Mattatya
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2012
Posts: 452
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Post by Mattatya on Dec 22, 2013 15:58:44 GMT -5
Happy holidays everyone,
I don't know if I'm just noticing it more or the term 'Old Stock' is getting used more, but I'm curious how the term is defined in relationship to rock material.
My assumption is that it's material mined or dig from Earth at some pre-defined time/year? What year would define old stock?
Is using the term as a description a way of stating the material is of better quality & newer material is of less quality?
Or am I way off if definition?
I appreciate any input on how you define 'Old Stock'.
Matt
Sent from my SPH-D710 using proboards
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,492
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 22, 2013 16:24:25 GMT -5
Matt, The most common usage for this term is when it is used to refer to rock stock purchased from an estate or vintage collection or from foreign countries before export of raw rock was prohibited.. Since most deposits of good lapidary material are of limited distribution and rapidly hunted out, often by commercial collectors, many of the neat materials we prize are only to be had from collections hounded back when rockhoundng first became popular as long as sixty or seventy years ago. Also back in the forties and fifties, many sites were open for collection that are now closed. So, even though the materials are not extinct or collected out, the areas where they were gathered are no longer open for collecting ( ie military bases, parks, preserves etc) so those materials are only to be found now days in old collections. Also, many countries now forbid export of rough rock ( ie Botswana agate, Zaire malachite etc) so rough you see came out years ago and is "old stock". Many many examples of stuff that must be old stock these days, Wingate Plume, Bullion Plume, Dryhead Agate, Holly Blue, Cary Plume etc are just a few....Mel
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Mattatya
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2012
Posts: 452
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Post by Mattatya on Dec 22, 2013 16:38:06 GMT -5
Awesome Mel, Thanks for the detailed definition of Old Stock. It helps me out greatly. I've been questioning an estate purchase I made and winding of some of the material would be considered old stock. I'm still trying to ID much of it but one example I think would be defined as old stock is the Black Jade with Magnatite spray from California I had posting a while back. It seems that that particular material from the mine is no longer open to the public and areas around the location name it difficult to hound for. Would this example be defined as old stock. Speaking of that black jade. I have got to get my saw tuned up so I can get some polished up for four show and tell  Thanks again for sharing, Matt Sent from my SPH-D710 using proboards |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,492
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 22, 2013 17:41:39 GMT -5
Yeah, that site out by the verde antique quarry is pretty hunted out. Your stuff was more than likely collected years ago so I'd feel safe in calling it old stock material.....Mel
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 23, 2013 15:07:53 GMT -5
Yeah, that site out by the verde antique quarry is pretty hunted out. Your stuff was more than likely collected years ago so I'd feel safe in calling it old stock material.....Mel Mel, I just have to say, I am always impressed by your knowledge and how well you put things. You are truly an asset to this group. Thank you. I just got another great explanation. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Dec 23, 2013 16:16:31 GMT -5
Agree with Tela! Mel, glad you are here, sharing your knowledge with us. Very well described definition. Jean
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Post by gr on Dec 23, 2013 16:36:08 GMT -5
Anyone else think Mel should publish a writing on his wisdom of his years of collecting and working the rocks? Whatcha think Mel? You've got quite a data base there! Just a thought to roll around  |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,492
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 23, 2013 18:58:06 GMT -5
What? You guys mean I don't write enough here already? Jeez, I'm already a major blabberposter. *L*......Mel
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rykk
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 428 
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Post by rykk on Jan 18, 2014 3:56:13 GMT -5
The term "old stock" raises a bunch of questions, at least in my digitally logical though woefully under-clocked mind. First, a few assumptions: 1) Presumably, this "old stock" rock was at some point in the past "new stock", right? 2) And, I must assume it came into a seller's inventory with a bunch of other "new stock" rocks, right? 3) All of those other rocks are, apparently, gone; either bought and cabbed or in collections. These questions arise: A) So, logically, I have to then ask myself the question, "what's wrong with this rock that would explain why it didn't sell, along with the others in the batch, when it was "new stock"  B) Does it have a bunch of hidden cracks? C) Is it too porous and doesn't polish? D) Was it, as seems apparent, the ugliest specimen in that "new stock" batch and the seller is still doggedly and faithfully trying to find someone who'll have pity and finally give the poor thing a nice home? E) All of the above? F) None of the above? Seriously, those were my first thoughts upon seeing the term on ebay. I think a more accurate/descriptive term ought to be used... Unless you chose one or more of A through E. :-) Maybe "old collection" or "early dig"? Maybe "inventory clearance item" or "store liquidation item" if it's from a rock shop that has closed? Or "legacy specimen" if the original owner is, god forbid, deceased? Rick |
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Mattatya
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2012
Posts: 452
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Post by Mattatya on Jan 18, 2014 6:42:58 GMT -5
Good point, I purchased this material from a woman who is now deceased. She was a collector and dare I say a hoarder of sorts. Much of the material sat on her property for years as she didn't do much of anything outside of Rockhounding. I'm still trying to ID much of this material but what I have seen is golf ball to volleyball sizes of Pretty solid uncut material. If there are two definitions to 'Old Stock'. I want to believe I lucked out with Mel's definition |
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