted by: russau Oct 6 2006, 05:33 AM

those are really neat! i wish i could play a guitar! genuine D&D stone guitar picks! what a fashion trend you could be on to!

Posted by: russau Oct 6 2006, 05:35 AM

you ought to send a set of them to the rolling stones! man what great advertising that would be!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 7 2006, 05:30 AM

biggrin.gif Good Idea Russ, but The Rolling Stones are on a world tour right now. I think in London at the moment....hehe

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 12 2006, 11:22 AM

ohmy.gif These Arizona Petrified Wood ones blew me away when I was done,
they turned out great! The colors and the honey comb patterns in them are very cool, and If you hold them up to the light you can see the pattern through them.
Very strong picks and from what Im hearing, the stone picks actually makes them sound better. cool.gif

Im going to be working on more petrified wood ones but way different patterns.
I cant wait to see how they turn out.
smile.gif

 

Posted by: Trilobite Oct 12 2006, 06:25 PM

These pick's are pretty good, I just tryed one out.
Obviously they're pretty stiff, and from what I've seen I dont think they wear out as fast as a regular plastic pick.

Posted by: jmann Oct 12 2006, 08:04 PM

I seen on the world news tonite that the Stones are in Minnesota. They are doing an OUTSIDE concert there. It is also snowing to beat the band there tonite. hehe Joe

Posted by: thegeno Oct 20 2006, 03:48 AM

Now ya got me hooked!... I'd really like to try them out... how much to send me one of each?...
Thanks,
geno

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 23 2006, 12:31 PM

happy.gif They are cool, arent they Geno.
By, "how much to send me one of each?".........are you meaning styles?
This is a different style pick I have been working on.
I put one of the classic (27mm wide x 32mm long)sized picks in the middle I made to show the size of the tear drop (18mm wide x 25mm long) shaped ones.

Most of the picks I have made so far vary in thickness from 1.5mm-3.0mm.
What style/thickness do you prefer to use?
smile.gif

 

Posted by: thegeno Oct 24 2006, 03:02 AM

I prefer the triangular shapes rather than the teardrop... (1.5-2mm). I just bought a carton of smokes and a new set of strings so I'm ready for another week of convalesence.

Posted by: fanatic Oct 24 2006, 04:57 AM

shes talking in millimeters......is that our official measurement system? hehehe

Thay are definitely beautiful and unique Denise!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 24 2006, 07:34 AM

Most seem to prefer that style Geno. wink.gif

Hehehe Fanatic, thanks. I put alot of work into them.
Here is another set of petrified wood ones.
A way different look from the red ones arent they?
The shape looks off on the side ones, but they arent. Its just the angle I took the shot.
I need to try to be right over them when I take pics I guess.
biggrin.gif

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 24 2006, 08:33 AM

Lets try this picture.
blush.gif

This picture is a bit dark, but you can still see the colors.
They look like cloud patterns.

 

Posted by: thegeno Oct 25 2006, 04:54 AM

Just beautiful!

Posted by: fanatic Oct 26 2006, 05:43 AM

I need to branch out and get a better rockhounding education! Wish I'd have paid more attention in Earth Science class. But there was this girl.......

Posted by: Trilobite Oct 27 2006, 09:22 AM

Heres a pic of mom shaping a guitar pick. See how close her fingers are to the diamond wheel?
Thats why she's got short nails on those fingers! laugh.gif
She told me this particular pick is 1.8 millimeters thick.

 

Posted by: russau Oct 28 2006, 01:58 PM

the hands of a artistic mom! cant get any better than that!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 31 2006, 06:05 AM

blush.gif

Posted by: russau Oct 31 2006, 07:37 AM

denise id like to buy two of your triangle picks for two of my friends. geno and matt mattson. thisll give geno something else todo while hes recouping from surgury. let me know the cost/shipping and ill get it to you! russ

Posted by: thegeno Nov 3 2006, 04:17 AM

Denise, I got the pick yesterday and have been playing with it... I like it, but it takes some getting used to as it is quite a bit stiffer than the picks I have been using. It is a thing of beauty though, no doubt about that!
Thank You!
geno

Posted by: Mrs.CP Nov 3 2006, 07:16 AM

happy.gif
Glad to hear you like it Geno.
How does it sound? I hear it changes the tone for the better.

Im still working on listing them in the Market.
I will be listing them all individually so you will be able to choose the guitar pick your looking at.
smile.gif

Posted by: thegeno Nov 4 2006, 03:55 AM

I haven't noticed a difference in tone, except perhaps for a slight "scratchy" sound when I have the guitar amplified. I play a Fender Stratacoustic.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Nov 19 2006, 07:05 AM

I would love to hear you play Geno! Maybe you can bring it to the RMMR 2007'. smile.gif

I listed the guitar picks in the market yesterday. Here is the link to them.
http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/FolkArt/StoneGuitarPicks.html

This is the moss agate pick I was working on in the picture posted above.

 

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Nov 27 2006, 09:09 AM

Nice work babe! happy.gif

Thought I would post about a non-slip pro-grip some folks use to hold onto highly polished picks while playing.
Since these are polished to a glass like surface......... biggrin.gif
I used to use this stuff as a league bowler years and years ago and as it turns out, we found an instrument site that sells it for pick gription. biggrin.gif Stuff works great!
You can purchase some at http://www.elderly.com/also/accessories/items/G17.htm if needed. wink.gif

Sweet picks made by my sweetheart! wub.gif biggrin.gif

CP

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Nov 29 2006, 09:04 AM

wub.gif Thanks Dan.
Cool link, they have some pretty neat stuff.

Posted by: El Dorado Mar 16 2007, 01:59 PM

Your pics inspired me to try one. Pretty thin at 1.28mm, but the next one I think I can get under 1mm. It's for my son-in law

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Mar 17 2007, 03:43 PM

Fantastic guitar pic El Dorado! You did a great job. That banded agate sure is pretty. You know the location where that piece came from?

Posted by: El Dorado Mar 18 2007, 09:45 AM

I sure do, it came from a box in my garage! When I got my first saw and cabber, they came with 2 boxes full of materials........

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 7 2007, 01:36 PM

Here is a picture of a few more I have recently made. The crazy lace ones sure turned out cool! Sorry for the fuzzy picture.

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 15 2007, 03:21 PM

Here is one I made for my personal collection. Its made from a piece
of a moss agate Thunderegg. Sure is cool stuff! wub.gif
Its hard to see the detail though in this picture.

 

Posted by: russau Apr 16 2007, 05:27 AM

if you use your imagination that last pick looks kinda like the west coast shore line w/Alaksa

Posted by: jmann Apr 16 2007, 06:22 PM

Deffently a keeper Denise. Russ is Captain Morgan visiting you again? hehe Joe

Posted by: russau Apr 17 2007, 05:17 AM

heck he never left from the last time 25 years ago!

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Jun 23 2007, 08:03 AM

Hey folks,

If you haven't checked out the new picks lately we have added "ultra thins" and also dinosaur bone picks are on the way next.
The ultra's are way cool.....all 1.25mm or less. cool.gif
All hand made by my lovely better half. Denise polishes these babys out and they are absolutely spectacular! biggrin.gif

Stop by the http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/minersmarket.html soon to see all the new stuff.

CP

Posted by: toddarice Aug 6 2007, 02:39 PM

Don't know where else to put this, so here goes!

Well, I got one recently. And if you don't have one, get one. These picks are great. I am having a ball and will upload another one of my noisey videos (and maybe a tony carrie song or two) in the near future. Like I said, if you don't have one, get one. Here:
http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/FolkArt/StoneGuitarPicks.html

Posted by: Mrs.CP Aug 7 2007, 08:45 AM

blush.gif Very glad you like it Todd!
Im looking forward to hearing your next "noisey" video. biggrin.gif
Thanks for the compliments!

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Aug 22 2007, 07:16 PM

Hi all,

A couple more new guitar pics fresh out of the lap shop! smile.gif

These ones are pretty amazing, Denise does an awesome job finishing them off! cool.gif

Rutilated quartz is a neat stone to work with.
Both of these are awesome!



 

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Aug 22 2007, 07:20 PM

This is a petrified wood from Eden vally Wyoming most likely....beautiful patterns cut cross grained and just blow you away grain patterns when cut length wise with the grain. ohmy.gif
This one is cut with the grain! WOW!! happy.gif

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 2 2007, 08:32 AM

Thanks Dan! happy.gif Those did turn out good.

Here are a few more Im working on listing in the Miners Market.
I had more dino bone ones, but those were the best seller at the BV show.

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 2 2007, 08:33 AM

Those Dino ones have amazing patterns...and so do these!!

3 more Coprolite ones that also turned out very well. Think it was a meat eater? wink.gif

 

Posted by: ScottKS Sep 2 2007, 11:43 AM

COOL beans i mean picks laugh.gif

Posted by: jim Sep 8 2007, 06:46 AM

As usual denise you have produced some really beautiful work.And the dino do is purty too. Jim

Posted by: fourcornersrocks Sep 9 2007, 12:24 AM

Nice picks, I like the rutilated quartz the best. I bet the dino bone ones would be the best overall though, I play guitar and something durable is always good.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 17 2007, 02:02 PM

Thanks Dude, those ones did turn out good. smile.gif
Here is another picture of the dinosaur bone pick shown from the last page (bottom left). This pic shows Dan holding it, so you can see how its translucent is several spots.


Posted by: Mrs.CP Jan 23 2008, 12:05 PM

There have been alot of people suggesting we drill holes in some of the
http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/FolkArt/StoneGuitarPicks.html for using as necklaces. ohmy.gif

This is something we would really rather not do to them, because it may weaken the pick and makes it not as easily accessable for use when playing.

Guess what Dan just made today......... wub.gif
He's sooooo smart and creative! Now the guitar pick can be easily removed, and placed back in the wire wrap when not in use. Makes an amazing looking necklace, and the pick doesnt have to be drilled. Won't loose it this way either!


Thanks Dan, great idea!
smile.gif

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jan 29 2008, 01:56 PM

Here is a recent guitar pick that http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2117 inspired me to make. biggrin.gif
Triangle guitar picks seem to work for him!

Its made from a Del Norte Colorado Agate, and is only 1.3 mm thin.
That Del Norte agate sure is some classy looking stuff!
happy.gif

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Feb 10 2008, 09:41 AM

Here are instructions Dan put together on how the guitar pick slips work.

http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2144



Im working on adding them to the Miners Market.......They will make a great addition!

BTW......Nice looking guitar pick you have there CP!
wink.gif

Posted by: ScottKS Feb 10 2008, 02:17 PM

Dan and Denise them are really really cool....they are so cool i thought i would give one a try.... laugh.gif.....didn't turn out exact and isn't as cool as yours but i thought it was worth a try......you D's are a inspiration biggrin.gif

 

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Feb 16 2008, 01:17 PM

Cool Scott. Nice pick BTW! happy.gif

We just added a few extremely nice collector guitar picks in the CP Miners Market today everyone.....stop by to check them all out soon!


This one is a petrified wood from Eden Valley Wyoming. biggrin.gif

 

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Feb 16 2008, 01:21 PM

Another petrified wood.

 

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Feb 16 2008, 01:24 PM

1 more for eye candy today.....Arizona petrified wood. wink.gif
Enjoy.

 

Posted by: faaus Feb 20 2008, 12:30 AM

FINE job on those! More kudos to the CP's!

That first pet wood pick looks like picture jasper from the "scene" in it.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Feb 20 2008, 02:29 PM

Thanks Faaus! happy.gif That wood sure is pretty stuff.
You like that last piece of wood from Eden Valley, you are really going to like these!
Hard to see the great shine I got from them, but the color sure shows in the pic.

Cut from the same piece as you can see, I made a guitar pick from one
and the cabochon from the other. The part thats cloudy white is translucent when you hold it up to the light. Fantastic piece of petrified wood! Dan did a great job as always slabbing these for me. wub.gif

Im not sure what Im going to do with these......
Maybe save for a contest. biggrin.gif

 

Posted by: cornwall84 Feb 21 2008, 07:24 AM

Thats really pretty,

Its funny i have just packed the one you sent me to send to a friend in scotland.

I am sure that he will love it.

biggrin.gif biggrin.gif

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Feb 21 2008, 07:50 PM

Very cool CW! cool.gif We would love to hear what your friend thinks of the pick sometime too.

Here is one that kinda "fell" into my personal collection. tongue.gif
Must be a slabbers fee! biggrin.gif laugh.gif

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Feb 22 2008, 09:34 AM

Your so spoiled Dan. wub.gif But you can slab them better than anyone I know.

For those who would also like to have one fall into their collection,
you can order yours at the http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/FolkArt/StoneGuitarPicks.html.

This guitar pick is made from Sow Belly agate from here in Colorado.

Some may even be able to get their own this way.
smile.gif
http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2097

 

Posted by: toddarice Mar 2 2008, 02:37 PM

Oooohhh...the one at the top of the page has to be the coolest I've ever seen!
Now, if anybody wants to "kinda" hear what they sound like, go over to the "Jam Sessions" catagory and follow the thread. I did a Joe Satriani song with this pick. It is great!!!!!!
Thanks D&D!

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Mar 6 2008, 09:02 AM

TY Todd and for those interested......here's the direct link to Todd's recording using a ColoradoProspector.com stone pick if you would like to listen. biggrin.gif
http://thoam.com/index.php?automodule=gallery&req=si&img=547
Careful.......it's HOT!! cool.gif

CP

Posted by: Mrs.CP Mar 20 2008, 01:48 PM

Sounds awesome Todd!! biggrin.gif

Here are a few I was able to get from a cool piece of Fire Agate from a friend.
They are not perfect as you can see by the small cracks at the top of them, but they sure turned out great! All the spots that have brown have flashy fire in it. You can see the fire on both side on the one pick on the left. Both are very thin. happy.gif
The plume with this stuff is amazing! Its white with pink and red swirled together.
Very hard to see any detail from this picture, but I think they sure look cool held up to the light. Sure is pretty stuff and was fun to work!

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Mar 20 2008, 01:54 PM

Dan added this picture to the Rockin' For Mining thread, but I want to put it here also since this is from Fire Agate we mined ourselves from the Opal Hill mine.
I catch myself playing with the little orange ball flame in the pick to the top....hehe
The fire in that bubble is orange and then green if you hold it right. happy.gif

This stuff has the most amazing fire bubbles!
Even the crystal areas have color flashes like blue, green, orange, and red.
wub.gif

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 25 2008, 11:41 AM

Here is one Im keeping for myself from a slice of blue ThunderEgg,
with great shadow bands in it. wub.gif
Its slabbed so thin, its hard to see its blue when held up to the light,
but put it on a white piece of paper and you can definately tell its blue.

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 25 2008, 11:47 AM

Here is one from a purple piece of Chalcedony with dendritic inclusions.
This one is also for my personal collection.
The white plume in it is very pretty, and mixed with the dendritic looks like a butterfly in the upper top left.
happy.gif

Does the stone look familiar bigcats?
You wanted to know what a guitar pick would look like from it, so here it is.
It turned out beautiful!!

 

Posted by: russau Apr 26 2008, 05:37 AM

these pics are just great! is there anyone else making picks like you are doing? maybe you have cornered the market on these! have you sent out(free) to any bands/artists to use these and maybe get some free advertising around the country? wouldnt this be so cooooooool, having a big band/artist saying "I only use D&D stone picks!"

Posted by: Mrs.CP May 16 2008, 11:01 AM

Uhoh...Looks like Russ missed a few posts.......hehe
Read the second post I made in this thread (page5).
2 of the people on the list are even friends of yours I believe, that received a free guitar pick I made from material we found prospecting. smile.gif (Rockin' For Mining!)

As for being the only one making these......No way!....hehe
Stone has to be some of the oldest medium used for picks.

QUOTE
"wouldnt this be so cooooooool, having a big band/artist saying "I only use D&D stone picks!"

There are several out there now that do say that Russ. blush.gif
Im very proud to know they enjoy and play with the picks we make.
All are made will lots of love and care by me, after slabbed by Dan.

Here is one I made from material we found near Del Norte Colorado.
The agate patterns look like bubbles, and when you move it around, you can see shadows inside each bubble.....This one is also mine. biggrin.gif

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jun 6 2008, 06:21 AM

Here are a few I made from matterial Jim slabbed thin for picks and gave to us at the Spring Fling.
You wanted to see, so here they are Jim. smile.gif
Thanks again for the material, sure is cool stuff!!

This one is a triangle guitar pick style made from black moss Agate.

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jun 6 2008, 06:25 AM

This one is from Botswana Agate......Each little dark dot is translucent when held up to the light...Almost looks like little eyes..hehe

Both of these are going into my personal collection also.
happy.gif

 

Posted by: jim Jun 6 2008, 06:41 AM

WOW........thems way cool. that batswana is unreal. the plume aint bad either.

Posted by: toddarice Jun 6 2008, 12:13 PM

Too cool! Man, you guys go!
I used to make some out of silver. Loved those picks. And these!
T.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jun 10 2008, 06:13 AM

Scott.......You were saying last night in chat that you wanted to use your Miners Market gift certificate you won on a stone guitar pick for your mom, but didnt see a blue one listed in the Market.

Let me know If you want the blue ThunderEgg one I posted above.
Its a piece from the ThunderEgg Dan made a wrapped necklace for Goldie-NS with.
I will pull It from my personal collection for you to give your mom. smile.gif
Just let me know, and its yours.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jul 14 2008, 10:56 AM

Scotts mom picked a different one. One that looked like a sunset she said...hehe

It so happened that the kid down the roads favorite color is also blue, so his dad bought that blue thunderegg one for him. smile.gif
He said when he handed it to his 12 year old son to have, he looked at him like this
ohmy.gif and said..."I can play with this??"... Then dissapeared into his room for over an hour to practice. His dad said that when he finally came out of his room he had tears in his eyes and said he loved it! Dad said it also brought tears to his eyes. Since getting the guitar pick, he has been practicing playing more his dad says.

Hearing that was music to my ears!
wub.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jul 14 2008, 11:00 AM

That wont be our only Thunderegg guitar pick. wink.gif
Here are a few Im working on right now. These are a must see in hand.
The shadow bands and colors are amazing!

These are not done yet, but you get the picture. So far I have only worked the shape into them...Lots of work to go!

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jul 14 2008, 11:03 AM

Here are a few slabs from this Thunderegg, that will make some great guitar picks......All will be thins.

 

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jul 14 2008, 11:10 AM

I usually finger play the guitar, but when I do use a pick, I prefer a triangle shape. (1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch)

Here is a traingle shape I made out of moss agate.
Looks like a satalite image, looking down into the eye of a tornado. biggrin.gif

Dan is working on a wrap that will release the triangle pick so it can be worn or played. Have I told you how awesome you are yet today Dan? wink.gif happy.gif

I will soon be adding some triangle guitar picks to the http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/FolkArt/StoneGuitarPicks.html section of the Miners Market, so keep a look out for them.

 

Posted by: jim Jul 17 2008, 02:47 PM

wow, your pick production has really turned into some beautiful work. mother nature has done some nice stuff too.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Aug 9 2008, 09:36 PM

Dan wrapped my traingle guitar pick so I can wear it and play with it now.
happy.gif I'll add a picture of it later. Thanks Dan, you did a great job on it!

Here is one that came from the Moss Thunderegg slabs above.
Kind of looks like a classy tuxedo to me...hehe

 

Posted by: russau Aug 10 2008, 05:34 AM

wow your doing some nice work!looks like it maybe a bit of fun for you also!

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Aug 10 2008, 09:50 AM

Thanks Russ, we do enjoy working with the different stones since they are all so individually unique. Ma' natures tiny treasures within! biggrin.gif

Denise does a really nice job on all the hand work to shape/polish them out too! cool.gif Good work honey. wub.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Aug 10 2008, 12:22 PM

Thanks Dan....Its a team work kind of thing though...hehe wink.gif

Here is my guitar pick that Dan wrapped (is removable from its wrap)......Sorry, I wasnt willing to take it off for the picture. blush.gif But am willing to share a picture of it.

 

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Dec 4 2008, 02:24 PM

Here is another one that went with the two in pic/post #2 this page........when I first cut this last summer and saw the pattern I instantly thought of SL9 striking Jupiter.... chores041.gif What can I say, my imagination wandered! excited.gif
Denise says it's Thunderegg yolks in there.... biggrin.gif



What do you see?
Unfortunately this one fell into my personal collection as I'm rather fond of it......but one of the first two in the pic above will be listed in the Miners Market soon. wink.gif Along with many more new and very colorful guitar picks....several in shades of thundereggs. arms.gif

CP

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Dec 4 2008, 02:32 PM

Here is another one, probably from the Priday ranch in Oregon too.
Very pretty moss, purple hues with a green slash and a few clear pockets.
Nice shine on this one as you can see too. Wow honey excellent job! wub.gif happy088.gif

Ok, Ok...... I won't keep this one for the collection. laugh.gif Boy it's a nice un' tho'!


Posted by: ColoradoProspector Dec 7 2008, 01:39 PM

We decided that purple plume one in the last post should be added to the CP treasure chest. biggrin.gif

Also, we just updated the Miners Market with over a dozen new stone guitar picks......more coming soon of course too. We've both been busy working so hard on lapidary projects and web work lately that the pic taking / listing has slacked a bit. Got to get that cloning machine up and running soon!! laugh.gif

All picks in stock (currently over 50) have been very carefully checked for fractures. If we find any with fractures during production they are immediately culled out.
Stop in to browse all the new picks soon. Here's a few to wet the whistle on the way over to that page. excited.gif

This one is a really cool shadow banded Baker thunderegg pick. It's even got a spiffy druzy pocket......oooo sparkles.



Here is an actual "South Park" petrified wood. Very nice color in this wood and from Colorado! happy088.gif

And this one is a pretty neat fire agate with awesome banding and even has a bit of "fire" flashing in the upper right corner.



Ok, just one more but this one hasn't yet been listed. Just had to share this one though........Man these T-eggs sure can be neat!!
jawdrop.gif Good job Denise!! whew!


And just wait till' ya' see the next batch.......oooooo boy!
Cya's soon

CP


Posted by: ColoradoProspector Feb 3 2009, 11:42 AM

Boy, the T-eggs sure can produce some nifty colors and patterns!
Here's another recently completed from a Baker pit Thunderegg. jawdrop.gif Nice n' thin too at only 1.75 mm and is very smooth in hand! Good job once again Denise! happy088.gif


Posted by: ColoradoProspector Feb 3 2009, 11:58 AM

This is one cut from fire agate and not showing the "fire" much, but you can definately see how fire agate formation occurs in the banding blended with bubbles or boytroidal.....WOWSER! Clear, white, and the copper inclusion reds. It does show hints of "fire" near the edges in hand and the mix of clear with red areas has rainbow colored twinkles due to the crystal type form that tried to blend......maybe the blender wasn't on high enough though. smiley-laughing021.gif


Posted by: jim Feb 3 2009, 05:20 PM

DROOOL...........WOW worthy.gif

Posted by: nm jack Feb 4 2009, 07:53 PM

music017.gif Sure is pretty fire agate!!!

Posted by: thegeno Feb 5 2009, 11:00 AM

WOW! I guess that pretty much says it all! You have really made some beautififul artwork guitar picks. I still have the one you made for me and when I play acoustically, thats the one I use or for a "special " sound on the electric. Awesome stuff guys!
geno

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Feb 8 2009, 03:16 PM

Thank you all for the very nice compliments. biggrin.gif

Awesome Geno, very cool to hear you favor the stone pick, we would all love to hear a sound shot sometime too. happy088.gif

For those of you reading but haven't seen these in the online store yet, you can check them all out on the http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/FolkArt/StoneGuitarPicks.html Stop in soon and check back often, new guitar picks are added frequently, ranging in thickness from under 1mm to 3mm and up.
chores041.gif

CP

Posted by: Mrs.CP Mar 8 2009, 12:15 PM

QUOTE (ColoradoProspector @ Feb 3 2009, 12:58 PM) *
This is one cut from fire agate and not showing the "fire" much, but you can definately see how fire agate formation occurs in the banding blended with bubbles or boytroidal.....WOWSER! Clear, white, and the copper inclusion reds. It does show hints of "fire" near the edges in hand and the mix of clear with red areas has rainbow colored twinkles due to the crystal type form that tried to blend......maybe the blender wasn't on high enough though. smiley-laughing021.gif



Thanks Dan!
The fire agate guitar picks are one of my favorites to make. I love the patterns in them!!
Im glad you all like them as well, and dont forget that sales in the Miners Market and memberships to the club help keep the http://www.coloradoprospector.com/ website up and running for everyone.
Thanks for all your support! smile.gif

Posted by: Zer0ne Mar 29 2009, 09:14 AM


Black Brasilian Agate 1.5mm Combo Grip Pick


I was curious to know what gear is used to produce a stone guitar pick & how the creative process is conducted. Any educational link reference or reply is appreciated.


http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=107286332

http://www.myspace.com/robertkreider1

Posted by: jim Mar 31 2009, 11:18 PM

Now......If you are talking about making picks as part of your lapidary hobby that is one thing. On the other hand if you are talking about mass produceing it's another. I make my picks on my 6'' flat lap. I first slice my stone on my 10'' stone saw to the thickness that I want. Then mark the slabs using a regular plastic pick for a template. I'll then go back to the saw and trim to get rid of excess but leaveing the mark well visable. I start by using my 120 grit lap to shape to the mark. i'll also start a bevel around both sides. I'll then go to 400 grit and finish shapeing and refineing the outer edge. Then to polish.
This is roughly the process that I go through to make a pick but, it is not the same with everyone. Dan and Denise use thier genie to do thier picks and I am sure thier procedure differs from mine alot. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we all do things differently. No one taught me to do picks.I just had the desire to give it a try.
As far as mass produceing picks go it's bound to be done by machines.I see no other way to get them exactly the same every time. No two picks that I make are the exact same. They are made individually and differ from one to the next. In my opinion that fact makes them better.Theres not a machine made that can put its heart into what it makes nor take pride in it's production. I do both!
By the way I have posted some of my picks in the forum if you want to take a look. wink.gif Jim

Posted by: jim Apr 1 2009, 07:08 AM

I condensed my explaination quite a bit. chin.gif Feel free to post more questions if you like.

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Apr 1 2009, 08:45 AM

Hello ZerOne and welcome to the ColoradoProspector website/formus. Make yourself right at home browsing the entire website.
Cool Brazilian agate pick in the pic too.
For our production we go through normal lapidary processes using mostly diamond carbide saws and cabbers (grinders) working each one by hand and continuosly culling out any fractured or flawed pieces so that only the highest quality finished picks are listed.
There are at least three visits to one of the 3 rock saws through the steps in our shop, begining with slicing or slabbing as it's called the rough material that we know is hard enough to not wear out on steel strings. Thickness on the picks is consistent all the way across ranging from very thick 3mm and over to our extremely rare ultra thins which are under 1mm.

Once slabbed and trimmed, each pick is then worked free hand on the cabbing machine which has five steps from rough to polish with grits ranging from 100 through 14,000. Both sides must be worked to match as well as all edges rounded over to create a smooth playing surface free of any catches or divots etc.
We've had requests for large quantities at lower prices but we just won't as the picks are not as good finished out in mass (tumbled) rather than hand worked. Like Jim said, no machine can put the care and attention in needed to achieve high quality.

Thanks for posting up the question ZerOne and sorry for the delayed response too. We are still in move mode but we are always happy to answer everyones questions. Believe me, there have been literally hundreds of q's about how we make the picks. music030.gif That's one of the coolest things about the internet, everyone can interact and learn from each other about the best techniques. I know alot of folks gave us tips and advice when we were first starting out which we've always been happy to share with everyone around the CP website. happy088.gif
Hope I've answered your question and feel free to post more up if not.

CP

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 4 2009, 08:05 AM

Hi Zer0ne and welcome to the forums. Nice Brazilian Agate with grips. I have considered adding grip spots to the picks I make before like that, but Im worried it would weaken the pick so I havent yet. Was also the reason Dan decided to make http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/FolkArt/StoneGuitarPickWrap.html to be removed and played with instead of drilling holes in them. However, I have used natural grip spots in the stones to double as such, like the NM Baker Thunderegg with shadow bands. (also pictured on the previous page of this thread)




Enjoy the site. smileywaving.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 14 2009, 07:35 AM

Here is another example of how I use natural grip spots.
This is one from my collection that I carry around with me in my pocket....hehe
Very strong, and I made sure there was no pockets close to the tip of the pick for playing.
After all, it is a tool and has to function as such.



Plus.....You cant beat American mined and made products. smileyflag.gif

Posted by: Trilobite Apr 14 2009, 01:25 PM

Ha, natural grips huh.... I see. Very sparkly natural grips.
you think it would keep your fingers aired out while you play? blink.gif chin.gif
And it's easy to tell why it's in your pocket collection.

Posted by: Zer0ne Apr 22 2009, 12:42 PM

drool.gif .....makes me wish i had gear to cut my own picks, cause your not going to find anything like this for sale on the market. nice cut!

If i were to blend the variety of:
http://www.erockshop.com/Stone_Guitar_Picks_s/18.htm

with the innovative cut designs of:
http://www.picksandstones.com/combo.php

and the creative thinking in:
http://www.coloradoprospector.com/

Add gold trim with inlaid gems and we would have one hell of a product..hello http://www.tiffany.com of guitar picks



--Now if i can just get that meteor to fall to earth

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Apr 22 2009, 09:32 PM

Hi ZerOne,

Thank you for the kind compliments. That material will yet produce a few more picks, hopefully some thins like that one was.

Not a problem at all mentioning other sites, thanks for the links. I've seen the picksandstones site and they do have some nice shapes in their options.

Maybe someday we can work on some together as a custom project with you. Let us know if you see something you might like to try that with.

We've just uploaded some new thin picks today in the Miners Market too.....Here's a couple added today.

This one cut from an Oregon ThunderEgg


And this one is Coprolite or dino dung


Stop by soon to see all the rest of the new added picks everyone. biggrin.gif http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/minersmarket.html

Posted by: Zer0ne Apr 23 2009, 01:35 PM



http://fusionanomaly.net



Materials im interested in would be along the lines of: Red Horn Coral, Rutilated Quartz, Dinosuar Bone, Meteorite, but there are so many interesting rocks, it would be difficult to choose, it's a matter of aquiring an excellent specimen. Im into anything clever and creative like i see here at coloradoprospector.com, learning new pick patterns is nothing, your eye for bringing out unique qualities in the rocks is real skill.

You know what would be cool, if you could cut Meteorite in the shape of Star Trek and market it in time for the movie, probably make a few bucks, i asked http://starmediagroup.web.aplus.net/wwwmeteoriteguitarpickscom/index.html if they could cut a pick like that for me, but i don't think they took me seriously. Also i used to run http://www.nicosintimatenotebook.com/, it looks nothing like how i originally created it, my brother does it now, im sure it might still bring in clients. Maybe we can get your site linked in the menu.

I was thinking something that can still look good with only the edges & tip polished. You see the thing with Picks and Stones new grip line is that i was looking for a better grip, one that was not slippery when wet. He told me none of my ideas were possible which i could not understand, but he was more than just troublesome to work with and even screwed me out of a bloodstone pick i sent him to work with that he has up for sale now. He's more than just lucky i don't have uber elite hack0rz skillz or know one to mess his site up for that.
atomic.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 24 2009, 08:29 AM

Thanks for the kind compliments. happy.gif Great ideas ZerOne!
From what you have mentioned so far, all sounds possible to me.
I do all the work by hand, so polishing just the edges and the tip is possible.

Sorry you had problems with Picksandstones, thats a bummer! Some days life is just a live and learn.

I love the idea of shapes like the Star Trek symbol (as long as the pick remains playable)
I have thought of making a "Pick of destiny" replica out of green Jade, or a green agate.
Carved top with a perfect playing tip. Sounds like a fun challenge to me.
music017.gif

Were you looking for a deeper grip? Or?
We would be happy to try to help with custom lapidary services if possible. Always feel free to contact us.
We keep in close contact all the way through each process on special orders to assure customer satisfaction.
Including pictures during the steps. happy088.gif

Denise

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Apr 26 2009, 07:28 PM

Here is a cool "specimen set" we are just introducing. The sets being a usable or wearable lapidary piece along with it's parent polished specimen. biggrin.gif
This one is an Oregon double thunderegg and a matching guitar pick cut from it's juicy inards with killer druzy pockets! jawdrop.gif
Keep your eyes on the CP miners market for this to be added over the next few days.

So if one person likes the rocks and the other in the house likes "to rock".......everyone wins! char092.gif smiley-music024.gif



CP

Posted by: Zer0ne Apr 27 2009, 06:23 AM

http://www.myspace.com/robertkreider1

Maybe even cut a slot that the pick can sit in around the top mid brown area.

Might be interesting to use http://home.comcast.net/~jtozour/ rocks if they are practical, they would at least make interesting website peices to show their glows...market them as Alien Picks stirthepot.gif . Father and i used to goto quarries and dig Dinosaur footprints and such, i remember these rocks from his mining ventures, he would literally go down on very long thick ropes.

http://fusionanomaly.net/alberteinstein.html

-"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."

Posted by: Mrs.CP May 8 2009, 09:49 PM

Sounds like some great adventures with your father.
Im all for using fluorescent rocks as long as they are hard enough. Most that were pictured would be too soft for picks though. sad.gif

Here is one for all those who like Arizona Agate and Arizona Gold. See the nice little surprise revealed when Dan sliced this one?
I was amazed I didnt work out the gold while making it.



The gold in it wasnt what caught my eye though...It was the fantastic look it has when held up to the light. wub.gif
Here is a picture of it held up and flipped to the other side.
Fantastic cut Dan! Your the man.


Posted by: Zer0ne May 11 2009, 10:59 AM

That's pretty dam hot

Posted by: Mrs.CP May 16 2009, 06:22 AM

Thanks ZerOne, that one is pretty hot! We still have some of that rock left to cut up.
Will be fun to see how much more gold is hiding in it. I have a template for a Reuleaux triangle
guitar pick, so Im going to make a few of those as well. I love the shape. smile.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jun 1 2009, 12:56 PM

Im really liking this shape. Here is one I made the other day from a Priday moss ThunderEgg (1.3 mm). happy088.gif




Posted by: nm jack Jun 3 2009, 08:17 AM

Wow!! Those are really neat. happy088.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jun 5 2009, 07:26 AM

Thanks Jack. smile.gif I really enjoy making them, and even more hearing them being played with.

Here is a Coprolite (dino dung) that turned out kind of crappy..... wink.gif Pun intended.
Who said you cant polish a turd?
laught16.gif


Posted by: ColoradoProspector Aug 17 2009, 03:52 PM

smiley-laughing021.gif laught16.gif
A darn spiffy polished turd it is too!! tongue.gif Does it still smell funny? Nice job Denise!

Here is a new guitar pick and necklace set that we just finished, made from Eden valley Wyoming petrified wood with a natural "cross" shape inside.
cool.gif
Matching consecutive slabs make this a very rare and unique set. Wrapped in a solid sterling silver square wire with sterling silver necklace.
This set will be listed on the http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/FolkArt/CollectorStoneGuitarPicks.html page within the next couple of days.




Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 25 2009, 10:51 AM

Thanks Dan! Fantastic wire wrap! happy088.gif Here is a specimen set, that will come with both guitar picks. I wasnt sure what pick to use in the set, so I decided both would work. biggrin.gif If your a camoflauge fan like we are, you will really like this set made from Coprolite. The guitar pick on the left is very translucent when held up.


Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 7 2009, 05:35 AM

Here is a beautiful blue guitar pick that I made to go with its http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/Specimens/Sets.html. wink.gif
Fantastic patterns with a great Iris effect.


Posted by: Mrs.CP Nov 9 2009, 12:22 PM

The best reviews for how it sounds, comes from this little beauty here.
They say the Jade has a crisp clean sound, especially thin.



Its 1.3 mm in thickness and made from Wyoming Black Jade. Believe it or not, this pick is translucent when held to a light.
Im going to have to make more of these it seems. happy088.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Dec 6 2009, 05:30 PM

Here is the half of a beautiful blue New Mexico Thunderegg, and a slab thats going to make a matching guitar pick. wub.gif



and here is it after the guitar pick was made.



Here is a picture of the other side of the guitar pick........Is it me, or is that formation in the stone kind of strange looking? spock.gif
Looks like it has arms, legs and an eye to me, but Im strange.
biggrin.gif


Posted by: Mrs.CP Dec 7 2009, 08:18 AM

I love working with petrified wood, so here is one made from Palm Wood. cool.gif



chores017.gif

Posted by: jim Dec 7 2009, 03:39 PM

happy088.gif Incredable work as usual Denise. That t-egg pick is beautiful.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Dec 8 2009, 06:00 AM

Thanks Jim! That sepecimen set did turn out incredible! happy088.gif
We work really hard at making sure we have nice items listed in the Miners Market for everyone.

Remember, most of these picks are for sale in the Miners Market and sales help keep the site open for everyone to learn and enjoy. So If you know of someone who wants a stone guitar pick, you know where to send them. cool.gif

Thanks for all your support.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Dec 15 2009, 06:44 AM

Here is a really cool Arizona agate guitar pick that measures at 1.48 mm.(thin)
While working this one, a bit of gold appeared on the right side of it. smiley-shocked003.gif
Shame though, by the time I finished working it the gold was gone.
Either way, this one turned out nice! happy088.gif I love the patterns in it!


Posted by: Mrs.CP Dec 16 2009, 06:45 AM

Here is another Arizona agate, but this one is a bit different looking. It measures 1.37mm(thin)
It also has a nice little druzy hole that goes all the way through it.



Thanks for looking.
happy088.gif

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Jan 20 2010, 02:42 PM

Nice one's Denise! Love the deep rich golden colors in both the last two pictured. smile.gif Getting a really nice polish on those too, WOW! happy088.gif

Here's another pick she recently completed from a very thin slice of green Wyoming jade. The slice was cut at 0.95 mm and after she was finished working it through to polish, it now measure 0.85 mm. smiley-shocked003.gif Excellent work honey! That is a very rare "ultra thin" stone guitar pick.
signs021.gif




This pick isn't quite as thin but is still only about 1.4 mm and is a very nice thin range pick. Also green jade from Wyoming.



Check out the http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/minersmarket.html for the newest listed stone guitar picks in all the thickness ranges.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jan 22 2010, 06:40 AM

Thanks Dan. You make it possible with the nice thin slabing you do. happy088.gif
The Jade is fantastic stuff to work with, and I love the sound the picks make.

We make a fantastic team! happy.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 3 2010, 10:03 AM

Here was a little experiment I did with a thin piece of Colorado bytroidal Agate that had a bit of matrix with it.
Amazing how cool an agate can look with even the simplest of inclusions. This one measures about 2.9 mm.

Let me know what you think. I can always use the feedback.
smile.gif


Posted by: swizz Apr 3 2010, 10:12 AM

really nice
I especially like the translucent 'clouds/cottony/pillow' effect toward the bottom. If you could do a whole pic with that I might have to learn guitar.

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 3 2010, 12:23 PM

Thanks alot Chris. Funny you should say that, because Dan happens to be working on cutting more that will have that very thing. happy112.gif Better start guitar shopping now! biggrin.gif

I made one for myself on page 4 or 5 of this thread, that also looked like that due to the bytroidal. Very nice dark brown agate, with moving shadows in the bubbles when you turn it. jawdrop.gif Hard stuff to get pics of! wacko.gif

Speaking of such.......Dan picknapped my latest guitar pick for himself and is trying to get pics of it right now. Iris Agate that when sliced thin will display all the colors of the spectrum, and this one sure does.

Good luck CP, guess thats the price you have to pay for keeping that sweet pick! tongue.gif laugh.gif
Come on Dan poke.gif We all want to see pictures of those rainbows dont we?

biggrin.gif

Posted by: swizz Apr 3 2010, 02:23 PM

QUOTE (Mrs.CP @ Apr 3 2010, 01:23 PM) *
Better start guitar shopping now!
Dan picknapped my latest guitar pick.....


smiley-laughing021.gif "picknapped"!

I'm shopping for that guitar now. So far, I can only afford this fixer-upper:


Posted by: ColoradoProspector Apr 3 2010, 07:42 PM

QUOTE (Mrs.CP @ Apr 3 2010, 12:23 PM) *
Speaking of such.......Dan picknapped my latest guitar pick for himself and is trying to get pics of it right now. Iris Agate that when sliced thin will display all the colors of the spectrum, and this one sure does.

Good luck CP, guess thats the price you have to pay for keeping that sweet pick! tongue.gif laugh.gif
Come on Dan poke.gif We all want to see pictures of those rainbows dont we?

biggrin.gif


Picknapped is right, it's one sweet flasher!! happy088.gif
Ok, I tried and after many pictures taken, here are a couple that showed a few of the rainbow colors, but these pictures still don't catch the level or spread of color in hand. music037.gif
Dang, that woman is makin' me work on Saturday again. whip.gif happy.gif

These pictures are viewed best for color if you lean way down and put your chin on the space bar spock.gif I'm not kidding, just try it, lean down low and look upward at the screen......careful not to drool in the keyboard while you try this. drool.gif smiley-laughing021.gif It does work.



Another view just moved a little showing a whole different color scheme.



I'll be doing some more experiements with lighting to see if I can catch more of the color flash. Iris agate iridescence is really tough to catch in photos.....and I've added it to my list of pain in the neck to get pics of just below opals and fire agates. wacko.gif

Swizz, that guitar is a definate "fixer upper" kinda project. groucho.gif smile.gif

Posted by: jim Apr 3 2010, 08:13 PM

WOW!!! smiley-shocked003.gif That rainbow effect is killer. Great job on the pick too. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

Posted by: swizz Apr 3 2010, 08:18 PM

worthy.gif worthy.gif Great pick AND pic!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 4 2010, 06:36 AM

smiley-shocked003.gif Good job Dan! Those pictures turned out great. happy088.gif

Too funny Swizz! laugh.gif Depending on who smashed it, it might be worth leaving as is. music017.gif


Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 7 2010, 04:21 PM

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles cloud9.gif .........Love those bubbles.

You can see shadows in them when held up to the light and moved. Almost looks like water flowing around in the pick when held up and moved. These picks are some of my favorite, and comes from Colorado. happy088.gif I almost thought I wasnt going to get a pick from the small slab it was. It also had a spot where the bubbles met causing bubble clevage in the slice. smiley-shocked003.gif smiley-laughing021.gif Usually not a good thing when making a guitar pick, but I used my creativity to get it done. greensmilies-025.gif music037.gif I decided to make it my version of a heart stone guitar pick, with the natural bubble clevage (only on the one side) being placed just right to make the heart. I think it turned out pretty darn nice myself.thumbsupsmileyanim.gif If turned upside down, the cleavage looks like a whales tail underwater. Ok, somedays Im using my creativity way to much right? laugh.gif

Here are two pictures showing the heart shape and the bubbles inside. Pick is 1.5 mm.
In the upper left corner of the second picture, you can almost see how the bubbles were really tiny.




Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 24 2010, 05:58 AM

I finished another of the bubbly agate picks with shadows, but I havent took a picture of it yet. Here is a really nice Wyoming Jade (green) pick. It measures 1.4 mm. in thickness. happy088.gif






This is a really cool one. It seems to be a very hard piece of brownish orange Chalcedony. It measures 2.1 mm. in thickness.



Here is a picture of it held up to the sunlight.



Almost looks like a man passing a woman in a big dress some flowers. biggrin.gif



Posted by: swizz Apr 24 2010, 06:21 AM

QUOTE (Mrs.CP @ Apr 24 2010, 06:58 AM) *


Almost looks like a man passing a woman in a big dress some flowers. biggrin.gif

I see it.... also a ghostly image of Red Skelton hovering above the flowers between them. spock.gif

Excellent picks!! worthy.gif worthy.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 24 2010, 02:12 PM

Thanks Chris! I definately see the face.....hehe......Red Skelton. smiley-laughing021.gif One of the BEST comedians ever. happy.gif

Here is another shadow bubbly agate pick. I love the way the shadows in the bubbles dance around when you move the pick.




Almost looks like clouds contained in the pick because of the taper on the edges of it.
cloud9.gif




Get that guitar fixed yet Chris? biggrin.gif


Posted by: swizz Apr 24 2010, 07:09 PM

Ok, now THAT is the most beautiful pick I've ever seen. Incredible 3D effect!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Apr 25 2010, 09:52 AM

smile.gif Thanks Chris! Those are definately some of my favorite to make. If you like the way it looks all motionless for the picture, you would definately like the way the shadows in the bubbles dance in hand. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

Posted by: jim Apr 25 2010, 04:50 PM

Wow denise I must agree with Swiz. I't a beauty. Is it Colorado agate?

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Apr 26 2010, 01:38 PM

Yep Jim that is a piece of Colorado "thunderegg" agate.
Very clear agate and when cut the oppisite direction it has banding like this one does with some minor inclusions (dendritic) near the center vortex.
This pick was cut from the same piece of rock as the previous guitar pick was. happy088.gif Gotta' love mother nature's inner beauties.
biggrin.gif


Posted by: jim Apr 27 2010, 07:25 AM

I like it better the other way. music037.gif That boytroidal sends me. worthy.gif

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Apr 28 2010, 06:40 PM

Agreed, that cloud dancin' effect is just cool when moved in hand. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif
Here's another one cut for the bytroidal cloud dances and although not shown in the picture, you can also see banding at an angle in hand. Bubbles and bands and more bubbles. signs021.gif 1.6 mm thick



Another view just moved a little bit.



Haven't been able to catch any iris colors in this yet though.....more light tests needed but maybe these ones won't rainbow.
That's ok if it doesn't. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP May 2 2010, 06:23 AM

I love making stone guitar picks, and the more challenging the better. happy088.gif
Since I started making them in 06', I have always wanted to make an Opal one.......I know, it would be WAY too soft to play with but sure will make a beautiful pick I thought. Talk about a challenge when Im use to making them out of Agate. wacko.gif Keeping the propper shape and taper was the most challenging, but they turned out great! Lots of color flash in hand. I was able to make a Reuleaux triangle and a traditional shape. The Reuleaux triangle is 2 mm in thickness and weighs 4.2 grams. The traditional shaped one is also 2 mm thick and weighs 3.3 grams.

No fractures and the matrix is very strong and polished out great. happy.gif They are so thin that I have been scared to even pull them out into the sunlight to show all the different colors of flash for some pictures. blush.gif sadno.gif laugh.gif The side of the Reuleaux where the Opal is clear flashes pink and purple, with blue and green flashes through the veins in both of the picks. I love the way the matrix almost looks like its floating away in the Opal. wub.gif

Here are pictures of both sides of the picks.







I hope you like them, I sure do!
Thanks for looking. smile.gif

Posted by: jim May 2 2010, 02:24 PM

Dems some killers denise. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif Too bad the flash isnt showing up in the pics. mellow.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP May 3 2010, 06:04 AM

Thanks Jim. Taking pictures of Opal flash is difficult, but a bit of the blue and green flash did show in those pics. The images can be clicked for the larger photo in a new browser. The flash is different depending on what angle you hold them. I was more trying to just get clear pictures of the picks. smile.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP May 4 2010, 03:09 PM

I did however get a picture of how the Opal veins are transparent when held up to the light. music037.gif





Posted by: Mrs.CP May 23 2010, 09:04 AM

Check out the amazing wire wrap Dan did on this Iris agate pick! As all of Dans original guitar pick wraps, this pick can easily be removed from the wrap and placed back in when needed. cloud9.gif This is a different Iris agate guitar pick than pictured above, but also has that amazing rainbow of colors. I love the way he varies each of the wraps from his original design, making each one a one of a kind! signs021.gif

It turned out great Dan!
smile.gif





And we "Rock On!"
biggrin.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jun 10 2010, 01:03 PM

Here is a sweet traditional shaped dinosaur bone guitar pick measuring in at 2.3 mm thick.
Some musician is going to make sweet music with this one. music014.gif The lighter colored spots are translucent when held up to the light.



Posted by: Mrs.CP Jul 13 2010, 07:51 AM

Here is another sweet Iris agate pick. This is a picture more showing the shadow bands.......WOW! Those things sure can dance when the pick is moved!



Im still really enjoying those Australian Boulder Opal ones though! cloud9.gif

Posted by: swizz Jul 13 2010, 08:14 AM

That one looks really nice, has a kind of soft 'satin' look to it.

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Jul 13 2010, 01:30 PM

Yep Swizz, it does look kind of satin finished, too bad we can't show the "dancing bands" in one picture. Here is another shot of the same guitar pick with bright sunlight back lighting it.....only shows about 1/5 th of the actual color rainbows seen in hand. smiley-shocked003.gif



I obviously need to practice the photography some more. bash.gif smiley-laughing021.gif Grrr! Back to the photography frustration, er' I mean practice. char098.gif biggrin.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jul 24 2010, 01:39 PM

Here is a sweet one made from an amazing piece of moss agate Thunderegg from Mexico. (Slabs pictured on page 6 of this thread) It measures 2.3 mm thick.
Almost looks like a spider web in a tree.



Thanks for looking.
smile.gif

Posted by: GuitarC Jul 24 2010, 07:35 PM

Denise,

It does look like a spider web. I'm looking for the spider! smiley-shocked003.gif

This would be a great pick for a guitarist playing in a band with someone like Alice Cooper

The visual depth that is very often displayed in your picks is great!

Chris

Posted by: GuitarC Jul 25 2010, 06:57 AM

Do you ever tumble guitar picks instead of polishing them on the wheels? After drawing out the pick shape on an already thinly sliced slab, could you trim out the rough pick, shape it, bevel it and then polish it by using a tumbler?

The obvious is that working a pick by hand gives you complete control over shaping. What other negative things would/could happen that make it a disadvantage to use a tumbler in the pick making process?

Chris

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jul 25 2010, 07:21 AM

Thanks Chris. smile.gif The visual depth is also one of the things I like about making stone guitar picks. One would never know what is hidden within the stone till it is sliced thin. happy088.gif

I have tumbeled some picks before, but I wasnt happy with the polish in the end. Tumbeling can also undercut any inclusion the stone may have leaving the polish uneven in those spots. It is possible though. I strive for perfection, so I was forced to go back to the diamond wheels (starting on the second wheel) and re work the entire pick to get the results I wanted. Tumbeling also takes a week on each grit stage (4 weeks or more total). I prefer to crank up the music, turn the diamond wheels on and jam out a stone guitar pick in a few hours. happy112.gif

Posted by: GuitarC Jul 25 2010, 11:01 AM

Denise,

Your attention to detail does show! It is quite impressive! thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

At what point in the cubing, slabbing or slicing do you know you are going to make guitar picks out of a piece of stone?
I wondered how you decide whether a larger piece of stone would make a good pendant, cabochon, pair of earings, guitar pick or remain a specimen set. Obviously smaller and thinner pieces give you fewer choices of what you can choose make. When making a pick do you first make thin sliced slabs from a piece of stone until you get a slice you want to work with? Or do you make many thin slices and then just start working them?

Chris

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Jul 26 2010, 08:38 AM

QUOTE (GuitarC @ Jul 25 2010, 11:01 AM) *
At what point in the cubing, slabbing or slicing do you know you are going to make guitar picks out of a piece of stone?
I wondered how you decide whether a larger piece of stone would make a good pendant, cabochon, pair of earings, guitar pick or remain a specimen set. Obviously smaller and thinner pieces give you fewer choices of what you can choose make. When making a pick do you first make thin sliced slabs from a piece of stone until you get a slice you want to work with? Or do you make many thin slices and then just start working them?


Thought I'd answer this one since I do the cutting on the larger saw in our shop. chores017.gif
Each stone cut pretty much dictates not only how it's cut but what it's going to make or not make. Sometimes the stone is large enough to cut several varied slices that can do picks and cabochons both. Many times though the stone itself has fractures and or is difficult to get a grip on in a vise for cutting which will dictate how the cut starts. From there we may block cut it to rotate larger stones for different angles, or it may be say a broken thunderegg which we know will only have one half for a specimen at best....so then you take a few cuts off the broken half to see what you can use. Thickness depends on how the first cut looks.
First cut is always going to be for cabochons or tumbling material (especially if fractured) for any stones. Once youv'e cut the first slice off and the stone revealed appears solid enough, then the next cut will make a slice that should be consistent (that is if all goes well during the cut). Sometimes the stone gives out mid cut on a fracture line and allows the blade to "push" outside off the edge of the stone. This of course leaves an uneven cut and will not be able to finish the cut out properly if reset for the thinner slice. It must be reset for a fresh cut (normally a bit thicker) to even out the cutting again.....this leaves an uneven slice which can still be used for cabochons.

Thickness of slices is decided as cutting continues based on how solid the stone is and how well the cuts are doing. Second factor is if Denise is out there when a new slice comes off the saw......if she thinks it's sweet I'm usually required at that point to direct the thickness towards picks. soldier.gif biggrin.gif

Really though it just comes down to the stone and how well the cuts go.....many other factors will play into this as well. For instance, thundereggs that have voids or cavities in them obviously won't make good slices for working cabochons or guitar picks, but the cuts are still sweet suprises inside that no one has ever seen before.
If the rough is bigger and several slices can be taken like with jades then we can cut several slices at varied thickness for both cabs and picks. After slabs or cut then there is still a chance that a guitar pick slice could still be used for cabochons or inlays as well as vice versa where cabochon thickness slices are used for some of the thicker giutar picks. You just have to work around the fractures in each slice.
We try to waste very little of any stone so most all of each slice is used eventually even if fractured but the thinner cuts are intended for guitar picks just based on how the days cuts are progressing.
If you have a stone that just won't stay in the groove so to speak while cutting, then it's probably got too many fractures in it. You can try rotating for a new cut direction to take advantage of the fractures with cutting and sometimes that will do the trick. But if not then that stone just gets set aside as a nice lookin' yard rock, no point in arguing with it in the saw, that will drive ya' nuts. greensmilies-025.gif smiley-laughing021.gif

Hope that explains it a little bit.

Here's an example of one that is pictured in this thread as a slice and even though it originally was suppose to be a classic size guitar pick, after slicing and beging to work it through the stages, more fractures were found so it's now going to be resized into a small stubby style which will eliminate the fractured part near the top. Sometimes ya' just have to change midstream with a piece.

CP




Posted by: GuitarC Jul 26 2010, 09:39 AM

Dan,

Thanks! Your reply could be part of a "Stone Cutting 101" course! Awesome explanation and even though this is all new to me I easily followed you. It sounds like your expertise and creativity guide you throughout the cutting process and allow you to make decisions about what you want the stone to become and look like.

P.S. I recognize that stubby shape!

Chris

Posted by: fourcornersrocks Aug 1 2010, 08:58 PM

Here's my first one!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Aug 1 2010, 09:14 PM

Good job! Love the black Jade. happy088.gif

Posted by: fourcornersrocks Aug 2 2010, 08:51 PM

Thanks! Nice job spotting the Australian black jade!

Jim here on CP cut the slab so I knew it had pick potential, lol!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 5 2010, 11:21 AM

Jade makes really nice picks and giving them a great sound also. Keep up the good work!

Here is a Brazilian agate (not dyed) one I recently did. This one will probably become a future prize giveaway. It sure has some fantastic patterns. Even has a blood red playing tip. happy088.gif






Thanks for looking, and I would love to hear your feedback. happy088.gif

Posted by: GuitarC Sep 24 2010, 07:24 PM

Denise that is very cool looking. happy088.gif

I like the red just at the tip and the different patterns converging. Great eye for catching everything in your pick layout!


Posted by: ColoradoProspector Sep 27 2010, 12:00 PM

Thanks GuitarC for the kind compliments. We do try very hard on placement of the stones to be cut and many times we'll move a marked piece several times before we find the placement that works best for the fractures involved as well as the stones patterns overall.
Good thing we mark with pencil because getting off an aluminum scribe mark doesn't work with a pencil eraser. tongue.gif

CP

Posted by: Mrs.CP Feb 15 2011, 09:34 AM

Thanks GuitarC, it helps to love what your doing.
Here is a really nice one with a natural druzy grip that I havent posted yet. It just sold in the Miners Market with a silver slip wrap added.
Its a fantastic Arizona Agate pick, and looks amazing in hand and held up to the light! thumbsupsmileyanim.gif
The second picture is of the reverse side of how I had it listed in the Market. Almost looks like an alien to the left of the druzy pocket I think.






Posted by: Mrs.CP Mar 29 2011, 09:16 AM

Decisions decisions.......... chin.gif Dan showed me this end cut piece to the Mexico thunderegg which I made this guitar pick (thin) from. As you can see, the pick was made from the kissing slab that was next to the end cut. He thinks it would make a great matching heart, so I layed out the pattern. I was going to try to get a little heart from the corner, but as you can see there is a small fracture. sad.gif



I was kind of hoping that I could just sculpt this end cut into something, but sadly there is a fracture in it coming off the druzy. As you can see from this picture, the moss looks pretty cool lit with the druzy pocket. happy112.gif




Either way, this will make one sweet set dont you think?



Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 21 2012, 07:06 AM

Here are a couple of dinosaur bone guitar picks I did recently. They turned out great I think! thumbsupsmileyanim.gif


Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 21 2012, 07:53 PM

Here is a beautiful thick teardrop shaped pick from an Oregon thunderegg. When working this one, a small play of color appeared in the side of the tip, almost like Iris agate. It just appears light blue in this picture though. Very hard to photograph but a sweet little surprise. happy088.gif


Posted by: russau Oct 22 2012, 04:58 AM

these are some very special pics for sure!very neat item!! i wish i played it!

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Oct 23 2012, 10:04 AM

Thank you for the feedback Russ, maybe someday you will play the guitar.

Both Dino bone and the T-egg tear drop pick are going to the same person with one of our original silver slip wraps custom made to the pick.

This slip wrap has a very nice tight fit, lays right nicely on both sides of the stone. It actually holds onto both dino bone picks but since it was designed/made around the thicker one, the medium is a bit loose but still holds in it. I thought this one turned out nicely with it's own uniqueness.
Hopefully the owner likes them upon arrival too.


Posted by: Mrs.CP Nov 1 2012, 05:51 AM

Thanks Russ! I love makin them! happy.gif Here is a thin I made from Arizona plume agate. It has tiny little druzy pockets for grip, but the playing tip is clean.


Posted by: ColoradoProspector Nov 16 2012, 09:10 AM

Nice work Denise, I really like that Az. agate, sometimes we can catch a speck of gold on some cuts.

Here's a pic showing the profile view of another thin cut from Wyoming green jade. Thin's we cut range from 1.3 - 2.0 mm. and as you can see are consistent thickness through the center of the stone, this jade pick is a beauty at 1.5 mm. Denise just finished this one the other day so we'll have to add an update pic showing the stone/pick itself when we get one.
The Wyoming jade takes a sweet polish, and cut this thin shows a nice translucence too when backlit.


Posted by: Mrs.CP Dec 8 2012, 08:26 AM

Here is a picture of the green Jade pick. It was a challenge to keep the lint particles off of it for the picture. wacko.gif




Here is a really cool Oregon moss Agate Pick made from a Thunderegg. Sure has some really cool patterns. This one measures 1.6 mm. happy.gif





I will be adding these to the http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/minersmarket.html soon.


Posted by: Mrs.CP Dec 26 2012, 07:02 AM

A couple of the teenage boys (good friends sons) in our neighborhood received stone guitar picks for Christmas to go with their new guitars....They loved them! happy.gif

It was fantastic to see their faces light up when they saw them. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Dec 27 2012, 09:16 AM

Here is a cool thin one I made from Del Norte Colorado agate. The bubbles in this piece are big and almost making a picket fence pattern.
I will be adding this one to the http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/FolkArt/StoneGuitarPicks.html soon.




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