|
Post by tanyafrench on Sept 24, 2010 10:26:20 GMT -5
I was just looking at the pictures in "Am AgtJasp Project: Keokuk and Lake States" and it shows Agate from Vermilion County , Illinois and then later Jasper from Vermilion County , Illinois. They both looked the same to me. I am fairly new to rockhounding and would love to really know the difference. I have some beautiful stones I have bought and would love to be able to tell which is which. Many thanks, Tanya
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
|
Post by Sabre52 on Sept 24, 2010 16:21:19 GMT -5
This may be an oversimplification of this whole common name thing but basically, agate is microcrystalline quartz that is more or less translucent and often the term agate is used only for banded varieties. Jasper is amorphous sort of fibrous in structure quartz or chalcedony that is rendered more or less opaque by inclusions that lend it it's various colors and patterns. The whole definition thing is further complicated by all the various intergrades often called jasp-agate or jasper agate which might include lots of mossy type agates as well as partially agatized jasper like stone canyon which can have translucent areas combined with opaque areas. In addition, lots of what we call agate and jasper that are associated with marine deposits are actually chert or flint. In actuality, I think Stone Canyon Jasper and most the California Poppy Jasper types come from marine deposits and are actually chert. The again chert is sometimes used as a common term for poor quality jasper or flint. It's pretty confusing because of all the common and trade names in use and in the old threads someplace there's a huge long discussion we once had on the topic *L*.....Mel
|
|
|
Post by tanyafrench on Sept 24, 2010 21:44:00 GMT -5
Thanks Mel, I'm not sure but I think you helped clarify and added more confusion at the same time. When I get a box of tumbling mix it becomes hard to put a name to the stones in the box. I guess I am learning some but it is still a mystery.
Appreciate You Help, Tanya
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Sept 24, 2010 22:09:52 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by tanyafrench on Sept 25, 2010 14:50:18 GMT -5
Thanks Don, I have bookmarked that page so I can refer to it. The big guess will be what state the stone comes from. Buying like I do they are from all over, but this will be a starting point. I do know where I got them from but even then it's a guess. I will enjoy looking at the different kinds of agate. I am always delighted with the designs and colors.
Thanks, Tanya
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Sept 25, 2010 15:17:22 GMT -5
Tanya, that site lists agates from all over the world. I've spent several evenings exploring it, and have only scratched the surface.
Don
|
|
|
Post by tandl on Sept 27, 2010 11:51:58 GMT -5
Tanya , As you know , those are our entries to the jasper agate catalog . I destinguish jasper and agate by transluscency as Mel has said . I don`t go by pattern , lines , or whatever , only by transluscency . Even though , In my opinion agate , jasper , flint , chert are the same rock .
|
|
|
Post by tanyafrench on Sept 27, 2010 13:31:03 GMT -5
Okay Ted, that does clarify things a great deal. Thanks, Tanya
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
|
Post by Fossilman on Mar 18, 2011 13:24:15 GMT -5
I collect lots of agate,jasper I leave it lay(dislike it)............Get around it enough you will learn the difference from the two..........Good luck....
|
|
|
Post by tanyafrench on Mar 18, 2011 15:29:38 GMT -5
Course the problem is that I am in Ohio and there really aren't many agates or jaspers in this area. Those I am around are the ones I get from others out west. I am getting better though so I am now able to tell people what stone they are getting when they buy a pendant from me. That is all from paying attention to this site and learning from those in the know. Many thanks to all of you. Fossilman you are not in what I have heard referred to as rock heaven. If you find some colorful ones you don't want just let me know. Tanya
|
|
|
Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Mar 18, 2011 16:18:55 GMT -5
Jasper is a sedimentation. Like sea floor, lakes, canyons, Glacial formation that leave sediment, that are later covered over my mud side. our ash flows so on. Jasper - agatized mud. then the sard agate formations. muddy agate in Vug, Gas pockets, seams in rotten Basalt strata - where they form together. a lot of the Agate beds in south Lebanon Oregon have jasper stuck to the Geodes. or cavity's of jasper ( Mud ) filling in the Geodes void.
Like thunder eggs are sedimentation forms of agate growing in a aquifer below the water table. to fill in the gas pocket with silica. or water & opal ( opalite ) Digging the Holley Blue agate. it was formed in around rotten pillow basalt, which is formed below the water table. Most often in salt water.
Biggs jasper was below the water table, an it to formed from impurity's in solution. reason for the mineralization stains in the Jasper. ( Mud )....
Simple terms for agate formations, and jasper, Sard agate, agate geodes, Jasper / agate mix.
2nd thought, i had the petrified wood in Oregon West of the cascades, two types Jasper - agatized wood, an agatized wood from high silica content. difference - translucency, and MOH-scale hardness. and color and how it chips from a strike of a hammer.
Bog petrified wood, Jasper limb mix agatized.
People whom write the (new) books are out to sale. not to keep it simple, and teach.
I have to read some of the books with a Geology filter, to make since of their writing.
Jack
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Mar 21, 2011 9:24:56 GMT -5
The simple answer is there is no simple answer. So much of the confusion stems from the use of tradenames, location names, and marketing misdirections. Take Ocean Jasper for example. When first discovered it was given the name Jasper due to the orbicular nature on the rock. After mining and study it was found to actually be an agate. The tradename Ocean Jasper had already been copyrighted so they stuck with with it. I think Mel's definition pretty much sums it up in the easiest of terms. Often times there is no clearcut "winner" for the corect form of the rock (since it can't even truely be agreed upon what is an agate, jasper, flint, chert, chalcedony)
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Mar 21, 2011 9:45:13 GMT -5
Tanya, don't give up on finding nice material in Ohio. The thing that sparked my interest in rocks was a big, beautiful piece of pet wood that I found near a favorite fishing hole south east of Cleveland. It was every bit as colorful as the Arizona rainbow wood.
|
|
|
Post by tanyafrench on Mar 21, 2011 15:54:00 GMT -5
Well, Cleveland is 220 miles on way from here but I have driven 150 miles one way to get Flint Ridge Flint. I am about ready to head out west again for some rock hunting. Perhaps this summer. Then I can really check out the difference. I have learned a lot since this thread started mostly from the RTH and just studying the rocks I have received from others. It's great when people do like Don, jakesrocks, and put a sticker with the name of the rock for all us novices. Anyway I am getting pretty good at some identification. Thanks so much for all the help during the last year. That's about how long I have been a member here and I intend to stay a member for a long, long, long time. You're all a blessing. Tanya
|
|