Opal and Fiber Optic Arrow Points

PAGE 2 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
modern points made from opal
real and synthetic opal
PRESENT DAY
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COPYRIGHT MARCH 31, 2003 PETER A. BOSTROM

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGE IMAGE
MODERN-MADE ARROW POINT
MADE BY JIM HOPPER
SYNTHETIC OPAL
PRIVATE COLLECTION

This arrow point was made several years ago by Jim Hopper. It was made out of what is apparently a fairly rare type of opaque synthetic opal. This material displays brilliantly iridescent colors of all variety. It must be one of the most beautiful arrow points ever made, and for two reasons. One reason is that it was made with perfect flaking technique similar to some of the Columbia River gem points from northwestern United States. The other reason is, of course, that it was made from a very exotic material that sparkles every color in the rainbow. It's a wonderful work of art. This point measures 1 9/16 inches (4 cm) long.

Opal is a fairly easy stone to flake, but expensive if you make a mistake. The better quality synthetic opal is also expensive if compared to the various cherts, chalcedony and obsidian most flintknappers use.

MODERN-MADE ARROW POINT
UNKNOWN ARTIST
AUSTRALIAN OPAL
PRIVATE COLLECTION

This point was made from Australian opal. Some of the opalescent fire can be seen in the picture. This example measures 1 1/8 inches (2.8 cm) long.

There are many other beautiful gemstones, besides opal, that would make showy points. But most wouldn't be suitable for that purpose. A large number of them are in a category to hard to flake and depending on the rarity, to small. Most flintknappers would not want to make a point from very valuable materials. It takes a lot of skill and nerve.

MODERN-MADE ARROW POINT
UNKNOWN ARTIST
SYNTHETIC RESIN OPAL
PRIVATE COLLECTION

This rather roughly shaped arrow point was made from the lower quality synthetic resin opal. As would be expected with a resin material, it does not flake very well. After this point was flaked into shape it was polished in a tumbler. It measures 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm) long.

There is another material that rivals opal as an eye catching material and some flintknappers have been experimenting with it in recent years. They are making points out of synthetic fiber optic. It has been available in different colors and its reflective qualities seems like something alien to the planet. Fiber optic has a brilliant sheen that is both hard to photograph and describe. But it makes beautiful points.

MODERN-MADE POINTS
MADE OF FIBER OPTIC MATERIALS
PAUL WRIGHT & UNKNOWN ARTIST
PRIVATE COLLECTION

   Another synthetic material that really catches the eye, other than opal, is fiber optics. The points pictured above were all made from different colors of fiber optic materials. This material has been available in recent years in pieces large enough to flake into various sizes of "art pieces." It's an odd material that is hard to photograph because of it's brilliant surface and other odd qualities.
   The largest point at the top was made by Paul Wright. It was made out of a pink variety of fiber optic and is very well made. It measures 4 1/4 inches (10.8 cm) long.
   The two smaller points were made from a piece of white and a two toned color piece of fiber optic material.

One thing is for sure, if someone can think of it someone will eventually do it. That's what has been happening in the flintknapping community. For the last 15 or 20 years, more and more knappers have been making "art pieces." They are experimenting with every available type of material that can be used. Opal is just one of the more exotic materials.

"REFERENCES"

1912, "Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico", Smithsonian Institution pub., Part 1 Bulletin 30, PP 465.

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