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Post by 1dave on Aug 27, 2014 14:37:26 GMT -5
An extension of Geology for Rockhounds.During the early Permian, 270 million years ago, western Utah was under water. The Coconino sandstone was being laid down on land, Then the Toroweap limestone accumulated in the water, and was topped off by the Kaibab limestone. These layers are now near the top of the Grand Canyon.  Between 140 million years (Ma) ago and 50 Ma the Sevier orogeny occurred as the oceanic Farallon Plate was subducted underneath the continental North American Plate. It was a folding/thrusting and heat generating mountain-building event that affected western North America from Canada to Mexico.  Vulcanism forced black silver sulfide and other ore bearing fluids into the rocks for the Star and Frisco mining areas west of Milford Utah. 22 Ma the Mineral mountains east of Milford began as a molten granite pluton that didn't reach the surface. Vulcanism continued in the area.  In all this heat and pressure, some of the fractured and mineral filled limestone was changed into marble.  And THERE is where we find Picasso Marble.  |
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Aug 27, 2014 21:50:47 GMT -5
1dave awesome post. I really enjoy learning the geology behind the formation and Picasso M is a fav of mine. Many thanks for sharing. Cheers
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 28, 2014 12:25:20 GMT -5
I just love this stuff! I picked up a slab, I'm gonna say from Quartzsite, two years ago.
I am allowing it to age like fine wine  . (Truth be told, I just have too much stuff to attend to before I do something with it.) I'm sure it will wait for me.
Thanks, 1dave, for all the info on the geology and how it formed. LOVE the belt buckle and cab! (Oops, I meant bolo tie! It's not just a cab.) |
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Post by 1dave on Aug 29, 2014 11:27:25 GMT -5
The Toroweap limestone was laid down as blobs of limestone, dolomite, yellow sand, clay, etc, so there is a lot of variance from mine to mine, and even from foot to foot. The pieces usually have heavy calcite coatings that sometimes have black lines extending to the surface, but until you knock off a chip there is no way to know if a piece is worth taking home or not.  Stress fractures broke and filled in many ways.   But this is my favorite piece so far.  |
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Post by deb193redux on Aug 29, 2014 12:52:44 GMT -5
some very nice Picasso here!
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vugs
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rockbiter
Member since February 2014
Posts: 225 
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Post by vugs on Aug 29, 2014 15:38:57 GMT -5
so the Pacific Coast Picasso would be marble then?
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Post by 1dave on Aug 30, 2014 10:16:21 GMT -5
so the Pacific Coast Picasso would be marble then? I have never worked with it, but it is called jasper, so I ASSUME it has a lot more silica in it and is harder. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2014 23:46:11 GMT -5
so the Pacific Coast Picasso would be marble then? Vugs bring the rock. I have beer. We'll decide if it's marble or jasper or something else! Come on over! |
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vugs
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rockbiter
Member since February 2014
Posts: 225
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Post by vugs on Sept 6, 2014 13:11:34 GMT -5
so the Pacific Coast Picasso would be marble then Bugs bring the rock. I have beer. We'll decide if it's marble or jasper or something else! Come on over! I cant make it this weekend. Got some family business today.. Rockhounding trip tomorrow. I'd like to take you up on that though. Possibly next weekend. Thanks again man! I appreciate it. |
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stonemania
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2017
Posts: 3
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Post by stonemania on Mar 13, 2017 14:25:34 GMT -5
I know this thread goes back a few years but it's the only real in depth geological information I have ever been able to find on Picasso marble so I hope you don't mind that I've linked to it for a Picasso marble ladies pendant that I have on my website?
My piece certainly isn't as exciting as some of the pieces on this page but at least I have some accurate information about it now. For years I had believed it was a jasper so I'm very pleased to have found this thread.
Here's a link to the piece I have on my page (www.stonemania.co.uk) just search for Picasso Marble. I can't link directly to the specific page because when the pendant sells, it will just be a broken link.
If I'm not allowed to post a link please let me know, I'm only a newby so don't want to break the rules!
Thanks.
Laurence, Stone Mania
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Post by 1dave on Mar 13, 2017 21:29:31 GMT -5
stonemania - Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules! 
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stonemania
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2017
Posts: 3
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Post by stonemania on Mar 14, 2017 4:21:14 GMT -5
 Thanks Dave, good to hear! You've got to be so careful now days when posting on forums, say or do the wrong thing and you're given a good ole thrashing! Thanks again for the article on Picasso marble. Really enjoyed reading it. Regards, Laurence
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bobk
starting to shine!
Member since September 2018
Posts: 34
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Post by bobk on Sept 11, 2018 15:46:04 GMT -5
Hello Dave,
I enjoyed reading your informative snippet on the mineral mountains and picasso marble. It is nice to see the detailed graphics as well as the 'rough' specimen photos; the latter of which will help finding the stone in the wilds. A question on the photo that appears to be a small quarry, just after the image of the mineral mountains; is that a claimed quarry? I would like to venture out to find some of picasso marble, so I am doing some research and can use all the help I can get.
This is my first post here and I look forward to getting involved- Bob
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Post by orrum on Sept 12, 2018 7:41:22 GMT -5
Dave thanks pardner! Picasso is one of my favs!!
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 12, 2018 8:09:30 GMT -5
Hello Dave, I enjoyed reading your informative snippet on the mineral mountains and picasso marble. It is nice to see the detailed graphics as well as the 'rough' specimen photos; the latter of which will help finding the stone in the wilds. A question on the photo that appears to be a small quarry, just after the image of the mineral mountains; is that a claimed quarry? I would like to venture out to find some of picasso marble, so I am doing some research and can use all the help I can get. This is my first post here and I look forward to getting involved- Bob Welcome Bob! |
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Post by 1dave on Sept 12, 2018 11:52:44 GMT -5
Hello Dave, I enjoyed reading your informative snippet on the mineral mountains and picasso marble. It is nice to see the detailed graphics as well as the 'rough' specimen photos; the latter of which will help finding the stone in the wilds. A question on the photo that appears to be a small quarry, just after the image of the mineral mountains; is that a claimed quarry? I would like to venture out to find some of picasso marble, so I am doing some research and can use all the help I can get. This is my first post here and I look forward to getting involved- Bob Hi Bob, I no longer get out in the field. My last trip to the area was about 4-5 years ago. I believe there were 8 - 10 Picasso claims on the hillside years ago. I think most have expired but you need to call the BLM in Cedar City to verify that. The last were owned by Dave Penny who seems to have given up on all his claims when his daughter who ran their rock shop in Beaver was murdered. The last I heard some big company was going to crush all the rocks in the area for the little bit of silver in them, but the Picasso is more valuable in my mind.  The earliest photo I have found of the area.  Some of my favorite pieces The location of Minersville.  Mineral Mountains   The Picasso Diggings  The Geology BTW - The Pkt (lite blue) was the last layer before the Great Dying at the end of the Permian.    |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Sept 12, 2018 13:24:14 GMT -5
A nice Picasso slab 1dave sent to me. From that same area, no doubt.
Front 
Back
(or maybe the other way around? lol.)
Thank you Dave! |
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Post by 1dave on Sept 12, 2018 13:43:43 GMT -5
The second photo is definitely the front - or maybe the other way around!
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Post by 1dave on Sept 13, 2018 11:02:46 GMT -5
Amazing what you can see -   The track hoe was stolen a few years later. |
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. (Truth be told, I just have too much stuff to attend to before I do something with it.) I'm sure it will wait for me.
