Mariposite Rough

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Mariposite Rough Dec 6, 2014 14:53:19 GMT -5 jamesp, orrum, and 1 more like this

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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2014 14:53:19 GMT -5

Mariposite is actually kind of hard to get currently. It is a gold ore and when the price of gold is over a certain level more money is made making gold than selling lapidary rocks. Mariposite is truly a "rock". That is it has many components. There is gold, pyrite, calaverite, dolomite, quartz and (I am sure) much more. Fortunately for us, it is a beautiful blue/green color. It is a bit soft for being strongly dolomitic. It does indeed take a terrific polish.

From wiki

Mariposite is a mineral which is a chromium-rich variety of mica, which imparts an attractive green color to the generally white dolomitic marble in which it is commonly found. It was named for Mariposa, California, though it can be found in several places in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is also found in a few locations in Newfoundland, Canada, where it is called virginite, and Europe.

It is not an officially classified mineral, but is a chromium-rich phengite, which is a high silica variety of muscovite. The chemical formula is K(Al,Cr)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2. It is the chromium that gives it its distinctive green color.

The term "mariposite" also refers to the stone in which the green mica is found. This stone is marble, containing varying amounts of dolomite and quartz. Larger proportions of quartz give it a more attractive, translucent appearance. It is used as a decorative construction material, in walls, monuments, and bridges. It is also made into jewelry. This jewelry is sometimes sold under the trade name "Emerald Quartz".

$3 a pound plus postage.

Tell me your saw size and how much you want. I will choose some pieces for you and send you images for approval. Upon approval, I'll ask for payment and send off your box. I am back on track for shipping on weekends quickly.

Pat
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Mariposite Rough Dec 6, 2014 20:13:39 GMT -5 gingerkid and 1dave like this

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Post by Pat on Dec 6, 2014 20:13:39 GMT -5

Scott, those are good looking specimens. Good color.

Is there a way to tell if a piece is likely to have gold lurking inside?

I remember trying to collect it in Mariposa in about 105 degree heat, up a steep road cut. It was a short hunt.

Last Edit: Dec 6, 2014 20:14:53 GMT -5 by Pat

Pat

Donnie's Rocky Treasures gets rocks for Christmas Member since April 2009 Posts: 6,273	Mariposite Rough Dec 6, 2014 20:17:54 GMT -5 1dave likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Dec 6, 2014 20:17:54 GMT -5 I like mariposite! It's nice to cab & it's very pretty & those pieces look very tempting!
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Mariposite Rough Dec 7, 2014 11:37:21 GMT -5 Donnie's Rocky Treasures and 1dave like this

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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2014 11:37:21 GMT -5

Pat I am told all of it has a little gold. Like 3/4 ounce per ton or so. I have a sphere that has a golden metallic sparkle. I need to take Don's advice and poke it with a push pin. Then I will know if it is gold or pyrite.

Never go rockhounding in 105^o weather.

Donnie's Rocky Treasures - I sent out a couple boxes yesterday. Yours can go Monday.

Deleted Deleted Member Member since January 1970 Posts: 0	Mariposite Rough Dec 8, 2014 15:51:52 GMT -5 1dave likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2014 15:51:52 GMT -5 Busy making boxes. Gonna be some happy peoples!

johnjsgems gets rocks for Christmas Member since August 2007 Posts: 6,959	Mariposite Rough Dec 8, 2014 16:56:34 GMT -5 1dave likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by johnjsgems on Dec 8, 2014 16:56:34 GMT -5 Scott, I was told you can tell gold from pyrite with a loupe. Gold won't have sharp angles. $3 lb. is a great price for that quality.
	John at JS Gems www.jsgemslapidary.com

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Mariposite Rough Dec 8, 2014 20:35:58 GMT -5 1dave likes this

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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2014 20:35:58 GMT -5

I did get to "high grade" this material from a friend. It is very nice. John; thanks for noticing the quality.

I will be having a close look one way or another --- macro photography!

I owe photos to three members! woot! Tomorrow AM for sure.

phil
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retired.. or just tired....

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Mariposite Rough Dec 8, 2014 23:41:38 GMT -5 1dave likes this

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Post by phil on Dec 8, 2014 23:41:38 GMT -5

Dec 8, 2014 16:56:34 GMT -5 johnjsgems said:

Scott, I was told you can tell gold from pyrite with a loupe. Gold won't have sharp angles. $3 lb. is a great price for that quality.

Unless it's crystalline gold. Or gold that precipitated in cracks and fissures, then it has sharp corners, even square ones.

If I don't answer you, I probably forgot I was reading that thread... pm me!

Sabre52
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Mariposite Rough Dec 9, 2014 9:49:30 GMT -5 1dave likes this

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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 9, 2014 9:49:30 GMT -5

Yeah, what Phil said. A lot of the gold in that part of the mother load country is in the form of gold bearing sulfides like pyrite and such and a lot is wire gold that can appear quite angular. John Fremont's old Pinetree and Josephine Mine north of Bear Valley had a lot of Mariposite as gold ore....Mel

Deleted Deleted Member Member since January 1970 Posts: 0	Mariposite Rough Dec 9, 2014 11:07:14 GMT -5 via mobile 1dave likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2014 11:07:14 GMT -5 I think these pieces are from Josephine. Thanks guys.

Sabre52 Cave Dweller Me and my gal, Rosie Member since August 2005 Posts: 20,492	Mariposite Rough Dec 9, 2014 16:15:55 GMT -5 1dave likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sabre52 on Dec 9, 2014 16:15:55 GMT -5 Scott: Yours looks a lot like mine and that's where mine came from. Creek there was full of big boulders...Mel

Tommy Administrator Member since January 2013 Posts: 12,957	Mariposite Rough Dec 9, 2014 16:31:02 GMT -5 1dave likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tommy on Dec 9, 2014 16:31:02 GMT -5 Good looking stuff Scott! I can't wait to make some cabs out of the piece I got from you.
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Deleted Deleted Member Member since January 1970 Posts: 0	Mariposite Rough Dec 9, 2014 19:08:02 GMT -5 1dave likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2014 19:08:02 GMT -5 Thanks Mel and Tommy. I have orders I need to put together tonight! woot!

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Mariposite Rough Dec 10, 2014 18:48:55 GMT -5 1dave likes this

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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2014 18:48:55 GMT -5

I am caught up on all orders. All boxes have been dropped in the post office.

Except for one. The client asking for a SFRB is waiting for me to cut a chunk off for him!! Thanks everyone.

I have plenty left. Orders taken anytime!

Steve
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Mariposite Rough Dec 17, 2014 9:20:15 GMT -5 Fossilman, jamesp, and 4 more like this

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Post by Steve on Dec 17, 2014 9:20:15 GMT -5

Got my box on Sunday. I guess USPS is delivering on Sundays for the holidays. Really happy with the material. It will be fun to work this up. Although the Sunday delivery happened in front of the wife, so I got to explain why I needed another rock. She decided it was ok since I needed another rock to fill the spaces in my head.

bushmanbilly Cave Dweller Member since October 2008 Posts: 4,719	Mariposite Rough Dec 22, 2014 21:00:46 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bushmanbilly on Dec 22, 2014 21:00:46 GMT -5 If you ship to Canada. pm me a price for a MFRB of 19 lbs.

Deleted Deleted Member Member since January 1970 Posts: 0	Mariposite Rough Dec 22, 2014 22:31:49 GMT -5 1dave likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2014 22:31:49 GMT -5 Hi Billy, I have no issue shipping to Canada. I am starting a new job tomorrow and schedule is up in the air at the moment. I wont forget you! It may take a few days though.

nvkermit1512 starting to spend too much on rocks Member since April 2014 Posts: 143	Mariposite Rough Dec 24, 2014 0:50:58 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by nvkermit1512 on Dec 24, 2014 0:50:58 GMT -5 Howdy howdy, could you send me a pm on the cost of 30 lbs or what ever will fit in the boxes you ship with? Thanks Tim

Fossilman Cave Dweller Member since January 2009 Posts: 20,718	Mariposite Rough Dec 24, 2014 11:13:10 GMT -5 1dave likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Fossilman on Dec 24, 2014 11:13:10 GMT -5 Damn,that is some nice rock Scott!!!!! Gotta sit down and talk nice to my wife....If I can,I will PM you buddy......Thumbs up
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1dave misunderstood rock expert Awed by the Universe! Member since October 2013 Posts: 11,921	Mariposite Rough Dec 24, 2014 12:46:53 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by 1dave on Dec 24, 2014 12:46:53 GMT -5 Hey Scott, Thanks for sending me your sphere surround. You never told me there was gold in it, but even if you had, I would not have crushed and panned it. How is that green sphere doing by the way?
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