Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,471
|
Post by Sabre52 on Feb 3, 2006 11:51:17 GMT -5
Wow Zotika! I'm so used to dry country or desert collecting here in California. Looks like you're pulling good stuff from the mud in a rainforest park. Very scenic and nice place you've got for rocking there....mel
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Feb 3, 2006 13:19:21 GMT -5
Pebbles (not to step on Z's toes) When collecting rock LOCATION is everything- You look where the rock should be (by reading mother natures clues) When pulling a dirt encrusted rock outta the ground you really have no ide what it is gonna be- but certain clues can help tip you off (wieght, shape, outside colors and texture) and of course certain tests can be run in the field (hardness, reactivity to mild acids) and a lot of people will chip off a bit of the rock to take a peek inside- now I'm sure the Geologists have other tricks too but when I rockhound- I usually have at least SOME kind of idea what I EXPECT to find inside (course sometimes I'm surprised (good and Bad).-- Does that answer your question?
|
|
|
Post by Cher on Feb 3, 2006 13:25:56 GMT -5
Zotika, that doesn't look at all like a place to find rocks, more like digging for ferns. Is that what it is basically, you really have to literally dig to find them? How do you know what area to look in? Sorry for all the ??'s I'm just amazed at your pics.
|
|
Pebbles
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2005
Posts: 557
|
Post by Pebbles on Feb 3, 2006 14:10:58 GMT -5
Yeah, Stefan, that makes sense. Location is the obvious first step. And then one goes from there.
Just had wondered if a geologist, could tell from just looking that, let's say, Rock #1 (slab at top of posted pic) is "such-n-such" kind of rock, & Rock #2 (slab at bottom of posted pic) is a different "whatever" kind of rock, even though they look (to me at least) very similar from the outside. I imagaine some rocks would be obvious & others would need the various tests done before determining it's ID. Guess I'm always trying to find the easy way out.
This also makes me wonder, though, how many "prize" rocks have been stepped on, kicked aside (ouch!), or just plain ignored, all because of outward appearances? If I could carry that much and had the room, I would take 'em all home.
Anyways, thanks for taking the time to answer my question.
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Feb 3, 2006 14:29:25 GMT -5
Pebbles- If you don't ask you don't learn!!! My sister has her PhD in Geology- and I am a bit of a self trained rockhound- but it takes years of study to really be able to ID with just appearence- and you got to remember to a geologist (no offense to any Geologists) an agate is just a Banded form of quartz- they don't really make the distinctions of types like we do- they tend to be more concerned with formations, structures, deposits, metomophisis ect.- And yes desirable rocks are kicked aside everyday- Heck if they wern't we would never find em- I am amazed how many rocks I pick up from the same location- year after year after year- True funny story--- I was mining Herkimers a few years back- I was working the wall (as opposed to the waste piles) and chatting with a friendly chap from Conneticut- we gabbed and gabbed as we chiseled away- He was stand on a small boulder that was teetering back and forth- Well he got sick of it and pushed it over to my area- "Been standing on this damn thing all day!" is all he said- I stopped my chiseling and flipped the "damn thing" over- there in a pocket were 3 near flawless Herkimer diamonds in a cluster (total length of about 2 inches- and a forth Grade A flawless about 3/4" long- I grabbed the boulder- Showed him the importance of looking down once in a while- loaded it into my truck- and still have it to this day!
|
|
|
Post by Cher on Feb 3, 2006 14:38:54 GMT -5
Bet he was livid too wasn't he.
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Feb 3, 2006 14:44:57 GMT -5
You have NO IDEA- the guy was sputtering and spewing on about "HIS" rock- then his wife came over- told him to shut the heck up- he was making and azz of himself- I was gonna give him the rock (as I had a very successful mining trip that weekend) but he just stormed off pouting-
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Feb 3, 2006 14:45:46 GMT -5
oops did not mean to hyjack the thread--- My Bad
|
|
Pebbles
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2005
Posts: 557
|
Post by Pebbles on Feb 3, 2006 14:51:50 GMT -5
Stefan -
Sometimes I feel like such a "doofus" for asking, what looks like in retrospect, a silly question. It seems like I'm always wondering about stuff & I sometimes open my mouth (or start typing) without taking the time to figure it out on my own.
This board is like a classroom where the teachers & students are constantly changing roles. It's been a great source of information & I've learned sooo much. The best part is - NO exams to take!
Zotika -
So sorry for side-tracking your posting!!! You do such fabulous work with your rocks & you are quite the inspiration! I really look forward to seeing what you do with the slabs.
|
|
Zoran
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2005
Posts: 880
|
Post by Zoran on Feb 3, 2006 15:53:01 GMT -5
I am trying to answer to your questions. But I don't know simple way. When going rockhounding you must be prepared. You must first study geological and topographic maps. Pick perspective geological unit and then try to choose most perspective areas in. For instance if you are looking for agate, chalcedony, amethyst... very perspective are volcanic complexes. On the other hand great deal of my agates, chalcedonies, and jaspers are from serpentinites. Some minerals can be found in different geological settings. When you find perspective geological unit like serpentinites, you must look for same perspective structures in them like faults. Also some geomorphological analysis is very useful. To make it simple - look for some hill tops that are sticking out. It is good prospecting criteria when you are looking for silica minerals that are much harder (resistant to erosion) then surrounding rocks. Of course that vein of bluish-purple chalcedony is not found just like that "let's dig here". There were some outcrops of silica rich serpentinites that pointed the way. I'll try to answer to other of your questions latter 'cause my younger daughter has fever. And I am glad that you are "side-tracking" my post. In fact i don't think that it is side-tracking at all. Zoki
|
|
|
Post by krazydiamond on Feb 3, 2006 16:39:57 GMT -5
those are some great slabs, Zoki!!! love the Serbian Blue Lace the best!!!!! don't forget to show us the cabs!!!!!!!
KD
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Feb 3, 2006 19:31:29 GMT -5
That's really interesting info too, I really have to open some books! You look like a natural up on that hill!
|
|
Pebbles
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2005
Posts: 557
|
Post by Pebbles on Feb 3, 2006 22:42:17 GMT -5
Zoki -
Okay, I'm beginning to get it. Serious rock hunting isn't that much different than going hunting for, let's say, a wild boar. One would not go wandering aimlessly in the dessert, armed with a sling-shot, hoping to "bag" a wild boar. First you would have to know a wild boar's habitat. Next, you'd need to take the proper "equipment" with you. Then you'd go to the location where they are known to exist & look for signs (tracks).
And of course it would be most helpful to know what your hunting for looks like "out in the wild". That seems to be the biggest challenge since most rocks look so different on the outside than on the inside. And when you try to find pictures to go by, most are pics of the rock's guts (so to speak), stripped of it's outer layer. So, I guess I was wondering if you could tell without "gutting" a rock, what it is?
Please excuse my wacky analogy. I'm just trying to sort out what you're saying by making a comparison I can relate to. Been out of school wayyyy too long.
Thanks for taking time out to clarify things for me!
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Feb 6, 2006 14:23:27 GMT -5
Pebbles--- EXACTLY!!!!! Unfortunatly- there is not a big sign saying "GOOD ROCKS HERE!!" when i go hounding- or even mining- there is a lot of trash for very little treasure--- Sure sometimes you hit the motherload- but usually it is a lot of searching, digging, picking up, smacking with a hammer- to get the good stuff- That is why I love hunting Beaches, rivers, and creeks--- it helps concentrate the rock- and good old mother nature does a nice job on tumbling!
|
|