Post by jamesp on Jul 8, 2014 3:23:28 GMT -5
Finally have a local rockhound that wants to put up with the hassle of collecting coral on the river.
Keith(kap) and friend asked about doing a trip and wants to collect partially filled coral heads.
Looks like a road trip is in the making.
The partially filled corals are the most deceptive.
Here is 2 corals. They were pried out of clay, protected from the dark river stain
The orange pimply coating is typical of a high chalcedony? content suggesting botryoidal formation within.
Sawing the one on the right scores well. Notice the blue clay fill. The clay is heavy too, so specific gravity is about the same as a solid coral.
If anyone has knowledge of why that virgin clay is in these please step forward with explanation.
After 10 minutes cleaning w/a pressure washer the persistent clay is cleaned out
The coral on the left was a bust, solid all the way thru
The temptation to hit these with a hammer is about always a bad idea.
So you may carry 50 corals home and only 2 are hollow. Lots of sawing.
Sometimes a vein or more accurately, a section of undisturbed reef is found that has all hollow corals.
They are nested together as they were when they were alive. Usually in small groups.
Others are washed out and laying in the river with a dark stain or covered w/moss.
And many too big for an 18" saw. This one maxed out the saw.
Reverse side
Some have nice color
Some tiny, often holding water and bubble(anhydrous)
Some give tiny hints, the little botryoidal cavity above the Marks-a-lot on this 35 pounder
Most are broken and litter the river gravel with strange formations
and look cool when tumbled
or heated
Multiple cavities
Ancient bore hole damage from boring clams(2 terminated holes)
Cross cut bore hole termination filled with grey agate
Woes of using hammer and not the saw
Incomplete silicifications
Hollow, or solid ??
Whomever collects this stuff needs a good sized rock saw. And a boat. Lots of boats around here, not many rock saw owners.
I hope that Keith and friend will find these. I collect all forms and throw the suspicious ones in the 'hollow' bucket.
Many are too big for an 18" saw. Better to have a 30 incher, and a good back.
Looking forward to the trip. Hope the river behaves and stays low.
Keith(kap) and friend asked about doing a trip and wants to collect partially filled coral heads.
Looks like a road trip is in the making.
The partially filled corals are the most deceptive.
Here is 2 corals. They were pried out of clay, protected from the dark river stain
The orange pimply coating is typical of a high chalcedony? content suggesting botryoidal formation within.
Sawing the one on the right scores well. Notice the blue clay fill. The clay is heavy too, so specific gravity is about the same as a solid coral.
If anyone has knowledge of why that virgin clay is in these please step forward with explanation.
After 10 minutes cleaning w/a pressure washer the persistent clay is cleaned out
The coral on the left was a bust, solid all the way thru
The temptation to hit these with a hammer is about always a bad idea.
So you may carry 50 corals home and only 2 are hollow. Lots of sawing.
Sometimes a vein or more accurately, a section of undisturbed reef is found that has all hollow corals.
They are nested together as they were when they were alive. Usually in small groups.
Others are washed out and laying in the river with a dark stain or covered w/moss.
And many too big for an 18" saw. This one maxed out the saw.
Reverse side
Some have nice color
Some tiny, often holding water and bubble(anhydrous)
Some give tiny hints, the little botryoidal cavity above the Marks-a-lot on this 35 pounder
Most are broken and litter the river gravel with strange formations
and look cool when tumbled
or heated
Multiple cavities
Ancient bore hole damage from boring clams(2 terminated holes)
Cross cut bore hole termination filled with grey agate
Woes of using hammer and not the saw
Incomplete silicifications
Hollow, or solid ??
Whomever collects this stuff needs a good sized rock saw. And a boat. Lots of boats around here, not many rock saw owners.
I hope that Keith and friend will find these. I collect all forms and throw the suspicious ones in the 'hollow' bucket.
Many are too big for an 18" saw. Better to have a 30 incher, and a good back.
Looking forward to the trip. Hope the river behaves and stays low.