spacemanspliff
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 171
|
Post by spacemanspliff on Mar 12, 2006 2:31:52 GMT -5
I have noticed there's quite a bit of variation in the cost of blue agate, greatly depending on where it's from. Ellensburg goes for up to $100 a carat Holley Blue goes for up to $100 a pound and Brazillian goes for around $5 a pound. I have a couple of blue agates I got from my $3 yard sale bucket, and one is pretty big. I want to cut into it but I certainly don't want to use a cheap saw to cut a gem quality rock. Now I know the chances of getting a quality rock at a yard sale are slim, but it is fesable since I do live in proximity to Ellensburg and Oregon that it could be one of these gem variety's. Here's a couple of pictures I took, is it even possible to figure out the variety from pictures alone? Do rock shops usually charge for identification? Peace, SSSSpaceman SSSpliff
|
|
firecop
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2005
Posts: 103
|
Post by firecop on Mar 12, 2006 11:10:15 GMT -5
Man, I dont know what it is but good luck! She looks like she will shine up real nice when cut, either way.
|
|
|
Post by Cher on Mar 12, 2006 12:08:39 GMT -5
Looks like there's some banding in there but I have no idea what it is, just that it's pretty. I wouldn't be afraid to cut an end piece off with the workforce.
|
|
|
Post by gemkoi on Mar 12, 2006 13:12:38 GMT -5
Hey spacemanspliff, cool handle.
As far as ID, most rockshops wont charge for a generalized ID. IF you need it tested, then you would be charged. But in cases like the piece you got there, paying to get it tested would be a waste, because we know what it is. Most test can not denote a location, only a chemical makeup. And if it a known mineral that can be matched, then a location may be noted. BUT agate in that color there is found in every state, country around the world.
Let me break down some info for you on Cost of Blue Chalcedony.
Most chalcedony, which is pure agate, silica. Mostly comes in a gray/blue color. Which is the piece you have there, gray falls before blue in the color spectrum, and in cases were there may be more blue in color. Once you begin cutting it, blue color falls, so it still can turn out gray when finished.
For "true blue" chalcedony, cost can be high. The main factors will be quality of impurities or inclusions, and second, local.
The more inclusions of impurities in the rough, the lesser the value. And the deeper the blue color, however it must still remain very translucent, can get very expensive. Malawi Blue Chalcedony is still getting at the low end, $20 per pound, and the high end, $100 per pound. And it a true Blue. Namibian Blue, which is were "Blue Lace Agate" is from, the pure blue, with no lace can and does sell in the carat rate like Ellensburg.
And in cases like Ellensburg, the name is what dictates the price. AS its the only chalcedony in the Smithsonian that is consider "gem". It has some odd properties but i dont recall what those are. But i have some Ellensburg, and it not as blue as some Namibian and Malawi blue i have. And i had to pay more for the Ellensburg just because its very scarce.
I can see in you photos your piece has some heavy inclusions. Looks like Plumes! Which would be more worth cutting out, then for the color. To be honest that piece has drab color. But that’s just my personal opinion. I know it will be fun to cut and take a fine polish.
|
|
|
Post by rockds on Mar 12, 2006 16:23:15 GMT -5
hey gemkoi, thanks for the info
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Mar 13, 2006 14:40:24 GMT -5
As gem koi stated (and no offense to your rock) it is rather a drab blue- But yours does have some nice plumes and what looks like some banding!!! is it a $100 a carat rock- well sorry but no- However it is more than a DOllar a pound stuff- I would not worry about slicing it up- but think before you cut- as this one has some real nice cab potential!
|
|
Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
|
Post by Rockygibraltar on Mar 13, 2006 22:25:59 GMT -5
It sort of looks like some wood limb casts that I had a while back.
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
|
Post by Sabre52 on Mar 13, 2006 22:56:20 GMT -5
In the top pic, the kinda drab blue with the white plumey pattern reminds me of some of the material from the graveyard Point area on the Oregon/Idaho border....mel
|
|
spacemanspliff
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 171
|
Post by spacemanspliff on Mar 16, 2006 5:35:22 GMT -5
GemKoi, Thanks for the lesson in blue agates! I will cut into it with confidance now . RockyGibralter, the bucket had a larger blue agate limb cast in there too, maybe it is the same thing. At least I think it is a limb cast . Peace, SSSSpaceman SSSpliff
|
|