fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 20, 2015 15:52:08 GMT -5
Captbob thanks for the reply. Yes I have considered that. I am pretty sure that the savings on shipping will not outweigh my travel expenses. I am buying only the rock that I can cut and use. I figure ten good pounds of any one type rough is probably about a lifetimes supply for me. I think I need to be able to say that the quality I will get by attending Quartzsite will pay off in the long run. Or that the experience is a must do (bucket list) type thing. Or that I need to network with kindred souls. Rod
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 20, 2015 13:57:26 GMT -5
I have looked over the board to see what has been written about the big show at Quartzsite and I am interested in going there. However being I am in South Dakota, I expect the trip would be a little expensive considering the cost of gas and lodging. However I also know that the best way to buy good rough is to look at it in the round and make the buying decision right there. Do those of you that go to Quartzsite find the quality of rough you buy at the show off sets the travel cost versus just ordering some unseen over the internet?
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 18, 2015 12:19:53 GMT -5
There are a lot of people that think there is a connection between the teepee canyon agates and the fairburns. They are very similar. I don't really know if they are the same or not. I just like looking for pretty rocks. Fairburns are rare and every one is a little treasure. The prairie agates are also very pretty and should not be overlooked when in the Dakotas.
Rod
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 21:21:02 GMT -5
Wow Don the Fairburns in the second picture are incredible. I have never found a Fairburn. I am jealous.
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 19:11:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the compliment rockjunquie. The whole thing was a series of experiments (trial and error) to see what worked.
Rod
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 17:34:15 GMT -5
Don
I live on an old farm west of Yankton about 30 miles. Can't afford nothing fancy on my retirement pay. I can't say that I have seen any agate in the east river. I heard of a piece of lake superior agate found in the far NE of the state but that may have been just a rumor. Most of what I have found is just granite that has had the hell pounded out of it. There is a lot of gravel around here and I figure with a little looking I might find some interesting stuff. To tell the truth I have not looked that hard around here and I am trying to be optimistic so I can get out when the weather breaks.
Rod
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 13:58:50 GMT -5
Rob
No snobs here. Very few in SD have anything to be snobbish about and I sure don't. Yes there is a lot here to see especially if you get off the beaten path. I was of the opinion that there were no rocks in the eastern part of the state worth looking at until I picked up a nice piece of red granite from a rock pile in the corner of a cleared field. Now I am like a one eyed dog in a meat market. There are a number of terminal moraines around here and they are full of rocks. Not the fancy types you might see for sale at Quartzite but interesting ones that you could make into beautiful decoration with a little imagination.
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 12:15:42 GMT -5
One more picture and then I will quit showing off. This is a picture of a display case at my store that shows some of my work. The cabs, slabs and rough are all items I have worked on and use for demonstrations.
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 12:10:15 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from California. Eager to see those photos! Ok I am trying again. This is a picture of a aqua neueva agate that I slabbed, cut, polished and mounted. The entire necklace was handmade including the chain and clasp.
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 9:30:10 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. Would like to see some pics of your work. Thanks for the welcome. I have spent the last hour trying to get a picture to load but my computer will not do it no matter how hard I hit the button. Will try for plan B shortly. Rod
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 9:28:04 GMT -5
I'm in Michigan, so you don't want to meet or talk with me, but welcome to the forum anyhow! Well i didn't mean it that way. One post and already in trouble!! Ha... I know that Mi has lots of interesting rocks so sure I will talk to you or anyone else for that matter.
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 9:24:23 GMT -5
Welcome aboard Fireforged. You've just met another South Dakota rockhound. I'm up in Aberdeen. Got saws from 16" down to a little 3". Genie for grinding & polishing along with several other arbors. 10" & 15" flat laps. A bunch of odds & ends equipment.(I like to play with & restore vintage lapidary equipment). Bunches of rocks, A mineral collection & fossils. Got bored with tumbling & gave my tumblers to a friend. I'm also retired. As for keeping young, I think I'm starting to fossilize. Don Don It sounds to me as if we have a few things in common. I am a retire vet also. I don't know about being a fossil, in my mind I am just 18 and my body just refuses to comply. May be I am turning into a fossil. Getting silicated so to speak. Rod
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 215
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Post by fireforged on Dec 16, 2015 21:43:21 GMT -5
I have been reading the forum for a while and since I have enjoyed the discussions thought I would jump in and contribute my two cents. I enjoy every part of the rockhounding experience from the finding to the cutting and polishing and mounting in jewelry. I am interested in meeting and talking with other rockhounds that live in South Dakota and the surrounding states. I have a 12 in slab saw, a 4 in trim saw, a tumbler, and a self made arrangement to polish cabs. I also have a good starting selection of rocks having acquired my dad's collection and another thousand pounds of various agates and jaspers from estates and my own efforts. I have not been overrun by rocks yet but have enough to keep me slabbing steadily for the next two years or so. I am retired and use this hobby to keep myself young.
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