sophisticated science

Petrified Wood

2012-01-19T22:03:00.000-06:00

The PETRIFIED WOOD is from Southwestern Montana. It was a living tree some 40 to 60 million years ago, frozen in time when the Yellowstone super volcano buried it alive. The cellular structure of the wood has been converted to quartz over the years by the silica rich waters seeping in and out. The source of the silica is the ash from the volcano.

Obsidian, Glass Butte

2012-01-17T22:04:00.007-06:00

The OBSIDIAN is from Glass Butte, Eastern Oregon. It is produced when silica rich
lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with very little crystal growth. Obsidian
is mineral-like, but not a true mineral because as a glass it is not crystalline and its composition is too complex to comprise a single mineral. It is sometimes classified as a mineraloid, that is an amorphous substance lacking a systemic internal arrangement of atoms. This explains the wild variations in color seen in the slices above in addition to the fact that long ago this was a flowing liquid! Do you see an owl or a gremlin?

Porcelainite, Powder River County Montana

2012-01-17T21:57:00.004-06:00

The spot

The PORCELAINITE is from Powder River County, Southeastern Montana along the side of US
highway 212 in the road cut. It was formed when the coal seam lit on fire sometime in the last few million years and fired the clay layers above it therby creating a ceramic material via geosynthesis. At any given time there are many coal fires burning underground all over the planet. These pieces are all mounted on hickory.

Lapis, Green Quartzite and Rhyolite

2012-01-17T21:46:00.005-06:00

The LAPIS is from Northeastern Afghanistan, Badakhshan
Province, Hindu Kush Region. The main component of lapis lazuli is lazurite, a feldspathoid silicate
mineral with the formula (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,SO4,Cl). Most lapis lazuli also contains calcite
(white), sodalite (blue), and pyrite (metallic yellow). It is one of the oldest mined stones on the earth, having been mined as far back as 5000 years ago.

The GREEN QUARTZITE is from South Africa.
It is is a hard metamorphic rock which was originally sandstone.
Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure
most often related to crushing by tectonic plates.

The RHYOLITE is from the Sweetwater Road Rhyolite
intrusion near Dillon, Montana. It is an igneous, volcanic rock of silica-rich composition.

The view at The Sweetwater Road Rhyolite spot.

Mexican Crazy Lace Agate

2012-01-17T21:29:00.005-06:00

The MEXICAN CRAZY LACE AGATE is from the Crazy Lace Mine, Chihuahua Mexico.
It Is formed when cavities in Cretaceous age limestone (90 to 65 million years old) filled in with waters
containing silica and other minerals which are deposited over long periods of time. Variations in the
character of the solution or in the conditions of deposition may cause a corresponding variation in the
successive layers, so that bands of chalcedony often alternate with layers of crystalline quartz.

Reflections of You

2011-12-27T21:44:00.003-06:00

At Robin Richman January 15, 2012 it's “Reflections of You,” a new collection consisting of book matched stone slices made into neck pieces, earrings and rings. The pieces allude to the Rorschach Tradition, started in 1921, in which Hermann Rorschach began using symmetrical ink blots for psychometric analysis. This became known as the Rorschach Inkblot Method. A psychologist can speculate on one's personality characteristics and emotional function according to what they see in the inkblots.

Fantastic faces, places and scenes are reflected in the shapes and internal structures of the stones from this collection.

Featured stones include Mexican Lace Agate, Eastern Montana Porcelainite, Oregon Obsidian and select cuts of 50 million year old petrified wood. The stone slabs are mounted on carved wooden substrates, and strung with silver chains, each being as unique as the person wearing it.

Old Friends, New Light

2011-11-13T23:59:00.001-06:00

Beaver!

Dance Party for Rocks

2011-09-27T23:46:00.003-05:00

Round and Round...

Coming Soon: Reflections of You...

Tight Spines, Lucky Sevens

The Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp...

Its Osage Orange season again..

Old Breaks, New Cuts

More Extreme Weather

2011-07-13T18:18:00.000-05:00

7/12/11 7:22 AM CDT East 50th Street in Chicago's Kenwood Neighborhood. The result of another extreme but quick storm (microburst?) the prior morning.

Today at Robin Richman

2011-07-07T11:16:00.021-05:00

Humboldt Park Chicago June 30, 2011

2011-07-06T23:49:00.006-05:00

The sky is falling. Massive damage to plants and vehicles. Golf ball size hailstones.

7/1/11 12:03 PM CDT Damen / Armitage

Selections from the Cosmological Circle

2011-06-26T22:29:00.002-05:00

July 7th at Robin Richman 12-7

This collection consists of shapes which overlay the ancient geometric diagram known as the Cosmological Circle. Drawn with a compass and straightedge, the Cosmological Circle embodies the numbers one to twelve, the universal numerical harmony of nature in two dimensions. The diameter of the earth, the Earth's moon, and the relationship between the Earth the Sun and Moon are also represented in this map of structural unity. The squared circle at its center depicts the layout of Stonehenge, Plato's Idealized city "Magnesia", and the Rose Window of the Chartres Cathedral in Paris.
Materials include Amazonite, Brazilian Mica, Copper, Glass, Obsidian, Stainless Steel and Silver.

May 2, 2011

2011-05-30T23:30:00.004-05:00

Fires Lit, Torches Lit

2011-02-20T11:49:00.005-06:00

Tucson AZ 2/1/11

Rocks Cut...

Mexican Crazy Lace Agate with Madagascarian Demantoid Garnet

Rings

2010-11-21T15:59:00.010-06:00

1 Cast Silver Gemstone Ring, Marquis Split Shank

2 Four Segment Face Silver Ring

3 Eight Sided Silver Ring, Split Ground

4 Stepped Silver Ring

5 Triple Face Silver Ring

6 Silver Ring, Three Grooves

7 Silver Ring, Hexagonal End

8 Eight Sided Osage Orange Ring

9 Silver and Heel Cut Obsidian Ring

10 Stepped Silver Earstuds

11 Eight Sided Silver Ring, Rounded

12 Cast Silver Gemstone Ring, Blackstone

13 Amorphous Walnut Ring

14 Double Silver Knuckles

15 Obsidian Earstuds

More Microcrystaline Quartz

2010-11-21T13:43:00.003-06:00

Quartz Pendant with Silver Hanger. Sunrise, Eastern Oregon courtesy of my brother Mike

Sunlight Creek Chalcedony, Eastern Montana gray Porcelainite, Obsidian on a Silver Chain

Obsidian: The Original Volcanic Glass

2010-11-21T00:18:00.007-06:00

Four Triangles with Silver Tips, Chain

Faceted Double with Double Silver Chain

Obsidian as found on the high plains of Eastern Oregon near Seneca by my brother Mike.

Sequential Triple Slices with Natural Edge, Silver Chain

Asymmetrical Pendant with Faceted Face, Silver Chain

Quill Stitching

2010-11-20T23:52:00.004-06:00

Porcupine Quill stitching over Obsidian and Eastern Montana gray Porcelainite. Discs are 2.5" in diameter.

Hinged Cuffs

2010-11-20T23:47:00.002-06:00

Left: Osage Orange Hinged Cuff with Bird Motif. Right: Myrtlewood Hinged Cuff with Banded Pattern.

Rhyolitic Magma: Further Proof Matter is Feminine

2010-11-20T23:40:00.011-06:00

The Sweetwater Road Rhyolite Intrusion from above

The Cut

Ancient Tool for Cutting or Skinning

Deconstructed sections of Magma from the Sweetwater Road Rhyolite Intrusion, Ruby River, Montana. Its thick viscosity when erupting causes it to exhibit banded flow lines. Also known as Montana Wonderstone.

Bear Claws and Zebra Balls

2010-11-20T22:25:00.003-06:00

Carved Birch Bearclaw Necklace with Obsidian Beads, Deerskin, Silk

Zebra Balls of European Pine with Silver Chain

New Work At Robin Richman

2010-11-20T13:36:00.000-06:00

Seattle to Phoenix

2010-10-24T23:57:00.004-05:00

Mt. St Helens, 96 miles South of Seattle. Erupted May 18, 1980 making it the deadliest volcano in US history. October 18, 2010.

West End Grand Canyon from 37,000 feet. 230 miles North of Phoenix. October 18, 2010.

Forecast Stony

2010-10-03T22:23:00.001-05:00

Sunshine Creek Chalcedony, Raw Form 2010

Wood Chunks

2010-09-19T23:14:00.000-05:00

Wood Chunks in Raw Juniper

Wood Chunks in Blackened White Oak

Copper Age 2

2010-09-19T23:07:00.000-05:00

A Blackned Walnut and Copper Chain

Structurals

2010-05-06T00:00:00.002-05:00

Top: Hanging Structure, Black Onyx and Walnut
Bottom: Hanging Shovels 1 and 2, Gold, Silver and Walnut

Two New Chains and the Beginning of The Copper Age

2010-05-04T00:13:00.005-05:00

Top: Burned Walnut Chunks on a Solid Copper Rope Chain
Bottom: Campitos Turquoise and Pyrite Nuggets with a Double linked Silver Chain

Graphic Burns on Cherry

2010-05-03T14:33:00.004-05:00

Two New Discs

2010-05-03T12:35:00.001-05:00

Myrtle Wood with burned areas hung with a silver rope chain

Microcrystalline Quartz

2010-05-02T15:47:00.022-05:00

Chrysoprase Slab with Silver Chain. For those liking a natural edge. Edition of 5.

Walnut And Black Onyx Carcanet

Osage Orange and Green Onyx Carcanet

1 Walnut And Black Onyx Earstuds
2 Walnut And Black Onyx Ring
3 Osage Orange and Green Onyx Ear Studs
4 Chrysoprase Earstuds
5 Graphic Burned Cherry Earstuds 1
6 Cast Silver Gemstone Ring

New Work Available at Robin Richman

2010-04-28T23:56:00.004-05:00

Old Glass New Glass

2009-11-15T00:44:00.015-06:00

Suspended Beads in Oregon Obsidian or White glass on a silver rope chain

Tempest Pendant

2009-11-15T00:05:00.008-06:00

Stainless steel bits embedded in cast resin and polished to a flat surface. Encased in a Myrtle wood Pendant.

Osage Orange

2009-11-14T23:21:00.007-06:00

Osage Orange, also known as bow wood, a native to Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. An extremely hard wood with a bright yellow-orange color and a unique fruit.

Carved Ring with Burned Band

New Disc. A more three dimensional variation of my disc series.

Petrified Wood

2009-11-14T21:25:00.013-06:00

Petrified Wood Pendant, Ear studs and Split Chain made from Fifty million year old Eocene period fossils from the Gallatin Petrified Forest. More on that here and here.

Left: Green Chert Earstuds, Center Three are all Petrified Wood Earstuds, Right: Silver Cast Poppy Earstuds

Graduated Round Beads in Burned Cherry

2009-11-03T00:55:00.008-06:00

Lathe carved and fire polished Cherry beads.

Cast Silver Miniature Poppy Earstuds

2009-11-01T16:09:00.006-06:00

Belgrade, Montana

Trunk Show Today at Robin Richman

2009-10-29T08:41:00.017-05:00

Cast Silver Pinecone ring.

Join us today at 5 for werewolves, witches, wizards, beavers and a special appearance by Caster Semenya!

A Three Wood and Copper Necklace

2009-10-25T02:51:00.005-05:00

A wood and copper neckace consisting of oval rings of Walnut, Myrtle, and Osage Orange woods joined by dapped copper links.

October 29 At Robin Richman

2009-10-04T12:28:00.012-05:00

Cast Beaver Jaw and Petrified Wood necklace.

Please join us Thursday October 29 at Robin Richman as we lay to rest another Summer.

New jewelry including compositions in black and white glass, petrified wood, cast silver as well as cast resin myrtle wood looking glasses and a handmade triple wood and copper chain. Also: Virtual crystal clusters inspired by the Mineralogical Record in the spirit of Halloween!!

Old Wood New Wood, Old Glass New Glass

2009-09-07T21:44:00.014-05:00

A double terminated water-washed quartz crystal

2009-04-25T14:56:00.006-05:00

This is a specimen found by my great grandfather, Fred N. Davies of Sheridan, Montana. He died in the 60's, having been born in the 1890's. I never met him.
I recovered it from many buckets of stones he'd collected during years of mining and exploring the mountains of Southwest Montana.

Super Supra Natural Pseudomorphs

2009-04-23T21:30:00.009-05:00

I'm really looking forward to introducing my Pseudomorph series. A pseudmorph is a crystal structure in which the original mineral that formed the crystal has been replaced with another mineral. This process can be compared to fossilization or petrification.

I thought it would be interesting to create a pseudomorph in which silver was cast into a mold made from a crystal specimen, thereby creating a false copy of the original shape.

The Glendonite Double Pseudomorph is a silver casting of a Glendonite specimen.

Glendonite forms as a result of the recrystallization or replacement of the original precursor mineral (Ikaite) with another mineral (Calcite). This process is known as pseudomorhing. Ikaite incorporates water molecules while crystallizing, and can only form in very cold temperatures. When the matrix encasing the ikaite crystals warms, as a result of ground movement or climate change, the Ikaite crystals collapse back into an aqueous solution, which then over time re-crystallizes as Calcite, filling the void left by the collapsed Ikaite and reproducing its form pseudomorphically.

Can it then be considered a Double Pseudomorph if the Calcite is replaced by the Silver through a specific set of circumstances brought about by myself? Interesting question. Regardless of the answer, I love the way the gemmy crystal structures reproduce in Silver.

Notes on Silver

2009-04-23T20:37:00.010-05:00

I enjoy using silver knowing that as a precious metal, it will retain its value over time. It is a nice alternative to gold in terms of both real cost and environmental costs due to mining. Silver is often found in the ores of copper, gold, or zinc, so is seen as a by product at some mines.

From the Butte, Montana mining district alone, 725,486,448 ounces of silver were mined. This is over ten billion dollars in the current silver price.

Most of my Jewelry utilizes sterling silver chain and findings. Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, most commonly copper.

Silver has the highest optical reflectivity of any metal, is antimicrobial, and can allegedly protect you from werewolves. Silver is the best conductor of both heat and electricity of all known metals. Silver forms crystals in the cubic pattern, and is one of the earliest metals to have been used by humans.

Silver in its native form.

The silver molecule.

Spring 2009 At Robin Richman

2009-04-22T21:41:00.019-05:00

Silver Cast Tourmaline Mounted on a Silver Cast Triple Split Branch

Large Silver Tourmaline Cast, Low Hanging Pendant

Natural Green Flourite, Hunan, China with Walnut Hanger

Three Circles. Burned Walnut, Silver

Cream White Cracked Medallion with Chain Rim. Pine with Brass Curb Chain

Large Medallion with Chain Rim. Pine with Brass Curb Chain

Carved Myrtlewood Ring, “Black Hole”

Glendonite Double Pseudomorph. Silver with Walnut Hanger

Silver Cast Sphalerite Ring “Eternal Energy”

Silver Cast Gemmy Calcite Mounted with a Myrtlewood Strap Handle

Seven Nesting Beads, Virtual Giant Pearls. Burned Black. Cherry, Silver

Seven Nesting Beads, Virtual Giant Pearls. White. Enameled Cherry, Silver

Seven Nesting Beads, Stacked Circles, Burned Black. Walnut, Silver

Seven Nesting Beads, Stacked Circles. Cherry, Silver

Seven Nesting Beads, Rounded Triangle, Burned Black. Walnut, Silver

Seven Nesting Beads, Rounded Triangle, Natural. Walnut, Silver

Seven Nesting Beads, Rounded Triangle, Burned Black. Walnut, Silver

2009-04-02T23:48:00.007-05:00

Its getting hot in here!
This is a fire polished walnut hexagonal cuff. The fire shapes the wood in an interesting pattern similar to erosion on land. Thin areas burn faster.

2009-03-29T01:49:00.013-05:00

Getting ready for an April 24 trunk show at Robin Richman....

Cast silver crystal pseudomorhps...

2009-03-29T01:34:00.011-05:00

The two piece magnetic cuff. A tighter fitting wood bracelet without a hinge. Burled Myrtlewood. Available soon at Robin Richman Chicago.

Arcs and Arches

2009-03-29T01:25:00.010-05:00

From my Arcs and Arches series, three gray enameled wooden neck pieces

2009-03-27T08:17:00.010-05:00

We like discs...

...and stars
An Eight Pointed Star pendant in natural/burned walnut.

2009-03-27T00:21:00.011-05:00

Here are a couple of my favorite necklaces, the Native 2 and the Double Crystalform.

2009-03-26T00:19:00.005-05:00

Welcome to Sophisticated Science, where I will post and talk about images of my work as well as other items I find interesting.