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The ability to create beauty where none is evident is a driving force
that has led many of us into the realm of lapidary. It was this desire
that propelled Paul Rabbitt and me into the world of Fischerstone. The
Fischerstone family of cabochon rough is more than a gem material, to us
it also represents the quest for knowledge. It is our attempt to
understand some of the "why's" that are present in our world.
To perceive what this material is all about, we must first step into the
past to meet the originator and developer: Dr. George W. Fischer, Dean
of the College of Agriculture at the State College of Washington, author
in his chosen field of plant pathology and his long time hobby of
lapidary. One such publication is his dissertation "Gemstones &
Chemicals --How to Create Color and Inclusions." This book represents a
culmination of 25 years in cutting gemstones, and his method for
colorizing gem materials through the use of inorganic salts.
Many of the great discoveries that are a part of our history are the
astonishing results of error. So it came to pass for Fischerstone. In
the mid 1960's, Dr. Fischer was in the process of designing a
bracelet for his wife, using his newly enhanced material. To allow for
better adhesion, the setting was abraded exposing the base metal. As the
evening grew late, he left the gem unsecured in the bezel, deciding to
complete his work the following day when he was rested. Upon returning
to his efforts, he was surprised to find small, dendritic growths in the
underside of the stone. Unmistakable, highlighted by the aqua gem, these
inclusions had grown into the matrix overnight.
Referring to another of his interests, chemistry, Dr. Fischer was
soon onto the trail of displacement, giving rise to what he referred to
as "Copper in Agate" and "Tin in Agate."
In the 1980's, Paul happened on a lady at the Rockazona gem and mineral
exhibition who was displaying beautiful aqua agate, with pink to brown
inclusions. During his conversation with this vendor, he learned that
this material was "mined" out of Washington State, and was known as
"Copper in Agate" and that there was only one known source to date.
Assured that this was a naturally occurring gem stone, Paul settled on a
remarkable pear-shaped stone that sported a quarter-sized inclusion. It
would be some time till he learned all the facts concerning his new gem.
Even the truth of its origin didn't lessen his appreciation, if anything
it magnified it. It would be several years later, that total
understanding would be had when Dr. Fischer's book was given to him as a
birthday present by his mother. The adage "Mother know best" bears
fruit again!
In 1991, Paul Rabbitt and I began to work together. It didn't take long
for two Rock-a-holics to become acquainted. Our enjoyment of nature's
gifts, and common beliefs kindled a respect and friendship that would
lead to our collective pursuit in returning "Copper in Agate" to the
world of lapidary. Reading through Dr. Fischer's process, we began to
collect the necessary raw materials, and start our own adventure into
the world of Fischerstone. For the next year, we would experiment,
attempting to duplicate the results with limited rewards, none of which
could compare to the original. We even went so far as to track down Dr.
Fischer, and ask his advice. Always the teacher, he would only
encourage us to continue our efforts. With time, we finally attained
the results we were seeking, more by accident than by design. That first
test lot in which we achieved sizable inclusions within the blue to
green slabs were so large, they were basically unusable.
Excitedly, we pressed on, having finally mastered the process. Due to the
difficulty experienced in locating the base material used, production of
Fischerstone could never be described as being heavy. Literally dozens
of different types of agates had been experimented with to determine
acceptability. A few had been shown to absorb color, with only Snake
Skin agate from Dog Mountain in Oregon providing outstanding color and
inclusions.
The creating of Fischerstone is relatively simple. We soak slabs of
agate in a copper salt solution for several weeks. Once we are satisfied
with the ionic absorption, we cause the copper ions to settle out into
their elemental form, giving us the myriad of wonderful inclusions that
can be found. Several more steps are taken to neutralize the acidic
properties of the process, making them safe to work with. As one
wouldn't place malachite, azurite, or even turquoise on one's tongue,
please don't lick Fischerstone either, for the obvious reasons associated with
copper minerals. We are obligated to warn that performing this process
can be dangerous. Treat it with the respect it warrants, and one can
create a thing of beauty.
Having assembled a sizable quantity of prepared slabs, Paul and I were
off to Rockazona, held each January, near Goodyear, Arizona. Being our
first attempt at this type of gathering as dealers, it stood to reason
that we should begin in the place where knowledge of this material was
first gained. We used this event to re-introduce "Copper in Agate" as
Fischerstone, and educate those who were interested in the basic
principles of the process. It was also at this show that we would meet
Max A. Hatch, who would feature our material in the September 1995 issue
of Rock and Gem.
In March of 1995, we would be represented at the Maricopa Lapidary
Society's annual function with an exhibition of Fischerstone. Fortune
would be smiling upon us again, as it was here that we were given our
next endeavor in the Fischerstone family. Throughout our efforts, this
material's acceptance has been good, and we've been enthusiastically
encouraged to continue by both the hobbyist, and other vendors. It was
at this gathering that we would be directed to a variation of
Fischerstone, copper in agate, that is most exciting. While perusing
some of our stones, a vendor off-handedly commented, "It's a shame you
can't control the shapes of these inclusions." This would be the spark
that lit the "Designer Inclusion" genre of Fischerstone. We would spend
the next year developing the process that would allow us to grow simple
pictures into these agate slabs.
Next Month:
Designing Inclusions
A chance remark leads to a new enhancement in Fischerstone!
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Copyright, 1996 by Vince King
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Vincent T. King was born July 15, 1962 at the now closed Williams Air
Force Base in Arizona. He is the father of three girls, (Brittney,
Trinity, and Lillian), and husband to Yvonne, all of whom he describes as
"God's gifts to my life." Currently living in Phoenix, Arizona, Vince
King is employed as a Driller/Router Technician in the rigid/flex
circuit board industry, by Dyanco, a division of Palomar Medical
Technologies.
Primarily a faceter, Vince King also enjoys gems and minerals of all
types. With his partner Paul Rabbitt, he continues to work on producing
Fischerstone, and developing even more types of designer inclusions.
You can reach Vince King through email at VYBTL@aol.com
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