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Post by gaetzchamp on Mar 31, 2006 12:47:44 GMT -5
drsiler-
Welcome aboard. You'll love this place and find lots of good folks here. There are a couple of Utahns here and it's good to see another.
Gaetz
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drsiler
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2006
Posts: 10
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Post by drsiler on Apr 1, 2006 12:43:25 GMT -5
Cut and Pasted from Utah web Site
Utah Septarians are found near Zion National Park in Southern Utah. They are a beautiful rock that started their formation approximately 150 million years ago when the gulf of Mexico reached what is now southern Utah. Volcanic eruptions killed the sea life and they became trapped in the sediment and formed mud balls, the ocean receded and the balls were left to dry and crack. The ocean returned depositing more shell life aboce them.
As this decomposed, calcite from the shells was carried down into the cracks of the mud balls, and calcite crystals formed. A thin wall of calcite was transformed into aragonite dividing the bentonite clay (shale) exteriors from the calcite centers. Because of this dividing wall (septum in Latin) the geodes are called Septarians. Joe Caruso of Joe's rock shop has owned and mined for septarian for over 40 years.
When he passed away in 1991 the mines were then passed on to his children. Joe's rock shop is now ran by Ken and Nikki Caruso. We do allow rockhounds to collect at the site, but we do ask that you contact us first to find out which mines are being worked at the time you plan to visit, also if you would like to have your rocks that you find cut Ken will do it for a small fee, we also will take you to mine site ourselves if you do not have a truck.
We are located approximately 17 miles north of Kanab, Utah on highway 89. You can also call us at 435-648-2737. Rockhounding is a way of life and our family enjoy it very much, my 9 year old daughter Nikki will show you how to cut a rock and get it ready for polishing, and my 7 year old son Joe can tell you where to find the septarians with the best hollows.
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Post by gaetzchamp on Apr 2, 2006 22:42:42 GMT -5
dr-
I've heard about that site near Orderville and would love to visit it someday. Have you ever been there???
Gaetz
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chassroc
Cave Dweller 
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Apr 3, 2006 11:43:55 GMT -5
Dale,
I'm sure that Gaetz has highlighted all the good spots. Around Moab I remember agate to trip over was around Joe Wilsons arch a little south of Moab. If you havent been there take the side trip to Capital Reef NP on the way to Nephi via Goblin Valley. The kids (and childlike adults will love both)
csroc
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