Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 30, 2016 12:17:23 GMT -5
Howdy folks, Had another pile of Rio Grande agate dropped off a couple of days ago. I'm doing more windowing of blind nodules now to avoid duds. here are some pics from the new batch...Mel This is that Rio Grande sort of poppy/mossy stuff. Is often hematite rich and I've cabbed several pieces and really like this stuff.  Frustrating spall from the Amerinds. The seem to have carried off so much petty agate and left only small spalls from their knapping process. Weird thing is though, no one finds points from this stuff even on the mounds there on the ranch. A real mystery.  No need to window this tubey beauty. Stream tumbled off the exterior.  Very Lavic like only prettier. Some of the Rio breccias are among the best jasp/agates.  Whopping nice big'un with nice stringers and amazing depth.  Big sphere sized golden moss with spots.  And finally, no guesswork or window needed here. This is a good one.  |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 30, 2016 12:24:11 GMT -5
Yes sir, those are very nice stones!!!
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Post by toiv0 on Feb 1, 2016 6:54:13 GMT -5
Got some of the rios a couple of weeks ago, got home yesterday from a job and hope to start sawing if it stays nice (over freezing in the day)
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Post by beefjello on Feb 1, 2016 19:27:44 GMT -5
Looks like you got them pebble pups trained to find the good stuff! You gonna cut that last one or is it going in a flat rater?
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Feb 1, 2016 19:39:43 GMT -5
Last one looks yummy....cheers
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 2, 2016 9:06:24 GMT -5
Brian, I can't help myself *L* . Finally got my saw repaired and running again and that one is small enough for my vice so I think I'll at least cut the end off that last one. Seeing what secrets lie inside is my favorite part of the hobby. I'll post a pic when I open it up.....Mel
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Post by beefjello on Feb 2, 2016 19:38:57 GMT -5
Brian, I can't help myself *L* . Finally got my saw repaired and running again and that one is small enough for my vice so I think I'll at least cut the end off that last one. Seeing what secrets lie inside is my favorite part of the hobby. I'll post a pic when I open it up.....Mel Can't say as I blame ya! Looking forward to seeing what's inside  |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Feb 3, 2016 7:17:33 GMT -5
I kept a sharp eye out for artifacts and never found a single one along the Rio.
11 miles south of the turn off to the Woodward ranch on Hwy 118 on east side of road is Elephant Mountain WMA.
Drive in and go to the little pagoda where the public can park and hike at the end of the road.
Talk about agate artifacts. Sign says not to pick them up. Game wardens office at entry so don't.
Talk about a tease.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 3, 2016 8:03:08 GMT -5
James, best agate artifact I've ever seen in Texas was a huge maybe 8" long lance point knapped from a Balmorea Blue nodule. Banded black white and blue and awesome. Rancher's story that went with it was, a Comanche swiped a horse from one of his ancestors in San Saba and the owner chased him clear to the Mogollon Rim country on the AZ-NM border. The artifact was supposedly from the Indian's lance captured in battle. Good story, true or not, and a really fine agate artifact. Must have come from a huge nodule....Mel
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Feb 3, 2016 8:34:26 GMT -5
Too bad they did not have video back then. No saws to cut that big blank.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,496
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 3, 2016 23:41:13 GMT -5
I should have said that the kiddoes' folks have an entire tabletop full of nice points from that Rio Grande ranch but none are from Rio Grande agate. To me, most all of them appear to be from flint/chert from here in the hill country. Beautifully made points but not all that colorful....Mel
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Feb 4, 2016 10:04:42 GMT -5
Chert is hard to beat for knapping. Often occurs in mass,local. Texas famous for it's local cherts.
Some of those better grades of mosses chip darn good. Read a study about short points in Uvalde country where the pebbles as source were small.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 4, 2016 10:33:10 GMT -5
We should have a special forum under fossils and artifacts,just for arrowheads only.....I bet we could fill a few pages or more with talk and photos...
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