A new BLUE stone - Sodalite from Namibia

[Redrummd]

I have found a new source for Sodalite that looks to be acceptable for use as knife scales. This Sodalight from Namibia is much finer grained than the Brazilian stone and the colors are patterned much nicer than the Brazilian Sodalite.

I did a test polish on a small piece and it took a polish as good as Dumortierite but with a lot less texture to the stone so it is very promising as a new addition to my inventory. I bought a very large piece that weighed 34 pounds and it has absolutely no fractures! Almost all stone has fractures so to get a piece this big that has not a single fracture is just awesome from my perspective. It makes the layout so much more fun as I just get to look for patterns that catch my eye and I don't have to compromise for faults in the stone. All 17 sets of preforms were cut from these four slabs!

So, if all goes well I will get a couple of test knives done in my next group that I hope to start before gong to the Madras show on June 26 - 27.

Let me know what you think - This big piece has some really colorful peach colored sections caused by a mix of pink Analcime and yellow Cancrinite running through it. The white is Ankerrite.

[Southerly]

Beautiful looking sodalite Michael, you have a knack for finding the best materials. With your amazing craftsmanship I am sure they will make spectacular scales. Love your knives.

I have a few small slabs of a dark blue sodalite material with black metallic inclusions in it, it is sold and fine grained but much more subtle in tone than this stuff and not big enough for scales. I also have a kilo chunk bright blue coarsely crystalline sodalite, fabulous colour but too many cleavage planes for scales or even cabs.

Regards,
David

[testdw]

Mike,

I'm impressed with this new Namibia Sodalite find. Very attractive stone with some nice variations. I will certainly be an interested buyer of this stone. You have a great talent to continually find new and rare stones. This Sodalite will greatly complement all your other artwork.

Dennis

[mqqn]

Hi Michael -

I like it - I especially like the pieces with the peach color - my favorite are the pair in the middle row, fourth from the left.

Beautiful stuff - are those for 110s?

best

mqqn

[Redrummd]

mqqn - The preforms are for Buck 110's and 501's.

In hand there is great depth to the colors in the stone so these photos do not come close to showing how beautiful the stone is. I think the fact this stone does not photograph as well as it really looks may be a bit of a downside to it.

I will know a lot more once I get a knife finished and see how it looks in photos once it is polished.

[Redrummd]

Well I did a test polish and this Sodalite takes a great polish. The bad news is the photos of the polished stone again do not come even close to showing the beauty. So, if you think this stone looks good in photos you will be REALLY pleased when you see it in hand!

[testdw]

Mike,

The polish looks great in these photos, in fact it looks like it could be considered a Mirror Polish? This Namibia Sodalite stone really is a premium beauty.

Dennis

[hohenstreetroa]

Michael Hoover / Redrummd / Art in Stone fans,
I was blessed to have the opportunity to visit Mike this past Thursday (6/14). The Namibia Sodalite is so much more beautiful when viewed in person! The polished stone samples Mike showed me were polished as smooth as glass and the color had so much more depth than pictures can capture. Thanks for the visit, Michael! I feel so privileged every time I visit...

[Redrummd]

Lance,

Wow! Your phone camera got the color right. I may need to use one of your photos when I finish the knives to show what the real color is. The "depth" of the color will probably never show in photos though.

Thanks a bunch for posting the photos and I am glad the front of the shop wasn't too messy too.

[dgedra]

Michael,
Congratulations on acquiring yet another very beautiful stone from a color, pattern, polish and depth perspective. This is another winner !!

Lance,
Thank you for taking and sharing the photos !!

Dave G.

[Redrummd]

I am so excited tonight I can hardly stand it. I feel like I did as a child on Christmas Eve....

I just finished the test polish on three knives and I am very happy to share the results and I think I have found a way to get the colors right on the Sodalite by taking the photos flat against a piece of the plume agate I use in my usual shots for the white balance.

So, basically the Sodalite takes a very good polish, not a mirror finish, but high gloss and there is very little texture to the stone. In all my years of working with and buying stone I have NEVER before seen Sodalight this bright and taking this good a polish.

So, let me know what you think about these test polish knives. I am thinking I will put them up on Ebay to see what the price rage should be based on bidding and number of people watching the auctions. I won't have the group done until next week but here are the knives as polished.

[hohenstreetroa]

These knives are really amazing! I will certainly be watching for them!

[Redrummd]

All, well I sure hope this stone turns out to be well received. I just got hold of the importer and he only has two pieces left and one of those is on Ebay now and the other is a 24 pounder. So, I just committed to buying the 24 pounder to add to my long term inventory. Sodalite, even from Namibia, is not usually so nicely mixed in its colors and patterns. It usually has big blue blocks that fracture and pit and large veins of white that is softer and undercuts. So, the pieces I have now, and will soon have, are truly exceptional.......

[odd]

beautiful....reminds me of those sat photos of earths from space. blues and whites with some "land specs" in there as well.

[Redrummd]

I decided to list the first two of these Sodalight Buck 110's on Ebay so they are listed now. I want to see what the interest is in this stone as it is so rare to have found it in this color mix and quality.

[Southerly]

They look fantastic Michael, your superb craftsmanship makes them really glow. That is spectacular stone you have sourced once again. I was looking as some very expensive sodalite rough at a show over the weekend and it wasn't a patch on your material, so consequently I did not buy.
I am sure these two to knives will go to good homes.

David

[testdw]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I was fortunate enough to purchase these 2 Sodalites on Ebay. Received them today and thought I should report my findings. The Namibia Sodalites are truely exceptional. The photo's do not show the real beauty and depth that you see in hand. They are absolutely premium scales. I think the Blue could actually be considered a deep purple. The color seems to vary depending on the lighting. I highly recommend this stone for all you Redrummd fans. The two guys that I showed them to today were amazed by the beauty and of course the perfect fit and exceptional polish. Hope you all get a chance to own one.

Dennis

[hohenstreetroa]

Thanks for the post & input, Dennis! They are indeed gorgeous, and I am glad you got them! We'll talk soon...
-Lance