lilacmoth
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 160
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Post by lilacmoth on Mar 12, 2015 2:25:57 GMT -5
Hey everyone! I've been reading this board for a few weeks now and decided it was time to join. I'm a 35 yo stay at home mom to an 8yo boy and I've loved rocks ever since I can remember. I must've gotten it from my mom, because we both pick up and hoard rocks like they're worth money or something. Despite my interest, I know very little about them. Recently I've moved very close to the Olympic peninsula in Washington state and now we have so many outdoor activities to do and beautiful places to go to, that I've decided to actually pursue this rock picking impulse in a more focused fashion. This coming Friday I want to attend a meeting of our local Gem and mineral society, hopefully I'll meet some nice people there, but in the meantime, I thought I'd say hi here as well! Since I don't really know what to look for in rocks, I tend to just pick up the ones that are either shiny, feel good in my hand, or just plain look weird and unusual enough to catch my attention. We currently still live in an apartment, so I don't have the option of purchasing noisy lapidary equipment, so I've never paid much attention to the rocks that might be gorgeous on the inside but look like utter rubbish on the outside! Hopefully we'll buy a house in the next few months though and then watch out!! Well, here are a few rocks I've picked up, I obviously have no idea what they are, lol, but maybe you'll like them too. Rock with a round depression. Rock with strange 'holes' These guys with the white bands are very common but I liked the shape and position of the bands in this one I have tons more but this is just an intro post, so hi and I'm excited to be learning about rocks.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 12, 2015 9:32:00 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum "Lilacmoth".......Rockhounding gets in your blood and it doesn't go away.....We all start the way you are-picking up anything and everything,that's how you learn... As for your rocks,they are just plain rocks,but if they are cool to you,than by all means collect away-Thumbs up... That 1st rock is kinda cool though... Please feel free to post any photos you want to share...........Again welcome!!! PS: It's a great forum,with very nice people.....
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lilacmoth
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 160
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Post by lilacmoth on Mar 12, 2015 21:30:24 GMT -5
Thanks, Fossilman! Yeah, I honestly know nothing about how to tell rocks apart from, well, more special rocks. I'm one of those people who learn best when someone shows them hands-on, so I'm currently looking for people to go with me and show me what to look for! I'm pretty excited
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craigcis
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2015
Posts: 14
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Post by craigcis on Mar 12, 2015 23:21:14 GMT -5
Since you are moving into the vicinity of the Olympics, be sure to find out where the Olympic poppy jasper can be picked up. It's really nice stuff. The folks in you rock club should know.
Cheers Craig
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lilacmoth
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 160
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Post by lilacmoth on Mar 13, 2015 0:37:37 GMT -5
Olympic poppy .... wait, I have something like that, I think! ...
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lilacmoth
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 160
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Post by lilacmoth on Mar 13, 2015 0:43:48 GMT -5
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Post by snowmom on Mar 13, 2015 7:03:49 GMT -5
welcome to the forum from Michigan, lilacmoth. I joined about a year ago. Like you I had been collecting rocks but knew very little about them. This forum is right where you want to be to learn more about rocks. The members are experts in many fields of rock experience, not just rock tumbling, and the forum culture is one of helpfulness, encouragement, and learning/teaching. I doubt there is any rock related question that can't be answered on this forum. It has been a fantastic experience and I feel as if many of the members are friends. Glad you are with us.
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Post by roy on Mar 13, 2015 9:10:23 GMT -5
welcome !
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Mar 13, 2015 15:23:29 GMT -5
You can do an image search and often get a good idea of what a rock looks like from the name. Found rocks create a bit of a challenge. Post a photo of it in rock identification category and you will get more than enough help. ID help only as good as photo... Welcome to the forum from Georgia. You live in a rock hunter's paradise.
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Post by mohs on Mar 13, 2015 17:23:30 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH
I like the depression in the rock and the puzzle piece almost look like they were deliberate like artifacts
good stuff to gather
Ed
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KathyG
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2015
Posts: 85
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Post by KathyG on Mar 20, 2015 9:20:57 GMT -5
Hi! I recently joined also. I've always loved pretty rocks and also crystals. I'm a SAHM too. I am presently monitoring my first ever rock tumbling batch I started with my kids (ages 11 and 9). I'm also starting to wire wrap some stones too.
My tumbler actually is not that noisy, we have it located in a guest room bathroom. We tried the basement but it wasn't convenient. But an apartment I can see where that might be an issue. Just finding cool rocks is fun anyway! We have a collection of stones from the beach, from our yard, different places. I want to create a rock garden either outside or a small rock display inside..many things to do with cool rocks. Welcome to the forum!
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Post by Peruano on Mar 20, 2015 16:30:07 GMT -5
Appearance, shape, and texture. The big three. Rock hounds must be tactile because when they pick up a rock the sensitive touch of our fingers is a major clue to crystal complexity, size, and polishability. Things that look pretty (especially when wet) may not be that good once dry, but things that feel extremely smooth (maybe only on a tiny break or window), have small or no crystal structure, and will polish to extremes. Besides they are fun to hold, rub, or share with others. And once you start tumbling or cabbing you will know how important that tactile sense is in our attraction to rock, gems, and minerals. Hang out with those rock and gem folks, they will be glad to share their knowledge and benefit from an extra pair of eyes or two on field trips, beach walks, etc. Don't be discouraged when they don't get excited about some of your finds. They just know more about how much to expect if you invest the effort to carry it home, polish it, or saw off a slice. What a wonderful thing to share with children - they may well be looking at the ground for the rest of their lives and hence be amused almost anywhere they are (if there are rocks). Welcome. Tom
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Post by headfullofrocks on Apr 10, 2015 14:12:46 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH. I, like you have just become a member, and have been a rockhounder as long as I can remember. I actually live not too far geographically speaking from you, and have come up with many similar finds myself. The people here are very informative and friendly, and have helped me out numerous times. again welcome, and look forward to your posts. :-)
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 10, 2015 17:05:17 GMT -5
Welcome from SW WA. Will you be going to the Sequim club? They have a lapidary shop for members and do some nice field trips from what I hear.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,584
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Post by Mark K on Apr 10, 2015 17:24:24 GMT -5
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lilacmoth
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 160
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Post by lilacmoth on Apr 12, 2015 3:16:52 GMT -5
Rockoonz, Sequim is about an hour from me, I didn't even know they had a rock club, but I'll check it out! I've been to the Kitsap one that meets in Bremerton, but as far as I know, they don't have equipment for member use, I might be wrong though. The one meeting I went to was a bit confusing and we left early because my kid was tired. I'd love to go on a collecting trip though!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 14, 2015 14:10:01 GMT -5
There really is a lot of rock hounders around(everywhere),,Just ask people if they know any,than pay a visit to the person,get your foot in the door,so to speak!
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mrzulu
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2015
Posts: 245
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Post by mrzulu on May 22, 2015 13:42:40 GMT -5
There are a couple rock shops south of the Ho River on 101 and lots of beaches. Take a pickup truck! LOL!
Walk the high tide line anywhere on Olympic Penn especially near cliffs. All kinds of agates
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