chlorite

["Stacy Shure" <shurefamily@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Hi Gary,

Yes chlorite is a dream to carve.  Just get lost in the stone and it's rich
darkness.  It takes a very high polish and also is wonderful for many
textured finishes.  You can accomplish great contrast in the finish.  Randy
is my supplier for this stone as well.  I use the linseed/turpentine mix to
seal the stone.  Same as what I use on dark soapstone or serpentine.  You
just must be very careful in the application and not apply to much and then
wait for it to dry thoroughly before buffing or it will congeal on the
surface and it's a mess.

As far as I know there are no limitations on where chlorite may be located.
I know of sculptures that are outdoors and weather beautifully.  However if
your area suffers from extremes in temperature it's best to ask Randy about
it.  He knows his stones and their limitations.

Nice pieces, Gary.  Congrats!  Just curious, but where did you get the blue
alabaster?  I've carved a humpback whale out of stone we called "Paco
Alabaster" which Paul of Art City brought back from Mexico.  It is rather
bluish with darker inclusions and veins.  Very "marine" tones to my eye,
running laterally through the stone.  I've also seen a very deep blue
albaster out of Utah, although its availability is nil.  Paul has a piece or
two he was going to carve.  

BTW, if anyone is interested - Randy has some fabulous blue marble that I've
carved.  I've got three more pieces of robin egg blue marble calling my name
right now ...

Stacy

  IIRC 
both Stacy Shure and Tracy Powell, who are members of this list, are far 
more experienced with chlorite than I am -- are you guys out there???? I 
think that it's for indoor sculpture only, but I'm not sure.