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Post by vegasjames on Mar 31, 2024 6:39:43 GMT -5
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Mar 31, 2024 6:55:39 GMT -5
Very cool!
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 31, 2024 8:22:17 GMT -5
X2 Very cool!
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Post by chris1956 on Mar 31, 2024 8:58:51 GMT -5
Looks interesting. Hoping you are going to polish so we can see what it looks like then.
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 31, 2024 17:09:52 GMT -5
Looks interesting. Hoping you are going to polish so we can see what it looks like then. I cut the smaller pieces in to small slabs. Will get some photos shortly. |
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 31, 2024 17:46:22 GMT -5
Slabs  |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 3, 2024 22:36:39 GMT -5
Wow! I instantly thought there was a definite similarity to the look of Maligano Jasper in those rough pieces!
However...after seeing those cut, all I can think is "cosmic" picture stone!!
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Apr 4, 2024 1:16:45 GMT -5
Looks almost like it's moldy! Very neat, thank you for sharing. Did you collect it yourself, vegasjames ? |
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 4, 2024 6:48:03 GMT -5
Looks almost like it's moldy! Very neat, thank you for sharing. Did you collect it yourself, vegasjames ? Yes. there are a lot of colorful and unusual chalcedonies here in Southern Nevada several hours from Las Vegas.
Lots of opal in the area as well, which is the precursor for chalcedony. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 4, 2024 9:57:30 GMT -5
Looks almost like it's moldy! Very neat, thank you for sharing. Did you collect it yourself, vegasjames ? Yes. there are a lot of colorful and unusual chalcedonies here in Southern Nevada several hours from Las Vegas.
Lots of opal in the area as well, which is the precursor for chalcedony. Is finding opal a "tell" for you for finding the chalcedony? |
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Post by victor1941 on Apr 4, 2024 15:07:00 GMT -5
Vegasjames, the yellow and purple are definitely eye catching! This material looks like the perfect size for cabs.
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 4, 2024 19:18:10 GMT -5
Yes. there are a lot of colorful and unusual chalcedonies here in Southern Nevada several hours from Las Vegas.
Lots of opal in the area as well, which is the precursor for chalcedony. Is finding opal a "tell" for you for finding the chalcedony? No, chalcedonies are way more common than the opals as most the collecting is on the surface where the opals have had plenty of time to dehydrate and crystallize in to chalcedonies.
Most the opal I find is stuff that got washed out of the ground from floods and so has not been exposed for a long time. Although, if there is opal, chalcedony is generally also nearby.
Although, I would look at it the other way with the presence of chalcedony being a good indicator for possible opal especially if the area has springs or a high water table, either of which can slow the conversion of opal to chalcedony. For example, there is a spot close to here where chalcedony is pretty common as are springs. I believe it is highly likely that the tufa deposits in the area will contain opal, especially since the area is also associated with sandstone that can be a silica source for opals. It would be really hard digging though to find out. I have found some low grade fire agate, which being a chalcedony was once opal, in one of the tufa deposits on the far side of the mountain. So, that wold be a great place to dig, but there is no road to the spot and it is a bit of a hike to be carrying digging tools, so I have followed the vein in yet.
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 4, 2024 19:18:46 GMT -5
Vegasjames, the yellow and purple are definitely eye catching! This material looks like the perfect size for cabs. Yes, I plan to cab the smaller pieces soon. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 4, 2024 19:21:31 GMT -5
Is finding opal a "tell" for you for finding the chalcedony? No, chalcedonies are way more common than the opals as most the collecting is on the surface where the opals have had plenty of time to dehydrate and crystallize in to chalcedonies.
Most the opal I find is stuff that got washed out of the ground from floods and so has not been exposed for a long time. Although, if there is opal, chalcedony is generally also nearby.
Although, I would look at it the other way with the presence of chalcedony being a good indicator for possible opal especially if the area has springs or a high water table, either of which can slow the conversion of opal to chalcedony. For example, there is a spot close to here where chalcedony is pretty common as are springs. I believe it is highly likely that the tufa deposits in the area will contain opal, especially since the area is also associated with sandstone that can be a silica source for opals. It would be really hard digging though to find out. I have found some low grade fire agate, which being a chalcedony was once opal, in one of the tufa deposits on the far side of the mountain. So, that wold be a great place to dig, but there is no road to the spot and it is a bit of a hike to be carrying digging tools, so I have followed the vein in yet.
OK, makes sense. Thanks! |
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Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
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Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
