Henry
spending too much on rocks
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Post by Henry on Feb 19, 2013 22:10:56 GMT -5
I found this agate in my late grandmother's backyard along with Davis Creek-type obsidian (Northern California). The pattern is quite nice except it has this mysterious white stuff stuck in the pocks/pits which just will not tumble out. This is gone through multiple coarse tumbles without luck. Unfortunately I do not own a grinder or dremel. <stone is wet> Attachments:![](//storage.proboards.com/1258779/thumbnailer/SGGh_tSe6q4SC1gmIs2z.jpg)
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
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Post by Henry on Feb 19, 2013 22:12:09 GMT -5
The nice side. Attachments:![](//storage.proboards.com/1258779/thumbnailer/LiQyZFf7CEIVy4dxiFTK.jpg)
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gravelgrazer
noticing nice landscape pebbles
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Post by gravelgrazer on Feb 19, 2013 22:31:30 GMT -5
Nice, looks like some cool banding! So is that tumbling grit that is stuck in the pits?
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
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Post by Henry on Feb 19, 2013 22:40:59 GMT -5
It was actually found, as a larger piece, coated with mysterious white stuff. I though it was paint..but I assume paint would have tumbled off.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
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Post by jspencer on Feb 19, 2013 22:42:44 GMT -5
It looks like polish in the pits. Short of retumbling or buying a Dremel or ther power tools you might try using dental picks. A set is about $2-$3 at Harbor Freight. Then try soaking your rock in hot soapy water. Use a stiff bristle brush on the rock then try to dig out the crud with the picks.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
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A COUPLE LAKERS
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Feb 20, 2013 2:12:25 GMT -5
I think the white stuff you're talking about is probably the husk of the agate nodule. It's the boundary between where it was opaque and full of pits and cavities - kinda like white chert, and where it becomes solid clear agate. You just have to put it back in the 60/90 and keep tumbling.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
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Post by jamesp on Feb 20, 2013 8:26:49 GMT -5
Looks like the agate husk to me too.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Feb 20, 2013 10:12:38 GMT -5
yeah!! what they said... that is normal especially on most Montana Agates... that is a normal coating on the rock and not all of it will tumble off unless you really grind it down... 6-8 weeks minimum... I have it on most of my Montana's too and like the look of it when there is a little left... makes for interesting looking cabs and pendents!!
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by carloscinco on Feb 20, 2013 14:49:18 GMT -5
Most of the agates I find have a white rind just like yours. It's usually just as hard as the agate so I shave it off with the side of the saw blade.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 20, 2013 15:12:55 GMT -5
The white stuff is agate too. It can take on a pearl-like lustre and in my humble opinion can be an attractive feature in the stone. Some stones have so much as to look like satellite weather maps from space. Every stone is different and like dogs, every stone has its day (read admiring enthusiast). Enjoy. tom
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 20, 2013 16:18:54 GMT -5
Looks like a Montana.....Common with the white linings..
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