|
Post by cpdad on Mar 5, 2006 21:40:12 GMT -5
hey all...i have been researching georgia agate..just to see what i could find out...and read about the stoney bluff site..come to find out i have been using that place for years for fishing..its not far from us at all..no reason cp and myself cant load up the boat or jet ski..fish or play on the jet ski..and hunt rock...but i havent a clue what to look for..throw some suggestions..and what to look fors my way please.
|
|
greenmann
spending too much on rocks
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_teal.png)
Member since August 2005
Posts: 325
|
Post by greenmann on Mar 5, 2006 21:57:58 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by xenaswolf on Mar 5, 2006 21:59:32 GMT -5
I'd say pick up whatever catches your eye. The best part is being out there enjoying your time with your kid and nature ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
|
|
|
Post by cpdad on Mar 5, 2006 22:02:54 GMT -5
i have directions to the place they dig it..they say a lot is just laying there...but i dont have a clue to look where to dig..or what to look for to find it..all i know is im at that place a lot during the summer.
|
|
|
Post by cpdad on Mar 5, 2006 22:03:26 GMT -5
so true xena
|
|
|
Post by Cher on Mar 5, 2006 22:04:01 GMT -5
Yup, that's the best way to have collect rocks, pick up what catches your eye. You can also take a knife along so you can test them for hardness while your collecting. If a knife can scratch the rock, it's a leaverite (leave 'er right there). Agates are generally hard, shiney or glossy looking especially when wet and have some transparency. Have a good time.
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Mar 5, 2006 22:09:02 GMT -5
Bring a spray bottle with you and squirt the rocks. It's easier to see what they look like.
Ed
|
|
|
Post by cpdad on Mar 5, 2006 22:14:05 GMT -5
how would we look for what might be buried..just poke around..or rake the dirt back.
|
|
rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
|
Post by rallyrocks on Mar 6, 2006 10:51:13 GMT -5
At the Nevada agate sites that I've hounded around, you can usually see good stuff just laying on the ground, the hard part is being disciplined enough to leave the lesser pieces and only collect the best. It might be different in Georgia since there is bound to be a lot more foliage and accordingly more organic soil, but if you don't find attractive pieces on the surface, I'd expect a little raking probably would turn up some goodies.
At least it is a place you can visit repeatedly, so if the first trip isn't productive enough, you'll have better ideas for next time, but if its anything like the Nevada agate fields, you'll have more rocks than you know what to do with after the first expedition.
|
|
greenmann
spending too much on rocks
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_teal.png)
Member since August 2005
Posts: 325
|
Post by greenmann on Mar 6, 2006 11:08:40 GMT -5
oh, and if its that close to the river, don't forget to look in the river istelf for stuff too. Gravel bars and rocky areas in the river often collect nice hunks of jasper and quartz here. I would guess that is true there as well. These will be rounded by the river too, so the tumbling process is already started. If a river tumbled rock already looks like it is trying to take on a sheen, then you can pretty much know it should tumble well. I don't find agate often on the rivers close by here, but we do get jasper, quartz, granite, basalt and a bunch of I-dunno-ites ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) Half the fun is finding out which of these will and won't tumble, really. As for what is buried, it may sound obvious, but well I would look for spots where others have been digging and poke around those holes. If the site is that well known, there are bound to be signs of someone else digging for the good stuff. You may even find someone out there digging ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) Of cours,e if there is, introduce yourself! Often these are the best people to talk to, since they probably know other sites in the area you can find good stuff at too ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png)
|
|
|
Post by rockds on Mar 6, 2006 17:04:29 GMT -5
being that this is your first trip, pic up whatever looks good to you, you can sort it out later when you get back and we here will help you to id any you don't know. Agate, for the most part will have a glassy like surface when wet or polished (if broken) and if whole usually has a creater like surface. If you find any whole pieces, whack one open with a hammer to see the inside - stefan will tell you to make sure you use a rock hammer and wear safety goggles.
robert
|
|
|
Post by cpdad on Mar 6, 2006 17:29:52 GMT -5
thanks for all of the advice everyone...i plan on riding down there next weekend..ill have to find a rock hammer somewhere...safety glasses stay with us..cp knows if he decides he wants to shoot his shotgun..and he doesnt have them he cant shoot...i called my ex boss last night because i remembered he was big into rocks at 1 time... to see if he had any old tumblers that needed fixing that he didnt need..he didnt of course..but he asked us to join him at a mineral and gem show here in town this weekend..that a couple of clubs were having...and said he would introduce us to some folks he knew there...but anyway.. if i can find some good rock...ill be more than happy to share it with who ever i can..we dont need much..thanks everyone.
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Mar 7, 2006 10:08:16 GMT -5
Use a rock hammer and make sure to wear safty glasses! Ahh the joys of self collecting!!!! Well first and foremost is to have fun! Collect what looks to be good (In outcrops I look for sharper edged stuff- cause the harder material tends to weather slower- so the sharper the edges= the harder it should be (unless it is freshley exposed) Look for color- and wet things down- One little trick is to spray a rock with water- If the rock acts like a sponge and soaks the water in- Leaverite- if the water just sits on the surface- you got a winner- and if the water beads up (like rain on a freshly waxed car) Jump for joy- cause that is almost always a winner!! and will take an outstanding shine!
|
|
|
Post by koolaid on Mar 9, 2006 22:59:09 GMT -5
On Stoney Bluff Landing Road stop where it crosses over River road by the trash dumpster. The best color is in the road bed going back out toward the paved highway toward Girrard Ga. Also you may want to go down river Road about a half mile and hunt. Hope this helps. This is what the place looks like. www.gamineral.org/girard-rr.htmDennis
|
|
|
Post by cpdad on Mar 10, 2006 18:01:06 GMT -5
koolaid...all i can is thank you...i thought about asking you for some advice...but i didnt feel that would be the right thing to do..but you show up.. and try and help us find some goodies...this seems to be said a lot...but this is truly a wonderful group of people..thanks again koolaid.
|
|