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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: steph on June 07, 2010, 10:54:47 PM

Title: heavy black glass tortoise ? French
Post by: steph on June 07, 2010, 10:54:47 PM

We've had this fella for last 20yrs and he was secondhand then so it's time I found out where he emigrated from.  I always thought he might be french.  He's 5" long X2 1/2" high and very heavy.  He's a very opaque black, no agate about him ( I read the discussion on black glass, thanks) if he is amethyst its very dense. Any help much appreciated. steph.

Title: Re: heavy black glass tortoise ? French
Post by: antiquerose123 on June 07, 2010, 11:17:21 PM

Hi there:  Is it glass?  It just reminds me of some things that I have here that are carved.  The turtle eyes look like they have been carved out.  Kinda reminds me of Soapstone....

Maybe I am wrong here (as I am still learning myself).......so what do I know LOL  ;D  

Title: Re: heavy black glass tortoise ? French
Post by: pamela on June 08, 2010, 04:50:55 AM

Seconded  :)

If it's glass, probably Obsidian?

Title: Re: heavy black glass tortoise ? French
Post by: antiquerose123 on June 08, 2010, 05:33:59 AM

Hi, this was what I was thinking of it reminded me of:  CLICK HERE (http://cgi.ebay.ca/CUTE-BLACK-SOAPSTONE-CARVED-TURTLE-from-Germany-NEW_W0QQitemZ370229265134QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE?hash=item56336242ee)    But if it is - Real soapstone (Eskimo, native) it can have some value too...

Title: Re: heavy black glass tortoise ? French
Post by: Ivo on June 08, 2010, 06:33:05 AM

Correct, it is another turdle made from Mexican obsidian.

Title: Re: heavy black glass tortoise ? French
Post by: steph on June 08, 2010, 11:32:35 AM

Thanks everyone - Ivo, yes he's Mexican as you say.  Wikipedia gave me an instant lesson on Obsidian!  So he's carved mineral....  but glass none the less!

Rose, If you google (sorry yet to learn how to do links  :-[) obsidian animals you'll see a Mexican company selling them... obsidian differs from soapstone in that it can be carved extremely finely.  Wiki say it's used for surgical scapels, it can be sharper than surgical steel!   :spls:

Title: Re: heavy black glass tortoise ? French
Post by: antiquerose123 on June 08, 2010, 07:09:56 PM

Thanks -- Will check that out -- have not seen those, so learn something every day.  Soapstone was my first thought when I looked at the eyes of it -- but it is glass.

Good to know.....Thanks  :thup: