Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 6, 2013 11:58:18 GMT -5
Howdy folks, Just emptied out my UV-10. Just a dull old mixed batch but here are a few pics of some of the stuff. Excuse my lousy pics. Bright sun outside so the shine don't show well. Thanks for lookin....Mel Royal Purple Aztec Lace. Much more purple than the pic shows, Sun washed out color in the pic. Mixed banded agate, mostly Bots. Some from Lowell and some of my own. Small turritella from John one of our members. Thinking Lowell might like these for the Ventura club sand sifting game. A bit opf Mozarkite from another John ( Bueltonrocks). This stuff is a fun tumble. And finally, some Prairie Agate and a large Bahia
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 6, 2013 12:19:06 GMT -5
thats all nice stuff and usually the bahia would be my favorite but I really like those bots. Was your turritela a pain to tumble? All of mine seemed like the matrix kept getting eaten up faster than the agatized shells so they always felt bumpy/rough, they still looked good but not the nice smooth polished rock feel.
I had to look at the calendar when your title said a few for 2/10?
Chuck
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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 Feb 6, 2013 12:42:01 GMT -5
*L* Yeah, I had a note on my desk reminding me of a trail ride I have on the tenth so somehow that stuck in my ancient brain when I was typing.
The turritella is pretty problematic. Only way to get real smooth stones is to break out only material from the center of a thicker vein. Those areas are usually real solid. These little external pieces take a good polish but do come out lumpy. I kind of like them despite their faults though, and they seem popular with the kids. I've got some loose shells from John that will go in the vibe in a bit and those come out really neat.....Mel
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Feb 6, 2013 19:39:45 GMT -5
Cool variety. I haven't noticed Royal Purple Aztec Lace in a tumble before.
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Feb 6, 2013 22:59:12 GMT -5
Hey Mel,
Everything looks great!
I'm glad you found some use for the material I sent over. I have been putting together another box for you for sometime next month. I'm expecting to receive another influx of that 'endcut' material at our show in March. I'll also drop in more of those A/Tears if you need them.
Huge thanks again for the box you sent in return - I'm am utterly fascinated and absorbed by the shrinkwood - thanks for feeding my interest. I was set to do some polishing on a couple pieces you sent for my display case yesterday but one of my pumps on my Titan went down with a disconcerting screech. I need to get to Diamond Pacific for a look-see, fix and/or replacement. I hate admitting I'm not mechanically apt enough to take it apart myself.
Hope your spring comes soon.
Lowell
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Feb 7, 2013 9:29:41 GMT -5
Always got to love the bots!
snuffy
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Feb 7, 2013 10:53:34 GMT -5
The turritella looks cool , i have some too from a memeber. I hope by the summer to start it.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Feb 8, 2013 21:59:48 GMT -5
What is prairie agate Mel?A fellow in S Dakota called fortification stuff he found out in the field prairie agate.I did not know if that was generic name or a specific type.I think that stuff is real attractive.The light color is real nice.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Feb 9, 2013 0:53:02 GMT -5
If it's true fortification, then it's Teepee Canyon or Fairburn Agate. The stuff called Prairie Agate, the ones surrounding the big Bahia Agate in the last picture, are chert. Confused yet? I'll let Mel explain it.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Feb 9, 2013 7:49:46 GMT -5
Love the Bots, awesome batch
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Feb 9, 2013 15:19:00 GMT -5
James, Here's a thread I'm using to put together the Agate Index for northern states. You'll see Mel's shots of Prairie plus Roger's shots of the truly amazing agates he finds in the Black Hills, including a few pictures of Fairburns. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=rocksidlib&action=display&thread=35957Don also has a continuing thread where he posts his Fairburn collection here: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=specphoto&action=display&thread=53139Now (and people correct me if I'm wrong)... Both are found in relatively the same place - but Fairburns apparently originated in the Black Hills and have tumbled naturally through erosion as they were washed away from their sources. They tend to have tighter banding and often will still be attached to some form of their matrix. Many are found in a section of a specific set of gravel and eroded material coming from the black hills called the Chadron Formation. Prairie agates seem to be larger specimens, mostly without matrix, that have banding but not in the same tight formations. I am not sure where Prairie Agates are said to have originated. They all seem to be weathered pretty well. There is also Black Hills agate that many people consider to be the source of Fairburns, but the agates are found where they were formed rather than having been washed away from the black hills. Versions of Black Hills agate can be found near Teepee Canyon, S&G Canyon, and several other places. I hope this is some help (and not too far from the truth...) I used Roger Clark's book _Fairburn Agate: Gem of South Dakota_ to aid my memory. Lowell
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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 Feb 9, 2013 17:17:10 GMT -5
Yeah, I can't add a lot to what Lowell has said. Prairie agates are not true fortification type agates. They are more of a fancy banded chert nodule and do seem more stream worn than the true fortification types like Fairburns. I don't know if that means they are older or have moved further from their origin but I'd think maybe so. I believe both are from sedimentary formations. Banding in prairies seems more diffuse and less well defined, more often just zig zag banding, waves, spots cloudy formations etc. Some even show nice pigeon blood spots or orbs. I personally like them a lot as some are truly spectacular and often very hard and solid too. Of course, having seen all Roger's posts, I've got to say not much beats the magnificent and extraordinarily colorful fortifications in his Black Hills, Tee Pees and Fairburn agates....Mel
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Feb 9, 2013 17:56:55 GMT -5
Mel,Lowell Last year my wife went to Rapid City for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Nationals.She wanted to rock hunt out there.A fellow named Bob lives there and advertised on the internet he will take you rock hunting if you are ever in Rapid City.She went w/him and came back w/those yellowish prairie agates.Didn't find anyFairburns,but did have those Prairies-not as pretty as those you tumbled.She said it took a good eye to find them,a bit weathered i guess.Noticed the zig zag banding right off.She wanted to find Fairburn and Bubblegum a lot so she could come back and show out:>Those tee pees and faiburns are unreal.Thanks for settin me straight.I know those are notorius materials.People are lucky to read info from you guys that actually worked that area.
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