Fischer Stone...

[Alvin]

very nice cab. wow 600+ books. sounds like I have a lot missing in my small collection. good information guys. thanks

[gregorgr8]

this seems like a fairly full reference:

http://www.rarerocksandgems.com/articles/masters/rediscovering_fischer_stone.htm

[Taogem]

I am really surprised !

This is really interesting..

When Dave first suggested it was man made I was very sceptical.. Now I am really surprised !

[woodyrock]

Dr. Fischer lived only a few miles from where I live. Rumour has it his widow dumped a ton of his stone in the backyard. Now that would be a real treasure to find.

His book is online now, I think you can find it on Ganoskin.   A hard copy is, or was running about $60.00.

A number of us have played with his process, and the only material that we have success with has been Snakeskin agate............none as nice as he did though.
Woody

[hulagrub]

George sometimes things just pop out of my brain, that I should not even be remembering. Now try and remember, what I went to Walmart for hmmmm?

[ScarlettoSara]

LOLOl Dave.
It pops out but sometimes it pops back in:)

[Taogem]

There sure is a big difference in the coloring between the one shown on Philips (Rare Rocks and Gems) article and the one I shared.

I think it is safe to say that mine was not infused with copper as the coloring is just not there ..  Must be Tin.

[hulagrub]

Wow, that one Phillip shows is awesome. We sometimes look down on manmade items, but truly, when we cab a stone, is that not then manmade? What about Fordite at $10 a gram, and you can't hardly even get a piece of it (or at least not pay that much for reclaimed paint)!

[Haderly]

Does anyone know where I can get some Snake Skin Agate? I am going to give it a try and see what I can come up with. Based on the price of the chemicals it is probably not cost effective to do but sure would be fun if the results were even close to what Fischer was able to do.

[mirkaba]

I think Tony at   http://www.idahorockshop.com/     might still have some. He sent me some a while back.........Bob

[Taogem]

I am thinking the same thing Casey..

Especially after reading how the chemicals and mixtures can be reused. It is a lengthy process, but sure would be worth it !

Dave.. I think that since the actual stone is an agate, then it is a natural rock. Even though it has gone through this infussion process. Just my two cents..

Bob.. Tony does have some, but I think it is important to find the clearer material. I looked around on Ebay, but no Snakeskin.

Seems like if this was as easy as the instructions make it seem that more people would be doing it. I would like to give it a whirl though !

[gregorgr8]

looks like orchid  (ganoksin.com) has  his complete book in their archives.

http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/index-gemstone-dyeing

[donsstoneimages]

I have been looking into making fisher stones for a while.  The only thing that has been holding me back is that the copper chloride was 50$ a lb last I checked.  I have seen one company in Tuscon that uses fisher's process to grow alphabet shaped dendrites in stones or even names.

[mirkaba]

I am no chemist but just wondering what you get if you throw a chunk of copper into muriatic acid?  Bob

[hulagrub]

After reading the book on Ganoskin, he was using water soluble chemicals, but I have no idea where to get any. I have some chalcanthite (a copper mineral, root kill) that I got from Lowes, hmmmmmmm?