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Post by rockpickerforever on May 31, 2018 13:28:13 GMT -5
Yup, I'd agree actinolite for the green one too. I've picked up similar stuff before.....Mel Thanks for the input, Mel. I think actinolite is the answer. Don't know what I'll do with it, let it collect dust, I imagine.
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 31, 2018 13:33:50 GMT -5
When in the brush, we always have our backs to the sun for our first cup of coffee, prefer to call ourselves lizards rather than buzzards. Regardless of critter, it sure feels good. Lots of nice finds there, moss being a favorite here. We find quite a lot of that waffle iron stuff, I've always figured it forms in a vug in a gravel pile.
Thanks, Larry. I think of myself more as a lizard, too, lol. But I still like the buzzards, they serve a purpose. I have photos of them from many trips I've taken. I'm sure most would wonder why I was taking photos of them.
The waffle iron stuff is cool, have found that in a few locations. I'm sure it formed in a vug somewhere, then the vug eroded away. Without cutting it, I must say I think the lack marks in the depths of the creases are only on the surface.
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 31, 2018 13:57:30 GMT -5
Another great trip report Jean! Thank you for taking me along I agree with the above suggestions, I have some actinolite that is almost that color and resembles the pattern, but of course mine is from the south east. Did you find any Picacho Lace? I had to google it, gorgeous blue! I can see why it would be something to look for. You're welcome, Ann, glad you enjoyed it. Yep, going with actinolite on the green one.
We only found a few smaller pieces of what Bob was looking for. He found the first larger chunk of that several years ago, and named it Picacho Lace, after the location it was found.
These pics from an older post of mrrockpickers. They are osted on PB, don't know why they are still functioning. If they disappear, I'll reload them.
Closeup.
Found a couple smaller chunks of this last Sunday. Haven't gotten photos of everything yet. The patterning make me think of gingham.
I am not aware of another one with that same name. I didn't see anything when I just Googled it. Perhaps you are thinking of Lapis Lace? It is a blue/white onyx from Turkey. Here's a mediocre slab I picked up at a show a while back.
A lot of much prettier ones online, this the only photo of my own. Jean
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Post by aDave on May 31, 2018 14:10:37 GMT -5
Nice, Jean. I knew I recognized the Picacho Rec area name, but I couldn't recall where. After looking at a map, now I now - touring around the area around the Proving Grounds and driving to the Oasis Date Gardens, I must have seen the signs. Well done on your trip. As to the photos on PB, I think that as long as mrrockpicker doesn't sign in to view his account, nothing happens until he does. I seem to recall that type of discussion in the past. Some folks could get to their own photos initially, but shortly after signing in, they were blocked. Could be wrong.
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 31, 2018 14:32:42 GMT -5
Another great trip report! I hope I am not being redundant- I feel like I always say this- but being so far East it's sincerely a pleasure for me to see your report and those of others. I can only dream about walking around, a few hours from home, and picking up such cool rocks. Those filled in holes are intriguing. How old do you think they are? They seem too organized to be from any rockhounds. I can't see them digging holes in a line like that. Thanks, Tela. I love showing off the rocks in my desert backyard. Not to rub it in, but I can't imagine being in an area devoid of cool rocks. If I could wave a magic wand and change that, I'd do it for you, lol.
The holes were drilled either for research purposes - pulling up cores to see the stratum - or , more likely, searching for gold or other minerals. I doubt they were filled in on purpose, just start filling in as soon as the drill is removed. In addition to the holes in lines, there were also a lot of others placed randomly.
There is a very productive ($100 million in gold annually) gold mining operation not so far from there near Glamis, the Mesquite Mine virtualglobetrotting.com/map/cyanide-soak-at-mesquite-gold-mine/view/google/ . The drill holes are only 5.7 miles to the SE from the Mesquite mine. Unlike the kind of small scale mining we (attempt!) to do, the Mesquite mine hauls the dirt up into large piles and leaches them with cyanide. Not too environmentally friendly, in my opinion.
This is a map using ACME Mapper, showing the juxtaposition of the mine and bore holes.
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 31, 2018 14:34:44 GMT -5
Nice, Jean. I knew I recognized the Picacho Rec area name, but I couldn't recall where. After looking at a map, now I now - touring around the area around the Proving Grounds and driving to the Oasis Date Gardens, I must have seen the signs. Well done on your trip. As to the photos on PB, I think that as long as mrrockpicker doesn't sign in to view his account, nothing happens until he does. I seem to recall that type of discussion in the past. Some folks could get to their own photos initially, but shortly after signing in, they were blocked. Could be wrong. Thanks, Dave. Yeah, I don't know what is going on with PB. mrrockpicker does not have his own PB account, only a folder on mine!
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 31, 2018 14:37:36 GMT -5
Pat, I really enjoyed the pictures but especially the panoramic view on the expanded photo list. I believe that the waffle agate was laid down over a softer crystal that dissolved or eroded out and left that reverse depression design. Thanks, Victor, glad you enjoyed it. The desert is just so wide open, you almost need a wide angle lens just to get a fraction of it! Jean
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 31, 2018 14:38:46 GMT -5
Great finds and pictures! Thanks. Had to do something on a three day weekend. Only high temps or wind were going to keep us home.
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 31, 2018 14:40:44 GMT -5
Great, just great. Now I have to change my shirt.
Ha ha, getting a taste of your own medicine now. How many monitors do you think have had to be replaced after RTHlings have viewed your delicious posts?
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 31, 2018 14:44:40 GMT -5
Awesome trip, great finds, thanks for the pictures and the report! Thanks, John. You are most welcome!
You, sir, are my inspiration for doing involved trip reports with photos. You are my mentor, have always had the best ones.
Always nice to be able to bring the great outdoors in for people that aren't able to get out and hound rocks, for whatever reason. Just sharing a small piece of my world. Jean
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 1, 2018 7:58:25 GMT -5
Thanks, rockpickerforever. Great shots of those holes and good info. Seems likely they were testing for gold. Never would have thought that, but they are pretty close to the mine.
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Post by fantastic5 on Jun 1, 2018 9:09:41 GMT -5
Try this Google search. Is that the same stuff, or is Google misleading me? Looks similar.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 1, 2018 9:23:18 GMT -5
Try this Google search. Is that the same stuff, or is Google misleading me? Looks similar.
Thanks, Ann. That looks like Blue Lace Agate from Africa to me. Wonder who stuck the Picacho name on it? Funny that that did not come up when I did a Google search.
Whenever I speak of it, I am referring to the stuff mrrockpicker found and named. There is no blue whatsoever in his stuff. I'll try to get pics of the just found chunks, and a better one of the first large chunk he found.
What's in a name, anyway? Like with animals, so many common or regional names to confuse an issue, only one specific scientific name.
Again, thank you for the link. Jean
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Post by vegasjames on Jun 1, 2018 9:37:55 GMT -5
Yup, I'd agree actinolite for the green one too. I've picked up similar stuff before.....Mel Thanks for the input, Mel. I think actinolite is the answer. Don't know what I'll do with it, let it collect dust, I imagine. Sell it as a specimen. Some specimens can bring some good money like this one:
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Jun 1, 2018 22:20:27 GMT -5
First off. Jean, that is one terrific haul of agates. Wow! Im going to be a naysayer for actinolite. At least provisionally. I have collected actinolite from four locales. All four have the exact same color and crystals. Even in the middle of an iron rich black nephrite field, the actinolite is translucent olive drab with sharp crystals. In wrightwood, the classic actinolite locale, the most prolific place is in a riverbed and even there the crystals are not softly smoothed but still sharp and clean, even in stones that are clearly river tumbled. Im going to suggest a relative amphibole. Tremolite can and does have that color and river smoothed crystals. Sabre52 what say you about tremolite? No matter what. JEAN, nice agates indeed!
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Jun 1, 2018 22:31:19 GMT -5
And this is snake skin agate, similar anyways.
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barclay
has rocks in the head
Lowly Padawan of rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 510
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Post by barclay on Jun 1, 2018 22:37:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the input, Mel. I think actinolite is the answer. Don't know what I'll do with it, let it collect dust, I imagine. Sell it as a specimen. Some specimens can bring some good money like this one: I have a piece about the size of a small cantalope gathering dust in the garage, maybe I should put it on ebay.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Jun 1, 2018 22:41:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the input, Mel. I think actinolite is the answer. Don't know what I'll do with it, let it collect dust, I imagine. Sell it as a specimen. Some specimens can bring some good money like this one:
If that is worth $80 them i have $8000 worth in my rock garden. Lol
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Post by nowyo on Jun 3, 2018 22:18:57 GMT -5
Another great report and pics, Jean. Thanks.
Russ
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