Finished version of Fancy Brilliant Emerald Cut Sunstone

Out Back Mining Company

Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics on Just Ask Jeff. See what he has to share about Oregon Sunstone Mining - Out Back Mining Company.

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By Jeff R. Graham

Oregon Sunstone Mining: Out Back Mining Company

Note: These pictures are compliments of Derek at Out Back Mining and Faceters.com.

Above: Stormy weather in the high Oregon desert.

Above: Digging in the pit.

Above: The pit (Derek).

Above: Processing equipment.

Above:Processing and screening the Sunstone.

Above: Sorting Sunstone.

Above: The desert rats (miners).

Above:186 carat red Sunstone.

Above: Watermelon Sunstone.

Above: Red Sunstone.

Above:Watermelon Sunstone.

Above: Schiller Watermelon Sunstone.

Above: Top schiller watermelon Sunstone.

Jeff R. Graham

The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.

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hardness of 2.5, perfect <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/back-mining-company/"https://www.gemsociety.org/article/cleavage-gemology/">cleavage, brittle tenacity, and extreme solubility in water, halites are exceedingly difficult to cut and near impossible to wear. However, they can occur in spectacular colors, like the deep blue this rare faceted specimen shows. 3.80 cts, 10 x 8 x 4 mm, Africa. <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/back-mining-company/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/97187865_380-carat-gorgeous-ntaural-deep-blue-halite-gemstone">Photo courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/back-mining-company/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/back-mining-company/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/5584/jasper52/">Jasper52." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

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Pastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/back-mining-company/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

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Joel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

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Photo courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/back-mining-company/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/back-mining-company/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

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