Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Jan 8, 2023 14:58:10 GMT -5
Recently I came across a beautiful chunk of purple rock, after doing some research, I came to find out it is Amethyst Sage. I got it cut into a couple of slabs and it is absolutely beautiful. And from all the searching I have been doing lately it must be of very good quality, Rich purple with lots of black dendrites and some orange spots throughout. I love it so much, I have declared it my favorite. I find myself searching for it a lot online and haven’t had a lot of luck. I have come across some specimens on places like Etsy and eBay but most of them aren’t very good quality. I know it is mined in the southwest, I was hoping I could find it easier.
Just reaching out in hopes of some possible sources. Any input appreciated!
Tracie
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 8, 2023 16:03:25 GMT -5
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 8, 2023 16:19:57 GMT -5
He's usually the the Pow-Wow in Quartzsite and is probably heading to Tuscon after that.
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Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Jan 8, 2023 17:04:58 GMT -5
Yeah, through my research I found out West Coast Mining digs the Amethyst sage, was pretty bummed when I saw all his sites are down.
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,989
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Post by Tommy on Jan 8, 2023 17:05:14 GMT -5
And from all the searching I have been doing lately it must be of very good quality, Rich purple with lots of black dendrites and some orange spots throughout.Tracie Hi Tracie, in my experience the original quality AS with deep purples, well pronounced black "sage", creamy beiges and orange has become VERY difficult to impossible to find. In recent years the material that has been mined is more "white" and doesn't have the same contrasting and warm colors. I believe I read that the material currently on the market is from a "new" dig. I believe catmandewe and roy know the miner, maybe they can confirm or deny what I just said about the newness of the dig. Here are some cabs from what I would consider "old stock/original dig location" Amethyst Sage agate. All of these cabs (edit: with exception of solid purple triangular one) came from a large boulder I found in 2015, hidden away in an old rock shop yard in northern CA.          |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 8, 2023 17:14:16 GMT -5
And from all the searching I have been doing lately it must be of very good quality, Rich purple with lots of black dendrites and some orange spots throughout.Tracie Hi Tracie, in my experience the original quality AS with deep purples, well pronounced black "sage", creamy beiges and orange has become VERY difficult to impossible to find. In recent years the material that has been mined is more "white" and doesn't have the same contrasting and warm colors. I believe I read that the material currently on the market is from a "new" dig. I believe catmandewe and roy know the miner, maybe they can confirm or deny what I just said about the newness of the dig. Here are some cabs from what I would consider "old stock/original dig location" Amethyst Sage agate. All of these cabs (edit: with exception of solid purple triangular one) came from a large boulder I found in 2015, hidden away in an old rock shop yard in northern CA. Great examples of the original dig. I'm tempted to post mine, too. I haven't seen any of the good stuff in a long time. I love the purple gel and dendrites. |
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,989
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Post by Tommy on Jan 8, 2023 17:19:23 GMT -5
Great examples of the original dig. I'm tempted to post mine, too. I haven't seen any of the good stuff in a long time. I love the purple gel and dendrites. Do it! I think I might have even sent you a slab or two of mine back in the day. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 8, 2023 17:37:20 GMT -5
Tommy I'm not sure if you did, but I got a bunch from WestCoastGems. I was paying 8-23 dollars for big slabs! Wish I could get that again! Here's a couple I could find real quick. I couldn't find my favorite.  |
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AzRockGeek
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2016
Posts: 703
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Post by AzRockGeek on Jan 8, 2023 17:52:05 GMT -5
When I was out in Quartzite a few weeks ago, there is young couple who works for the WCM selling at the QIA, they mentioned last year that they are starting to mine it again. Last year after searching 4 or 5 55gal drums I was able to find 3 high grade pieces, I was hoping to get a few more this year, they said they have so many mines to work, the AS was not one of them.  I did manage to find one good piece after searching two 55 gal drums and a pallet full, the high grade is hard to find. If you buy online, get good pic's so will not be disappointed. Here is the piece I got a few weeks ago.  |
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,989
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Post by Tommy on Jan 8, 2023 18:46:36 GMT -5
When I was out in Quartzite a few weeks ago, there is young couple who works for the WCM selling at the QIA, they mentioned last year that they are starting to mine it again. Last year after searching 4 or 5 55gal drums I was able to find 3 high grade pieces, I was hoping to get a few more this year, they said they have so many mines to work, the AS was not one of them. [img src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" class="smile" alt=" "] I did manage to find one good piece after searching two 55 gal drums and a pallet full, the high grade is hard to find. If you buy online, get good pic's so will not be disappointed. Here is the piece I got a few weeks ago. Thats a gorgeous piece Tim! So is the 'new dig' theory debunked and it's just hard to find the high grade material? |
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Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Jan 10, 2023 2:33:46 GMT -5
Tommy those are beautiful cabs! And yes, the chunk I got was very similar to that, heavy on the purple with a little less orange. That sounds about right, most of the slabs I am coming across are more white with very little pale purple, quite disappointing after coming across the good stuff. @azrockgeek wow, that is a beautiful piece, glad to see it. Makes me wish I lived out that way, I am from Michigan.
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Post by catmandewe on Jan 10, 2023 23:04:35 GMT -5
Dale Huett (West Coast Mining) has sold all of his mines to a company out of Portland, they have quite a few people working with them and do lots of online sales.
I picked up a couple tons the last time Dale was digging at the Amethyst sage dig, plus I have a couple tons of old stock that I picked up in Hermiston from a guy who used to work with Dale, it is mostly in huge boulders that will require breaking down, one of them is over 1000 lbs. The big chunks usually have some pretty good stuff inside, the stuff I picked up at the last dig may or may not have good stuff inside, its kind of a crap shoot.
Tony
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Tracie
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 51
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Post by Tracie on Jan 13, 2023 2:01:37 GMT -5
catmandewe Not sure if this is against forum rules, but how could I arrange to maybe get some from you? I get that it’s like rolling dice, but maybe some good possibilities… Should I contact you on your website? Tracie
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Post by catmandewe on Jan 15, 2023 8:36:49 GMT -5
catmandewe Not sure if this is against forum rules, but how could I arrange to maybe get some from you? I get that it’s like rolling dice, but maybe some good possibilities… Should I contact you on your website? Tracie I sent you a PM |
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Post by roy on Jan 20, 2023 16:37:31 GMT -5
And from all the searching I have been doing lately it must be of very good quality, Rich purple with lots of black dendrites and some orange spots throughout.Tracie Hi Tracie, in my experience the original quality AS with deep purples, well pronounced black "sage", creamy beiges and orange has become VERY difficult to impossible to find. In recent years the material that has been mined is more "white" and doesn't have the same contrasting and warm colors. I believe I read that the material currently on the market is from a "new" dig. I believe catmandewe and roy know the miner, maybe they can confirm or deny what I just said about the newness of the dig. Here are some cabs from what I would consider "old stock/original dig location" Amethyst Sage agate. All of these cabs (edit: with exception of solid purple triangular one) came from a large boulder I found in 2015, hidden away in an old rock shop yard in northern CA. i have a 300-400 pound boulder that came from the first dig of the material it shows the purple and orange which in my opinion is the best and the highest grade i have thought about breaking it apart to cut up just have not got around to it |
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Post by roy on Jan 20, 2023 16:39:40 GMT -5
i have a 300-400 pound boulder that came from the first dig of the material it shows the purple and orange which in my opinion is the best and the highest grade i have thought about breaking it apart to cut up just have not got around to it the other 40 ton was bought by tony so iam sure he has some of the high grade somewere |
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bluejaysrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2023
Posts: 1
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Post by bluejaysrocks on May 19, 2023 13:11:17 GMT -5
They have piles of amethyst sage rough for sale at the Polka Dot Agate mine in Madras, Oregon. You can go dig thundereggs at this mine as well as purchase many different kinds of rough from West Coast Mining.
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Post by stardiamond on May 21, 2023 17:58:43 GMT -5
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Post by stardiamond on May 21, 2023 20:21:29 GMT -5
I bought 3 slabs from the seller since he charges $15.95 for shipping. I can use all three but you can buy one if interested.  |
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Post by stardiamond on May 22, 2023 13:29:37 GMT -5
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