SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Nov 11, 2008 21:50:16 GMT -5
I went down Monday to visit with my friend again...and I'm sure glad it was a rainy day and it gave me an excuse to get up there. It was perfect up there, and I helped him with his yard, chatted with him about rocks, and actually picked me up some killer stuff! I was just able to actually look at it really good this evening, and wash it off a bit. There is some stuff with outrageous colors, and then there's the unknowns. Here's just a few shots of the material that I can't wait to start playing with. ;D First the colors. Both of these are unknowns. A Petrified Puffer Fish. ;D Are these Cycads??? and how common are they?? Another unknown. Huge nodule...any thoughts>? I'm gonna post a part 2 to this thread. Mel...or anyone else...id's please. I am sooooo glad it rained! I needed a boost like this. Steve
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 11, 2008 23:00:28 GMT -5
OK Steve, *L* now this is a challenging lot! #1 Looks like an example of an old Mexican material called Lagos De Fuego "Lake of Fire" Agate or at least that's what it's supposed to look like. I paid a bundle for some once and though it had colors and patterns similar to yours in those bright colors, it was nowhere near as nice as yours and most was messy with fractures. #2 looks a great deal like Horni Halze agate out of the Czech Republic but I've only seen it in pics and I've only seen a bit at shows as most goes to European collectors. More probably, it might be an unusual example of Laguna Lace from Mexico. The bumpy Orange on is from your neck of the territory, the San Rafael Rim country of Utah near Goblin Valley. For some reason, some of those nodules are bumpy and some smooth. Grape Agate or Greasewood Draw Agate are some of the common names for that stuff ( some even say they're a form of coprolite) but I've heard the smooth surfaced ones called Clam Agates. The brown bumpy things are stromatolite balls which often form around twigs and such and come from Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and several other places. Wamsutter, Wyoming near the Turritella site is one location. The last one, well that just a honking big nodule till ya show me what inside *S* I can say, the exterior doesn't ring any bells.....Mel
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,787
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Post by adrian65 on Nov 12, 2008 1:16:01 GMT -5
Steve, outstanding colors on those rocks is all I can say!
Adrian
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Post by deb193redux on Nov 12, 2008 2:05:21 GMT -5
Mel, your encyclopedic grasp continues to amaze me.
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Post by texaswoodie on Nov 12, 2008 7:55:02 GMT -5
Mel is not a real person. He is one of them experimental cyborgs you see on TV all the time. ;D Steve, totally awesome! Ummm, I would think twice about cutting that stuff up. Seems you might have some rare rocks there. I have a safe if you want me to keep it safe for you. Good thing Mel came along first. I would have called that a Cycad. Curt
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Post by beefjello on Nov 12, 2008 8:36:21 GMT -5
Wow Steve! Those first two are outrageous!! Beautiful, what a great score man. Mel you never cease to amaze with your expertise!
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CUL-Ann
spending too much on rocks
rock lover~
Member since September 2008
Posts: 380
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Post by CUL-Ann on Nov 12, 2008 9:33:07 GMT -5
WOW and WOW
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 12, 2008 9:37:28 GMT -5
*LMAO* Not the first time I've heard that comment Curt. At work though I was often unappreciated and tagged with the moniker "Cliff Claven" ala the Cheers TV series. Folks at the AG Dept just didn't appreciate rocks *L*. First time I saw that type of stromatolite I thought "CYCAD whoopee!". Later, after I studied on it a bit I realized the diamond shaped leaf scars characteristic of cycad were missing. I found some cycad rough in my boxes the other day. I'll see if I can get a decent pic to post....Mel
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Nov 12, 2008 9:45:29 GMT -5
lol "petrified puffer fish" .. those are some screaming colors! ... and I agree Mel is like "Master Yoda" of all Rocks....
*smiles*
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Post by Tonyterner on Nov 12, 2008 13:21:15 GMT -5
Wowsers Steve you got some great material there. There are no words to describe Mel's knowledge or rocks. At least none that have been invented yet.
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Post by stonesthatrock on Nov 12, 2008 13:48:38 GMT -5
wowwwwww those are neat and wow to mel
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Nov 12, 2008 23:01:26 GMT -5
THANKS MEL!!! I have probably learned more about rocks from Mel than anyone else here. Half of the time I've never heard of the material before, and I know from reading so many of Mels posts; that he is usually right on with the id's. I looked a bit closer at the #2 stuff...and I think it's the insides of a barite nodule. The outside is pretty much a dead giveaway....but the inside of this one is wild. The Stromatolite is exactly what the one thingies are. I sliced one tonight, and will post pics later. Thanks again for all the comments. Steve
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Post by Michael John on Nov 13, 2008 2:57:03 GMT -5
I think Mel knows all the rocks because owns them all. Sheesh, it seems like his collection is endless!
Steve, I wish my friends would give me prezzies like that!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 13, 2008 12:14:02 GMT -5
Howdy Steve. Hmmm pic#2 or Pic#3 ? For years, I thought those grape agate nodules were agatized barite too. An old timer showed me the difference is on the inside though, not the outside. He showed me an unagatized barite nodule first which was basically a heavy ball or oval of compact bladed barite crystals. Then, he explained, that when fully replaced by agate, the true agatized barite ball, when cut had a fan like structure similar to sagenite because you are slicing the crystal blades lengthwise with the saw. You can even see these fans in some of the rough nodules. Heres a rough broken piece from Utah: See the fan structures. Now the cut end of the same piece: Here's a rough one that looks a bit like grape agate: Notice if you look closely at a chipped are of this nodule, you still have the fans where the barite crystal were replaced by agate: This is even more confusing because the grape agate and agatized barite and even coprolite nodules come from the same area of Utah and I suspect that many of the "Grape Agate " Nodules are simply agatized barite nodules where the crystals were first dissolved and then the nodule was replaced by agate with no crystal structure remaining to be seen. So, in fact, you may be correct and both forms may originate as barite balls. The origin of various agates is so interesting, and often such a mystery! Those sort of questions are what I love best about collecting.....Mel
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Post by Bejewelme on Nov 18, 2008 23:42:59 GMT -5
Steve you have some great things there! Mel-you are wonderful to share all your knowledge with us.
Amber
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