Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on May 29, 2014 8:43:32 GMT -5
Howdy folks, So many varieties of this stuff and all come from about the same area of northern Mexico. Some, like Christmas Tree Flame, are so expensive I don't have an example but these are some of the more common types....Mel Common flame agate cut with the flames instead of perpendicular to them: Kind of an intergrade between flame and bird of paradise. I'd call it the latter. More normal flame. When the green you see along the bottom extends up into the plume it becomes that rare Christmas Tree Flame. Typical red and orange Flame. Most common kind on the market. Kind of a one off flame. Only one of this type I've had and have never seen it named except just " Flame Agate" but one of my favorites. Classic Confetti Agate. Occurs right near the flame veins and sometimes has flame along the edges; Another one off that seem to have characteristics of flame and bird of paradise. Found this one in an old collection ad I was told "flame" but I'm thinking possibly Bullion Mtns Plume too. Shows the ID problems associated with buying material instead of finding it yourself *L*. Bought as Bird Of paradise: And finally, a classic oldie, Forest Fire Flame. This one has the red flames burning as the bottom and the ash and cinders in black coming off the top of the flame.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on May 29, 2014 9:32:55 GMT -5
I love flame agate! I didn't realize there are so many varieties. I especially like the varieties in the bottom two photos you posted. Last year beefjello posted some pictures of flame agates. I'll post a link to beefjello's post below and I was wondering if the material in the 11th photo down from the top (in beefjello's post)is the Christmas Tree Flame Agate variety you mentioned? forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/60199/flame-agateLarry C.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on May 29, 2014 10:49:04 GMT -5
Like the "Bird Of paradise".....
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on May 29, 2014 11:11:44 GMT -5
All of them are GREAT, but I think I like the Bullion Mt. best. Thanks!
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
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Post by gemfeller on May 29, 2014 11:57:28 GMT -5
Hey Mel, what would you call this? (Maybe a trick question...)
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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 May 29, 2014 14:02:50 GMT -5
Larry: Yup that's the stuff and if you can believe it, I saw some even more spectacular examples go off on E Bay a while ago and the slabs went for huge prices. My bids were slaughtered in minutes *L*.
Rick: of course, flame and plume are kind of synonyms, but I'd call that a "flame" agate. Flame of course comes from many more places than Mexico. Fine examples come out of the Cady mtns, Bullion mtns, though they call that one plume, Arizona, Wingate Pass, Indonesia and I'd even classify some of the Graveyard material as more flame than plume. Your example looks like some of the Cady's stuff but heck, could be from Mexico or elsewhere too. As you know, common lapidary names are more descriptive than scientific.....Mel
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
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Post by gemfeller on May 29, 2014 15:12:30 GMT -5
Mel: It's flame agate from near the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia -- the same area where forum member Darryl (150 From Fundy) collects. There's probably more than one variety there. I have at least one other type I'll photograph and post ASAP.
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Post by snowmom on May 29, 2014 16:54:39 GMT -5
Mel, that pink and red un named flame had me pounding on the desk! hubba-hubba! those are some beautiful patterns. Can't tell you how much I enjoy your informative posts. keep 'em coming!
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
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Post by gemfeller on May 29, 2014 18:06:43 GMT -5
Mel, here's one other type of flame agate from Nova Scotia. I might even risk wading the Bay of Fundy -- at low tide! -- for this stuff!
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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 May 29, 2014 18:20:21 GMT -5
Rick, used to collect Lapidary Journal articles on agate and jasper and think I saw on on the Nova Scotia flame one time. Gave all the collection to ole Lowell but I do remember Nova Scotia had some real fine flame agate. Your examples are fantastic!....Mel
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
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Post by gemfeller on May 29, 2014 18:28:55 GMT -5
Wish I had more Mel. They were gifts from a good friend who lives there and actually *does* wade Fundy to collect. He has a few scary stories about nearly being drowned when he spent too much time digging and lost track of time.
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Post by pghram on May 30, 2014 17:22:02 GMT -5
So many agates, what an amazing variety.
Rich
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miander
spending too much on rocks
Searching for the shop of my dreams...
Member since November 2013
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Post by miander on May 31, 2014 12:34:29 GMT -5
More ridiculously fabulous examples for Mel's agate museum!
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