Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 12, 2013 10:25:15 GMT -5
Thanks! That's right, I remember reading something about the pock-marks/pits in agates.
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 12, 2013 0:12:30 GMT -5
2nd part other side. Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 12, 2013 0:11:46 GMT -5
Okay this is a two parter with front and back picture. This was found at Pescadero State Beach, California. This is pre-tumble (with MULTIPLE "coarse" grinds due the pits and cracks) Before I start, is this chalcedony or quartz? Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 12, 2013 0:06:53 GMT -5
Part two different view. Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 12, 2013 0:05:19 GMT -5
Here's a two parter. I found these two pieces at in the Pescadero State Beach area, San Mateo County. California. Can any one tell me what in the world do I have here? One looks like a brain neuron in some sort of black and gray matrix. And the other is "banded". Different view to follow in the "reply". Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 10, 2013 11:54:28 GMT -5
Great find! I didn't know Pescadero had agates like this. I live in the East Bay...isn't Pescadero near Half moon Bay or something?
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 7, 2013 16:28:02 GMT -5
Hello "billg22". Just a hint, some of the locals say that there are beaches surrounding the "Moonstone Beach" area where you may have better luck finding moonstones. These are the only two pebbles I can come up with at moonstone. Once again the locals say that the "moonstone" name is actually a misnomer because it's actually chalcedony instead of feldspar. Pretty no-less though. Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 5, 2013 16:55:13 GMT -5
Part 2 Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 5, 2013 16:54:17 GMT -5
I assume that this is beach jasper (nice areas of translucency) with "?" inclusions (quartz, chalcedony??) How many go-arounds in coarse grind would you folks suggest to get the pits and bumps out? Thanks! Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 5, 2013 16:29:02 GMT -5
Grain in sunlight. Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 5, 2013 14:20:45 GMT -5
This is the "pointed side". Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 5, 2013 14:19:24 GMT -5
Hello all. I found this piece between a nook at the start of Ragged Point, San Luis Obispo County, California. Can someone help me identify this piece and possibly how it was formed. This is a 3 parter due do attachment limitations. Thanks. Henry Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 4, 2013 22:15:51 GMT -5
Okay. After a third attempt, I managed to find this nice sized agate at "Agate Beach" Bolinas, Marin County, California. Mostly this beach is "picked-out" and what's left are small sized oil agates. The polish came out rather nice despite the poor lighting and reflection errors. Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 3, 2013 15:24:49 GMT -5
I feel your pain. South from you, the Central Coast California has some really nice looking stones. But, the pits and cracks are somewhat challenging. After every step I use really hot water and a few tablespoons full of Borax...and wash/decontaminate the stones for 24 hours. Sometimes i'll perform several fresh cycles with the pitted and cracked pieces. Then the last step (strictly subjective), I use marbles as fillers mixed with plastic pellets. Also, I use tin oxide as a polish. You have to be really OCD to make sure you have the correct amount of rocks, balanced with marbles and pellets. And as mentioned previously in the other replies, the water should only "get the feet wet" of the top later of stones. It's hard to tell from the picture, but these stones are almost near a mirror shine. In of them the inclusions leave only average results. (like the "fruitcake" piece in the middle) Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Feb 3, 2013 14:54:22 GMT -5
I love Beach stones, but wow...I needed 3 coarse grinds to "manage" the cracks and pits. Needless-to-say you need several grit decontamination runs. This picture is after the medium grind. Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Jan 28, 2013 16:23:49 GMT -5
Okay...took it to a couple of knowledgeable people. The overwhelming assessment is that it is a piece of partially translucent chert. What an ugly name for a somewhat nice looking rock. ;D
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Jan 26, 2013 2:14:02 GMT -5
Thanks all. Interesting stone. A lot of the stones out there are quite interesting. I nicknamed them "psychedelic jasper" LOL
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Jan 25, 2013 3:48:14 GMT -5
Thanks all. This is the best picture that I can come up with. Can someone tell me, if this is chert, why is it so translucent? Attachments:
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Jan 24, 2013 1:59:13 GMT -5
Hello all. My name is Henry. I'm new to this board and wish to get a possible confirmation of the I.D. of this stone. It was found at San Simeon Creek Beach, San Luis Obispo County. California. They're some stunning jaspers out there. Everything else is pretty much chert. I assume that this fits into the chert category? If so, why is it so translucent? I thought chert was more opaque. Attachments:
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