pporky
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2007
Posts: 1,932
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Post by pporky on Jul 23, 2012 6:21:28 GMT -5
I visited a gem club over west australia at the weekend and scored some nice slabs, this first one is a slab of opalite with dendrites and is around 4inches round, they are all around that size. serpentine one of the outback jaspers, west has a few varieties I was told another jasper though I'm not too sure Mookaite probably a prase thats all after getting such nice slabs I did a bit of opal cutting that took the edge off my joy, have a look in cabs if you like. Bill
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jul 23, 2012 7:13:57 GMT -5
Bill. those are some nice slabs but my favorite is the serpentine! That is gorgeous! Does it have a name or location? I'd like to find some.
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Post by paulshiroma on Jul 23, 2012 8:42:57 GMT -5
Awesome pieces, Bill. Looks like you had a great time at the club! Paul
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Post by Tonyterner on Jul 23, 2012 10:22:53 GMT -5
That serpentine is really cool.
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Post by frane on Jul 24, 2012 19:23:23 GMT -5
That is about the neatest pattern in Serpentine I have ever seen! OK, now I suspect your first slab is Amethyst Sage. It has an opal rind but that amethyst with dendrites is really gemmy! You will get some beautiful cabs out of that one! Fran
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bushkraft
having dreams about rocks
Public nuisance Number 1
Member since July 2011
Posts: 65
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Post by bushkraft on Jul 24, 2012 21:03:56 GMT -5
Hi as a long time explorer in WA, I can tell you that with the exception of the Mookaite all that material came from an area just to the North of Kalgoorlie, the unknown jasper is nickeliferous magnesite ( better known as lemon chrysoprase) with brown ironstone and comes from the comet vale/ cane grass area, the opalite is strewn about the hills in the same area although some of the material is closer to an agate than to opalite, the grey core is pure chalcedony, the serpentine lies just below the surface in the nickel bearing rocks throughout the region. Its an interesting area and I have spent many weeks wandering through looking for good quality chrysoprase, (several deposits found but not much of commercial quality) it is also rich in gold laden quartz.
Take care.
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itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Jul 24, 2012 21:52:13 GMT -5
some interesting material, you'll get some nice cabs what hardness do you think the serpentine is?
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Post by helens on Jul 24, 2012 22:25:35 GMT -5
Wow... that's some wild looking serpentine!!! Almost looks like a type of fabric. The first opalite is pretty amazing too:)!! Gorgeous slabs:).
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jul 25, 2012 0:15:08 GMT -5
Love the serpentine too!
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xXxAlisha91xXx
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by xXxAlisha91xXx on Jul 25, 2012 0:43:42 GMT -5
Sweet finds :-)
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jul 25, 2012 5:48:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the info bushkraft!
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Jul 25, 2012 18:11:02 GMT -5
That opalite is really nice.
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Jul 25, 2012 19:39:15 GMT -5
What a neat batch of slabs!
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Post by Pat on Jul 25, 2012 22:19:13 GMT -5
All great finds. I didn't know opalite ever came with dendrites. I collect serpentine and have never seen one like that! But, I have never been to Australia, either. What a wonderful find!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jul 25, 2012 22:45:55 GMT -5
That "prase" looks just like some unknown stuff I've slabbed. Does it have another name? Nice slabs, all.
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