A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to have lunch with Philip Stephenson. Philip is the owner of the web site Rare Rock And Gems.com. At this website you can find some the most outstanding Morrisonite and Willow Creek Japer. Some of you might be familiar with some of the Morrisonite in Philip’s collection that is displayed on his website because they were featured in the May, 2008 issue of Rock & Gem Magazine.
Morrisonite From Philip’s Collection – Featured in Rock and Gem magazine
Morrisonite From Philip’s Collection – Featured in Rock and Gem magazine
My first knowledge of Philip came from seeing his posts on lapidary forums. I had also seen his collection on display at the Idaho Gem Club’s Rock show but hadn’t associated it with him until a friend pointed out that he was the owner of the collection. I had always thought that I would like to meet Philip but hadn’t had the chance until he contacted me about sharing the collection area maps on this site. Of course I was not going to turn down somebody who was going to help promote my website so I sent my approval along with a note stating that I would like to meet him. He quickly responded with the offer to have lunch one day. A week or so later we met at the Bardenay Restaurant in Downtown Boise.
The first thing we talked about was some pieces we each brought for a little show and tell. I brought some agates and Philip brought an incredible piece of Willow Creek Jasper and slab that was cut from it which lead to a discussion about polishing techniques. The polish on my agates was OK but compared to the jasper it was dull. Philip explained his process and the tools used in detail which was great to hear. Most of the time polishing advice comes as “use this material or tool” with no direction on techniques. I went home that evening and tried some of the techniques and had a little improvement. I didn’t have all the tools needed to complete the process so I still have a ways to go. I will probably write about the process in a future post when I have all the needed tools and a little hands-on experience with it.
Willow Creek Jasper From Philip’s Collection
Willow Creek Jasper From Philip’s Collection
We spent the next hour and a half taking about locations to go rock hounding, techniques for photographing rocks, and web sites of lapidary craftsmen that we admire. I felt we could have talked for a few more hours but I had to get going.
As I walked away my mind was going all over the place. I had so many new ideas to work with. Thank you, Philip; I really appreciate your ideas and inspiration.
