FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343 
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Post by FLrockhound on Jan 2, 2015 22:39:45 GMT -5
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Post by roy on Jan 2, 2015 22:52:46 GMT -5
not much of color in those so this wont produce much if any fire but they will make some good tumbled stones
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Jan 2, 2015 23:02:39 GMT -5
No, I didn't think they would roy They will make some nice jewelry with warm color though. |
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Post by roy on Jan 2, 2015 23:05:51 GMT -5
if you want some good fire agate later on let me know
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Jan 2, 2015 23:18:08 GMT -5
Will do roy Thanks. Once I finish with this batch I'm sure I'll be itching for more! |
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bcrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2014
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Post by bcrockhound on Jan 2, 2015 23:20:11 GMT -5
Those look great! I'm interested to see how far you tumble them and what you come up with when carving. It would be tough for me to throw some of those in the tumbler, look great as specimens as is.
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Jan 2, 2015 23:33:38 GMT -5
bcrockhound There are a couple I'm saving for my collection as rough to display with all my other rough specimens that are too nice to tumble. I like to save couple rough from everything I tumble.
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Post by kk on Jan 3, 2015 0:37:47 GMT -5
Fire Agate on Utah? I thought they are only found in very specific locations.
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 3, 2015 0:44:03 GMT -5
I learned something new,didn't know people tumbled F/A.......
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Jan 3, 2015 1:15:00 GMT -5
Fire Agate on Utah? I thought they are only found in very specific locations. Its not like the Mexican or Arizona agates but it is found on a specific mine in Utah. I don't know the specifics but I will see if I can get a general location of the find. It gets mistaken for rose quartz often since it doesn't have the rich colors. |
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Jan 3, 2015 1:27:27 GMT -5
I learned something new,didn't know people tumbled F/A....... I highly doubt many people will chance tumbling FA, just too risky. Most people will polish on a cabbing machine or hand polish and carve to get to the fire then very carefully sand/polish to get to the desired color fire. A tumble polish is my only option so thats why I'm going that route with some pieces. I will also try carving and polishing by hand to get my desired result. It will definitely be a fun and arduous learning experience. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 3, 2015 3:04:31 GMT -5
Generally I hear the non fire portions of fire agate called desert rose agate, I think because of the neat shapes it can have. I have seen some nice carved pieces and it definitely tumbles out nice.
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Post by snowmom on Jan 3, 2015 6:45:50 GMT -5
very interesting material. I'm with Stew on this, Some of those would stay right on my shelf as is. But you said you will keep some of them as is, too. I will be paying close attention to this thread, watching to see what you do with it.
Lots of before, during, and after pictures please!!!
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,717
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 3, 2015 11:22:19 GMT -5
I learned something new,didn't know people tumbled F/A....... I highly doubt many people will chance tumbling FA, just too risky. Most people will polish on a cabbing machine or hand polish and carve to get to the fire then very carefully sand/polish to get to the desired color fire. A tumble polish is my only option so thats why I'm going that route with some pieces. I will also try carving and polishing by hand to get my desired result. It will definitely be a fun and arduous learning experience. That's why I have a box of Arizona F/A sitting in my shop..I haven't a clue on how to handle it,and (or) work it.. Did get a lesson from Roy a few months ago,when I was visiting him... Have to be on your toes with that stuff,or you could take the fire out of the rock.... Hence,that is why my F/A sits in my shop...LOL Some day though,some day......Thumbs up |
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Post by 1dave on Jan 3, 2015 11:34:21 GMT -5
I learned something new,didn't know people tumbled F/A....... Top quality material requires HANDS ON! The fire layers can disappear forever in an instant. a few pieces will have clear agate over the fire and tumbling can allow a better view into where to grind by hand later. Poor quality material can wear your life away searching for something that isn't even there. |
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Jan 3, 2015 11:51:03 GMT -5
snowmom I will try to take as many pictures as I can so everybody can see it thru the journey. fossilman yes, I've learned not enough from reading and research on how to handle this stuff but there's nothing than can teach me other than hands on and just diving in head first. One thing that was stressed the most was one slip up could ruin the whole piece. Also, to study the rock consistently in sunlight to understand where the fire is and how it is laid out while working. If there is fire if any, I'm suspecting the layers are extremely thin. Fingers crossed that everything goes well.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2015 15:50:40 GMT -5
if I found those in the desert of california, I would call them "Chalcedony Roses". I would have never even considered calling those fire agates.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 3, 2015 16:08:13 GMT -5
What Shotgunner said.
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Jan 3, 2015 20:10:51 GMT -5
@shotgunner I would agree because they don't resemble the typical grade A fire. From my understanding there are different forms of it and this "fire" just isn't full of all the color.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 3, 2015 20:36:45 GMT -5
FLrocker, what you have are chalcedony roses which are often found as part of the fire agate itself. The white chalcedony must be removed as waste in order to get down to the brown to black sard where the "fire" layers are located. If this material was sold to you as fire agate it was misrepresented. But many folks collect the "roses" for their unique and attractive forms. I'm attaching an image that shows a little of the white chalcedony on a rough fire agate. This particular rough has amazing play of color just below the thin layer of quartz in the center. Unfortunately it doesn't show well in the image but I assure you it will cut top quality gem. Fire layers are always found in the sard, not in the white chalcedony.  |
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