|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 7, 2010 14:18:33 GMT -5
Does anybody know how to identify the exit tube on the exterior of a fortification agate?
I've got a complete Laker nodule (not sure if it's fortified) that I would like to cut along the exit tube, if it has one.
Thanks in advance! Chuck
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Apr 7, 2010 15:24:55 GMT -5
I don't even know what an exit tube is, LOL.
|
|
|
Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Apr 7, 2010 16:51:15 GMT -5
I know what an exit tube is in critters but not agate!
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Apr 7, 2010 19:14:31 GMT -5
I don't know, so this is just an "educated" guess. Wouldn't an eye be an exit tube?
Nate
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Apr 7, 2010 19:43:36 GMT -5
Rough tumble polish the outside to make it easier to see. :2cents:
Dr Joe
.
|
|
agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
|
Post by agatemaggot on Apr 7, 2010 20:07:16 GMT -5
The eye idea sounds right but ---- some lakers have several EYES . If it has one, go for it and good luck !
Harley
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
|
Post by Sabre52 on Apr 7, 2010 20:17:10 GMT -5
I could never tell the difference between and exit tube and infiltration channel. Both look the same to me. On the standard amygdaloid shaped ( almond shaped) nodule, the channel tends to be at the pointed end so if you cut through the point, you'll ht a channel. Whether it's the inlet or outlet, I don't know.....Mel
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 7, 2010 21:10:36 GMT -5
Thanks Mel! This nodule is more or less round, so it's going to be harder. I don't really care whether it's "exit" or "infiltration"; in fact, I think the jury is still out on what it really is. Here's a photo of a tube for the uninitiated (upper right hand): www.theearthstreasure.com/Earth%20435.jpgHere's another: www.agateswithinclusions.com/images/argentina/Condor_Fort1.jpgEyes on Lakers are a different phenomena. They tend to be very shallow and it's easy to polish them off. There are hypotheses that they "grew" from an impurity on the wall of the amygdule. Chuck
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
|
Post by Sabre52 on Apr 7, 2010 22:43:09 GMT -5
Yeah, a real rounded agate would be tough to judge but if there's no pointy part, I'd just try to saw through center mass in the longest direction and hope you nail the tube....Mel
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 8, 2010 11:33:52 GMT -5
I've been looking at the rock again today and it's relatively flat on one side, so I'm going to assume that is the bottom of the stone and cut along the longest dimension, as you suggested.
Chuck
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Apr 8, 2010 21:34:56 GMT -5
Don't forget the pix Chuck! I for one would love to see it.
Nate
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 9, 2010 12:13:57 GMT -5
Will do Nate. I hope to get my saw going this weekend. I hope we're not disappointed! It may turn out to be a moss agate.
Chuck
|
|
|
Post by frane on Apr 9, 2010 13:42:16 GMT -5
That is OK. I love to see moss agates also! Will look forward to seeing what you find inside! Fran
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 24, 2010 12:32:40 GMT -5
Well, I've added pics. In the hope that these pics might help others, I've gone overboard on showing the different angles. I pulled this nodule, about the size of a racquetball (a little smaller than a tennis ball), out of the Mississippi River last summer. In the end, there was no banding, let alone a tube, but Mel's advice is good I think and corresponds well to other agates I've seen with infiltration or exit tubes. Oh well, I think it will still make some nice cabs. i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn270/hardrockcafe_photos/mississippi%20nodule/_DSC0107.jpg</a>[/img] Finally, the inside. Sort of a confetti look: Chuck
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
|
Post by Sabre52 on Apr 24, 2010 13:46:17 GMT -5
Yep, if it's not a banded agate, it's probably not going to show an exit tube...Mel
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 24, 2010 16:34:59 GMT -5
Yes, I was hoping that it was banded on the inside, since it appeared to be an entire nodule.
Chuck
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Apr 24, 2010 17:32:20 GMT -5
It looks like our yellow quartz around here. At least you have a citrine color in it. Probably will look nice and sunny as a cab. (me, always looking on the bright side for ya...) Jo
|
|
|
Post by frane on Apr 26, 2010 19:02:47 GMT -5
Might make some cool cabs! I am sorry it didn't have the bands that you were hoping for. Fran
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Apr 26, 2010 22:22:53 GMT -5
Yeah, too bad there's no bands in it. Oh well, slab that sucka and cab away!
Nate
|
|