mitziefisher
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 11 
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Post by mitziefisher on Dec 14, 2015 23:24:08 GMT -5
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indiana
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 285
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Post by indiana on Dec 15, 2015 7:00:17 GMT -5
Hi Mitzie,
I'm seeing the pictures as too small to see any detail.
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller 
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,105
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Post by Thunder69 on Dec 15, 2015 7:07:49 GMT -5
Those are croinoid fossils in it..A type of sea plant... cool find....John
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on Dec 15, 2015 9:31:30 GMT -5
Yeah, pic is pretty small but from what I can see, you have crinoid stem sections and maybe a brachiopod impression too. Crinoids by the way, though called "sea lilies" are actually an echinoderm animal related to the starfish and urchins and not a plant as the common name would have you believe......Mel
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 15, 2015 10:32:06 GMT -5
Much of South Dakota was once part of a vast shallow sea. Many marine fossils are found, especially in western South Dakota. Larger pics would help, but I don't believe what you have is a Fairburn agate. More likely what is locally called a prairie agate. Marine fossils embedded in the matrix are quite common.
If you can, post a larger pic of what you think may be Fairburn patterning in your rock. With more to look at, we'll be able to tell you for sure if it is or isn't a Fairburn.
Don
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 15, 2015 12:01:49 GMT -5
As in the fossil world,this would be considered a death plate............All kinds of fossils or even just one type of fossil or rock,forced into a rock or boulder.....
Have many in my collecting....
When I get time,I wil blow up the photos and can ID some of the creatures for you....
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Post by woodman on Dec 15, 2015 18:36:35 GMT -5
I just found out that if I right click on one of the pictures and choose open in a new tab, I get a much larger version of it. the third picture is aabit out of focus tho.
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 15, 2015 19:12:38 GMT -5
Thanks woodman.
Mitziefisher, what you have would be called a signer. It's an agate which was trying very hard to become a Fairburn. It has the right type of fortifications, but not enough to be considered a Fairburn. At least you have a good idea of what to look for. With any luck you'll find a nice Fairburn next time you look.
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mitziefisher
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by mitziefisher on Dec 17, 2015 1:03:59 GMT -5
I have blown the pics up and Thank You everyone for all the info.
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 17, 2015 12:25:19 GMT -5
There's a chance with signers that if you cut them, you may uncover better patterns inside. This only works with a small percentage of signers, but what do you have to loose by trying ? I have 3 or 4 here that I plan to cut this winter. I'm a purest Fairburn collector, and generally don't condone cutting or even polishing a Fairburn. But in the case of signers you have little to loose, and possibly much to gain.
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 17, 2015 20:10:44 GMT -5
Those were a couple of beauties. My first find back around 94 was just a large chip, but it started my obsession with Fairburns. I now have around 180 of them. Some collected. Some boughten, and some gifted by fellow Fairburn hunters. Here's that first one.  And the pride of my collection. Both halves of a broken Fairburn. Both found on the same day, and within yards of each other.  |
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 216
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Post by fireforged on Dec 17, 2015 21:21:02 GMT -5
Wow Don the Fairburns in the second picture are incredible. I have never found a Fairburn. I am jealous.
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mitziefisher
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by mitziefisher on Dec 18, 2015 10:19:43 GMT -5
I have found Fairburn Agates and I love looking for them. The reason I had picked that fossil up was because I seen the tiny bit of the Holly Pattern. I just thought that the fossil with
the tiny bit of fairburn pattern was awesome. And I really would love to know more about it.
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mitziefisher
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by mitziefisher on Dec 18, 2015 10:30:23 GMT -5
Don the Fairburns you have ,have some great color. They almost remind me of teepee Canyon Agate. I talked to some Rockhounds when I was in South Dakota and they all kept saying that they had these areas they go to that haven't been picked over. But I found an agate my best agate on a hill that is walked over and had been excavated. When I showed them my agate they had to agree that the picked over statement may not always be true. I found a petrified fish head in front of a motel in Minnesota. I think its all in the eye. Not to mention that the ground pushes things to the top esp. when it has rained. Or in the spring. Either way I am freaking hooked and can't wait to get back to South Dakota. The rocks are boring me here in New Hampshire.
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fireforged
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 216
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Post by fireforged on Dec 18, 2015 12:19:53 GMT -5
There are a lot of people that think there is a connection between the teepee canyon agates and the fairburns. They are very similar. I don't really know if they are the same or not. I just like looking for pretty rocks. Fairburns are rare and every one is a little treasure. The prairie agates are also very pretty and should not be overlooked when in the Dakotas.
Rod
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 18, 2015 13:31:03 GMT -5
These are Tee Pee canyon. Not at all like Fairburns. But they are much sought after & cut beautiful cabs.  |
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 18, 2015 13:34:23 GMT -5
This is Lame Johnny Creek agate from just outside of Custer State Park to the S.E. Very similar to a Fairburn. I collected this from the Lame Johnny Creek road cut in early spring. Spring thaws had broken it loose from the road cut.  |
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