Vintage lighter, what's the stone?

Can someone reckognise the type of stone just from photos?
Is it Rhodochrosite or something else?
Thanks!

 

I'll take a shot at it... agate, which is a chalcedony... prettier when sliced and polished. It has been carved a bit for your lighter. Rhodo is usually pinker/redder, I think.
The experts will be along later to give you a real verdict. Could we see the base, please?
Good luck!

 

Thanks for the support Gila!
I guess someone who knows stones could tell from the way it decayed on eroded part.
Here are the photos

 

I looked up Agate. It looks like you may be correct.

 

Pity about that big old chip .

 

Yeah...Thats what certain american oil magnate said when visiting Partheon for the first time.

 

Treated and carved alabaster - it looks soft, and where it's worn it's white... Italian and often come with cigarette box or holder and ashtray. People like them :

 

I agree with scoutshouse
Alabaster
Probably has a coating similar to shellac on it. Yellows over time.

 

Another vote for alabaster.

 

Thank you guys for expertise! I appreciate every answer very much.
While we are on matter of stones, can you tell me what do you make of this paper weight/figurine? To me they look like those egyptian bugs and the stone?

 

Thanks Afantiques!

 

Hi Makanudo,
Looks like an Egyptian scarab. Probably alabaster.
greg

 

The base and scarab is glued together with some mass, and I can see star shaped crystals from beneath and they look threedimensional

 

It seems different texture than the lighter, from my view

 

I'd say both are alabaster. I've seen lots of those Italian smokers bits. Your scarab weight is typical of Egyptian souvenir ware, but nothing wrong with that.

 

Well, now I learned about alabaster! Thanks, all!

 

It looks more like marble - twice as hard as alabaster - those lines on the bottom are typical of materials more formed under higher heat - think like how glass or porcelain fractures. Alabaster is more translucent and waxy looking, marble not. It won't make much difference in value on this piece, but good to know.

https://cycleback.wordpress.com/201...tandard-stone-in-sculptures-and-construction/

Just for fun, marble is about as hard as a penny on the Mohs scale - you can put together your very own test kit (how cool is that?):

 

Of Course. Until yesterday I knew hardly anything about precious, semi precious and stones at all for that matter. I got hooked on buying things that look vintage or antique, but I only buy stuff I like and I do not sell, so I have no regrets.

 

Until today, I never gave much thought as to whether something was a mineral or stone - I wouldn't have been much motivated to figure it out - or even even been too intimidated to ask, but looking at and handling things I like and am attracted is somehow more inspiring. I get hooked! So thanks for your questions!

No regrets - I only pay more than 5 bucks if I know what something is, then I go for it. The biggest mistake I made is attempting to buy cast iron toys - epic fail bc I paid $$, then went back to my regular miserly way...

 

Scout, I like that idea... about the dollars-limit. I would avoid a lot of aggravation if I did that. I would even go as high as 10, since I'd pay that for a quick lunch and not expect anything other than a full tummy. No more than 10 unless I am absolutely sure I know identity and value. I'm gonna call that SCOUT'S LAW.