Post by rockpickerforever on Nov 2, 2012 12:04:06 GMT -5
Here's a few I in September and October. Most of the rocks I have been cutting were found (not purchased) in the nearby desert, are smaller than fist size, and are cut by hand (not in vice) on a ten inch saw. Since they are found, I couldn't give you a name for most of them, I just think if them as neat lookin' rocks, and some of them make nice cabs.
First, some natural shaped hearts with a red slash. Will finish these up as hearts when I get the time:
Some more generic rocks, unknowns. I like to pick up anything that is hard (will take a shine), has pattern and/or color. The first two were cut from walnut sized rocks, the black and white was maybe apple-sized:
These three slices were from a chunk of silicified/agatized/opalized? coral. They make pretty cabs, although two of them have the rough backs I'm gonna have to deal with first.
An afternoon's worth of more mostly generic rocks. I don't mind the small size of the rocks, 'cause I don't need to make huge cabs. I generally cut free-forms, to make the most use of the slabs. A couple of agates in this photo:
Some coprolite and wonderstone here:
A fire agate nodule in the upper right of this one:
And saved the best for last. This rock I had picked up (with a couple hundred pounds of others - lol!) at an estate sale. I was sure it was something special, as the previous owner was a collector that knew his stuff. I had to look at it for a while, to figure how I wanted to tackle it:
I held my breath and made the cut:
Wow! Don't know what it is, or where it's from, but it was like Christmas!
I guess this is why we cut rocks open, lol! I'm gonna stop right here, and not cut anymore on this one until I get a new blade on my saw. Thanks for looking. Jean
First, some natural shaped hearts with a red slash. Will finish these up as hearts when I get the time:
Some more generic rocks, unknowns. I like to pick up anything that is hard (will take a shine), has pattern and/or color. The first two were cut from walnut sized rocks, the black and white was maybe apple-sized:
These three slices were from a chunk of silicified/agatized/opalized? coral. They make pretty cabs, although two of them have the rough backs I'm gonna have to deal with first.
An afternoon's worth of more mostly generic rocks. I don't mind the small size of the rocks, 'cause I don't need to make huge cabs. I generally cut free-forms, to make the most use of the slabs. A couple of agates in this photo:
Some coprolite and wonderstone here:
A fire agate nodule in the upper right of this one:
And saved the best for last. This rock I had picked up (with a couple hundred pounds of others - lol!) at an estate sale. I was sure it was something special, as the previous owner was a collector that knew his stuff. I had to look at it for a while, to figure how I wanted to tackle it:
I held my breath and made the cut:
Wow! Don't know what it is, or where it's from, but it was like Christmas!
I guess this is why we cut rocks open, lol! I'm gonna stop right here, and not cut anymore on this one until I get a new blade on my saw. Thanks for looking. Jean