margaret griffin on fri 15 aug 97
I'm curious about what determines the fluctuations in the price of cobalt
and am wondering if there is any way to predict when prices will rise or
fall. The most popular glaze here at Champlain College must be a
transparent Noxema blue (formula upon request) but worrisomely expensive on
a small budget! Any information will be helpful. Thanks.
Margaret Griffin
griffin@champlaincollege.qc.ca
cobbeldi on sat 16 aug 97
Margaret, I've been told that the fluctuations in the price of cobalt have
to do with civil strife in Rhodesia. Whenever they're fighting, the price
goes up. I don't know how true that is, but several suppliers have told me
that. When the price goes down, I stock up. Would you mind sending me the
recipe for Noxema blue?
My e-mail address is TIA
Debra in Alabama
----------
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I'm curious about what determines the fluctuations in the price of cobalt
> and am wondering if there is any way to predict when prices will rise or
> fall. The most popular glaze here at Champlain College must be a
> transparent Noxema blue (formula upon request) but worrisomely expensive
on
> a small budget! Any information will be helpful. Thanks.
>
> Margaret Griffin
> griffin@champlaincollege.qc.ca
>
Ric Swenson on sat 16 aug 97
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I'm curious about what determines the fluctuations in the price of cobalt
>and am wondering if there is any way to predict when prices will rise or
>fall. The most popular glaze here at Champlain College must be a
>transparent Noxema blue (formula upon request) but worrisomely expensive on
>a small budget! Any information will be helpful. Thanks.
>
>Margaret Griffin
>griffin@champlaincollege.qc.ca
-------------reply--------
Margaret,
The answer lies (lays?) in Where Cobalt Oxide/ Carbonate comes from. The
political stability or lack thereof...and demand for use in metals can
cause wild fluxuations in prices. Cobalt is somewhat rare (duh!) and
demand for use in metalurgy and ceramics, etc. is pretty high.
Major sources in South Africa and Canada. Fortunately only 1% of Cobalt
Oxide is needed to yield a deep blue. (or about 3% of the Carbonate)
HTH.
Ric
Fay & Ralph Loewenthal on sun 17 aug 97
Debra in Alabama wrote:
Margaret, I've been told that the fluctuations in the price of cobalt have
to do with civil strife in Rhodesia. Whenever they're fighting, the price
goes up. I don't know how true that is, but several suppliers have told me
that
Some observations on what suppliers have to say. Firstly
there is no Rhodesia it is Zimbabwe and has been for at
least a decade if not two. Secondly there is very little
civil strife there, at least nothing that would effect the
mines production. Thirdly South Africa also produces
Cobalt. It is the cost of production that effects the price.
I paid R125.00 a kilogram in 1994 and barely 3 years
later I am paying R250.00 a kilogram, double. I am buying
it now from the supplier who supplied the person I bought
it from originally, and he was making a profit. I think I am
paying more than double the price of cobalt in 1994.
Maybe I should get this chap to export to the States and
you could get your cobalt at more reasonable prices.
BTW there are 4.5 SA Rand per US dollar, so your
wholesalers would be paying something less than $50.00
a kilogram (2.254 Lbs), because they do not pay tax and
buy in massive bulk. Hope this helps Ralph in PE SA
DonKopy@aol.com on mon 18 aug 97
Hi Margaret,
As I understand it, the following factors are involved. The general outlook
for the next few years see a greater supply and moderately falling wholesale
prices. It seems that the cobalt is often found in association with nickle
and is a direct by-product of nickle mining operations. The nickle is
primarily used in the production of stainless steel. The market for stainless
steel is driven by the overall economy of industrialized nations, and orders
for hardgoods. So....an economic downturn or recession appears to be bad for
cobalt prices. The forcasts for SS demand are strong and some new cobalt
resources
are coming on line (there are several large undeveloped reserves, it's just a
matter of demand and desire to exploit them). While there may be some
wrinkles and bumps in the pricing of cobalt, they are to be considered short
term. By the year 2000 (sounds like a long time from now doesn't it) there is
expected to be a 35% (over 1994 volumes) increase in world production .
Producers expect a downward price trend due to the increased production.
Another factor is the political climate in the major producing countries.
Since the problems in Zaire (where the miners revolted, took over the
refinery and crippled it, basically trashing it, causing the engineers to
flee the country for safe havens) caused a major shortage several years ago
the mining companies are (I believe) diversifying their operations relying
less on any one country. A large unexploited reserve in Cuba was to begin
operation and go on line a few years back. Their military downing of a
civilian plane put that on hold for the time being. The mining company was
waiting to see the political ramifications and if a threatened embargo was to
be carried out.
The best hedge against uncertain supplies and price fluctuations is to
purchase in quantity and work off those reserves.
Anyone interested in a group buy of cobalt carbonate, please E-mail me at
DonKopy@aol.com , and I'll put you on a list (10 lb. quantities minimum
please [you could go in with your friends on that if it's too steep, but I
don't want to be breaking down and sending pounds] ). If there is enough
interest, I'll get some quotes. If you only use oxide but could use large
quantites let me know too just in case there is enough interest for that as
well. I'm extremely busy now, so the buy and distribution could be a few
months down the road.
Margaret Griffin wrote:
>I'm curious about what determines the fluctuations in the price of cobalt
and am wondering if there is any way to predict when prices will rise or
fall. The most popular glaze here at Champlain College must be a transparent
Noxema blue (formula upon request) but worrisomely expensive on a small
budget! Any information will be helpful. Thanks.<
From a man who bought 100 lbs of cobalt carbonate at the beginning of the
last shortage, it's all gone now.....sigh.
Regards,
Don Kopyscinski
Bear Hills Pottery
Newtown, CT
Ken Russell on mon 18 aug 97
>>Margaret, I've been told that the fluctuations in the price of cobalt
have
>>to do with civil strife in Rhodesia
Back in the late '70's and early 80's when Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, the
price of Cobalt was about a hundred bucks a pound. I used up my last bit
of that expensive stuff a few years ago. You're right however, if Zimbabwe
does start having civil unrest like much of the rest of Africa (Zaire,
Congo, etc), plan on spending the big bucks for Cobalt. South America does
have a source of Cobalt Oxide but it's not as nice (I got some once with
chunks of debris and "stuff" in it from SA. Had to sieve it out)
Ken Russell
The Arlington Pottery
gone2pot@iw.net
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