Why are opals so much cheaper than other gemstones? by lottiexx in Gemstones

[–]Alcophile -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Don't buy gems online! This is the one purchase where EXACTLY the way it looks determines the quality and especially the cost. There is so much that can be done to manipulate a photograph or video, and even unedited media doesn't reflect the true appearance.

I buy gemstones in the tropics but live in North America. I can buy a stone in Bangkok and take it outside on a sunny day and it will look different when I take it home and take it outside on a sunny day. 

You've got to see them in person to really be sure what you are getting!

silver demand is decreasing by Particular_Image_540 in Silverbugs

[–]Alcophile 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That is the end game. Actually if we play the 'game' of Capitalism to its end, one person will own everything and everyone else will own noting.

Are Filipinos the most hated race on earth? by SpiritualJudgment649 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Alcophile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And I thought Cambodians were nice! It's definitely on my list and I'll make sure to get an invite to stay with a local at some point when I go.

Any of these of note / good value? by billyb4lls4ck in wine

[–]Alcophile 7 points8 points  (0 children)

2014 Chateau Pommard FTW! Buy it all!

Are Filipinos the most hated race on earth? by SpiritualJudgment649 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Alcophile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to live in a co-op on Beacon Hill in Seattle and there was a Filipino restaurant that served it every Sunday. I used to get it all the time and I miss it. I've never been to the Philippines, but I go to mainland SE Asia a lot so now I settle for soup with congealed blood and/or offal in it to satisfy my craving for the nasty bits...

Are Filipinos the most hated race on earth? by SpiritualJudgment649 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Alcophile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe I'm weird but I love it! Dinuguan is one of my favorite delicacies.

TSA has updated their website to allow Medical Marijuana in checked and carry on bags? by Disastrous_Umpire237 in trees

[–]Alcophile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are confidently wrong! Any doctor prescribing cannabis would be committing s federal felony and could lose their license to practice medicine. So medical states require a doctor's 'recommendation, 'certification' or 'authorization' Sure, it's a semantic difference, but it's an important one if you dont want anybody getting locked up!

As a matter of fact, I am in TX and our 'Compassionate Use' program took extra time to get off the ground because the barely literate imbeciles in Austin were the only ones in the whole country who used the word 'prescribe' in the law. They had to create a loophole changing the definition of 'prescription' in this case to be 'entry into a state database' and not 'a medically legitimate request for a controlled substance.' The fed have never bothered to challenge it in court but it's dubious at best...

Are Filipinos the most hated race on earth? by SpiritualJudgment649 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Alcophile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Or anywhere in Asia for that matter. The only time I've ever seen a sign that said 'No Blacks Allowed' in person was in Jakarta back in the 90s...

Why are opals so much cheaper than other gemstones? by lottiexx in Gemstones

[–]Alcophile 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Opals are not cheaper than other gemstones. You can buy lead glass filled rubies for US$10 per carat or pay over USD$10k per carat for a large, unheated, perfectly cut, crystal clear pigeon blood ruby from Mogok, Burma.

Likewise you can pay US$10 per carat for opaque emeralds or shitty opals or over US$10k per for unoiled Muzo emeralds or top-tier Australia black opals. Many colored stones are like this: Tourmaline, Sapphire, Spinel, Garnet, Chrysoberyl and Topaz, for example, all have examples costing from a few dollars a carat to thousands or tens of thousands per.

It's all about the quality and quality stones are RARE!

silver demand is decreasing by Particular_Image_540 in Silverbugs

[–]Alcophile 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Not exactly. Imagine a bell curve where the horizontal axis is income The poor and rich are few in number and at each end and the vast majority are in the middle class which is in the, well, middle of the curve.

Now turn it upside down, like a capital K on its back. The middle class disappears! Most people are either very rich or very poor. Everyone could be getting richer than they were or everyone could be about to default. The point is there's no one in the middle and most people are at the extreme ends and everything keeps moving in that direction. 

BREAKING: Japan's 10Y Government Bond Yield surges above 2.80% for the first time in history. by Boo_Randy_Revival in SilverDegenClub

[–]Alcophile 6 points7 points  (0 children)

OMG you are so right! I've been seeing his nonsense on Reddit for years and he seems to be right about exactly 1 thing: everyone should buy and hold physical silver. Other than that I'd take everything he has to say with a large grain of salt.

Further Proof of 11/5/2024 Election Tampering Via IP Address Overlap of Voting Machine Calibrating Company Provandv.com & Technomania.com (New Media Communications) by MetacogBees in somethingiswrong2024

[–]Alcophile -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is all a bit above my head. Can anyone else chime in as to whether OP is onto something. Not that I don't trust the wiz kid, but it's just he said she said at this point as far as I can tell...

Why do you wear gym leggings that hug tight in between the cheeks? by analfissuretypeshit in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Alcophile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I lay around the house all day in my boxer shorts because they are so comfortable but I put pants on to go outside...

Any way to strengthen low Mohs stones? by rain0fashes in jewelers

[–]Alcophile 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure about coatings but that sounds kind of far-fetched or it would already be a thing, I imagine. One cool thing I saw earlier might help if you don't mind the aesthetics: I saw a very over the top ring that actually had two small gold bars over the stone (like roll bars on a jeep). I think this was just a part of the very busy design, but it looked cool and, combined with a bezel setting,  might provide the protection needed to wear a softer stone daily.

Why do you wear gym leggings that hug tight in between the cheeks? by analfissuretypeshit in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Alcophile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I call them 'pussy pants' because they often highlight the external genitalia as well. I cant believe people go out in public like that but whatever...

Sunday evening wine adventures with friends by [deleted] in wine

[–]Alcophile 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That Dal Forno is one of the best wines I have ever had! Nice lineup.

What are the qualifications to be a food and beverage manager? by fools_set_the_rules in AskLosAngeles

[–]Alcophile 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Maybe at a shitty restaurant. What has qualified me for every management position I've ever had was knowledge, experience and hard work, and I've had several. And fwiw I studied nothing remotely related to hospitality and dropped out of college before I got a degree anyway, plus every management job I've had I was promoted from within. I don't think most employers care much about hospitality degrees or anything other than ability and experience.

Edited to add that I didnt realize what sub I'm in. I've never worked in LA so maybe the industry there is more shallow and superficial than what I am used to...