Post by rockpickerforever on May 21, 2015 14:00:57 GMT -5
Still have no recent slabs or wraps to post pics of, but had this incredible urge to post something! (Didn't want y'all to forget who I am, lol.) Also wanted to see how long it would take me to post photos on Flickr. Don't ask... That test drive is so OVER.
Went to the 54th Annual Barbecue and Big Silent Auction of the San Diego Mineral and Gem Society last Saturday. It is held in Balboa Park, just north of the downtown area. Here is the show report and photos. Better late than never, eh Tommy? Mark K?
Had rain in San Diego last Thursday and Friday, was supposed to clear up for Saturday. Well, Mother Nature had different ideas. We had a little bit of spritz and wind early, but that stopped before noon and we enjoyed a mostly sunny afternoon. First photos taken at the event were taken before bidding started (mostly).
I was the only bidder on this, so got it for a buck. Small pieces, but it has nice color (can't really see it in the baggie!) and can make a few small cabs.
A piece of Indian Paint stone. Don't know what this (and a lot of the other items) ended up selling for. Was running around trying to keep my bids on top!
Some misc slabs, starting at a buck. Didn't even bid on this one.
This was an interesting specimen of Hematite with bipyramidal Quartz. From England.
Some nice sandstone
Galvanized pipe bell reducer fittings, cheap parts for sphere machine. May get that sphere machine put together yet.
Minimum bid was $15, Bob picked these up. I think he got bumped once, so $17 I think?
I bid on these, until they went out of sight. Started at a buck, re-bid about four times, dropped out when price was about $15. Probably still a good deal.
I think Irving (Irving and Anita) picked these up. Seemed like he and someone named Jeff split (no pun intended!) all the thundereggs and geodes.
Bid on these for awhile too, until they got pricey.
Heavy duty tumbler with five Lortone 12 lb barrels. Starting bid on this was only $20! Was over $100 when it was all said and done. Bob stuck with it until then. Someone got a great deal.
Some Fordite, was at about $20 when I last saw it.
Some rough. I was bidding on this for awhile as well. Some jaspers, silver lace onyx, tigereye, a coprolite, etc.
Another. Both of these probably went for less than ten dollars each.
Don't know what this sold for either.
Chunk o' jasper.
See the blue dog? Or maybe a fox... Raccoon?
Starting price was $75, sold for close to that. There were only a couple people bidding on this.
Bob said it seems backwards that you'd have to press the rock to be polished up to the wheel.
Box of abrasive disks.
This is what Barclay took home. Believe he got it for $70.
Wants to do his knives on it. That'll work!
Mushroom Jasper. 24.5 lb chunk!
These are what I had winning bids on and brought home
Bucket of rocks. Paid $11. Can't remember what's in here, must have been something caught my eye.
Small basket of rocks, five bucks worth. Took some pics of a couple of them separately.
A poppy jasper?
Don't know what this one is, but I like it!
I think a coprolite.
Another one from the box, unknown.
Another view of same rock
Unknown, light green with dark swirl patterns
Another view
This was marked as bloodstone... Not like any I know of.
Still pretty, good sized chunk for $54 four dollars. Maybe a moss agate of some flavor.
Picked up five $1 slabettes/heels. All one cab wonders.
Cherry Creek
Possible Tiffany Stone
Back side
Must have broken off a larger ($9) slab. Maybe a coprolite, will know when I start to grinding on it. Liked the colors in it.
Got in a bidding war with someone on this. I wanted it, damnit! Ended up paying $9.
A good sized slab, seems pretty solid. Not sure what exactly it is, but looks similar to something I saw in a book. They called it "Scenic Jasper" from Wiley's Well.
I feel I showed a lot of uncharacteristic restraint. Spent just $33 on the auction, and $5 for the slabs from a vendor. Didn't bring home too much stuff, could have been worse! 
Oh, forgot to mention the raffle. Last year, I won several items, and then their grand prize - an amethyst cathedral. This year, I won a book on agates and jaspers. It is organized by state, and is full of colorful photos. Newer, dated 2013.
And also won this nice polished slab of pretty turritella agate, complete with display stand.
They always hold an "Ugly Rock" contest. It has three categories; Ugly, Mimic, and Embellished. Cost is $1 entry per rock. Below was my entry in the mimic category. (A potato, in case you had any doubts.) Took second place, won five bucks.
We also entered a rock in each of the other categories. Both won first place, worth another ten dollars each. So spent $3, got back $25. Not a bad day at all! If anyone is interested, I'll take and post pics of the other two winners.
Thanks for looking. Jean
