black alabaster

[r putnam <rputnam@zzzzzzz>]

Hi folks,

Well.....the search for black alabaster covered hundreds of miles with
disappointing results.  Seems where the New Mexico Alabaster quarry is there
is no cell phone coverage, they owners do not have a land line nor access to
a computer.  The web site gives numbers and an email address but, alas,
Marvin and April ( owners) do not respond to any of them.  I called and
emailed them for weeks prior to the trip out.

Once we arrived in Mountainair, New Mexico....approx. 1100 miles from where
I live......we found the quarry but no people were to be found.  We returned
to the town and spent an hour or 2 in the Redbud Saloon  (!) where everyone
knew Marvin.  The barkeep spent some time trying to reach Marvin on the
phone and finally  did. ( Marvin's cell works in Albuquerque where he was
running an errand)  It was arranged for us to meet April at the local pump n
save and she took us to the 'ebony pit'.  SO ....we do know that there is
black alabaster, I've seen it, climbed on it !!  However, the vein is so
large and in one piece, Marvin's bulldozer and backhoe can not budge it nor
can they figure out a way to cut or break it into moveable pieces.  We
arrived in town around 1 and Marvin finally showed up around 5.  He promised
to cut me a few 250 lb pieces and would meet me in Albquerque the next
day........we left 3 days later with no word from Marvin.

Marvin and April seemed like very nice people and were eager to please
but........we found out they are big volunteers at church, volunteer EMTs,
volunteer fire fighters, volunteers for hospice and respite services for
their little community and have 4 kids........honestly......I don't think
they have the time or tools it takes to bring this stone to the buying
public.  Twice a year they cut and haul stone to 2 symposiums/shows.  One in
Jemez Springs, NM and the big art show in Loveland, CO. Locals say Marvin
doesn't have the tools necessary to get this stone out of the ground on a
regualr basis. Their tools consisted of backhoe, bulldozer, wedges, sledge
hammer and a 16", gas powered, diamond bladed saw.  April dug out a 500 lb
chunk of gray with a claw hammer........

They actually have 6 different colors of stone and the veins are so close to
the surface we were parked on top of the black......SO SAD.....to see it,
feel it, PARK ON TOP OF IT and not get any of it !!!

........ in regards to what to put on stone to bring out it's best colors
and also to seal it.....I have used Tung oil in the past and really like the
end results.  Makes the alabaster colors really pop.......gives the stone
that wet look......and seals it.  We have tried oils such as mentioned on
this list and have found them to be tedious with iffy results, at least on
alabaster.  The first coat of oil looks great but within hours the colors
have all faded back to dull......but Tung oil  ...... does not need repeated
applications ( you can if you want to tho) , does not get gummy and can have
waxes put on over it if you want more luster.  Just a novices
opinion...........

  Robin
~No Stone Unturned