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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 10, 2016 0:07:26 GMT -5
I'm a new member to the forum, my first and only, and just discovering an interest in rocks. Santa brought my sons a tumbler for Christmas and we have been enjoying tumbling rough purchased online. We happen to live near south central Ky, where we learned you can find Kentucky agate and geodes. On a recent trip to Estill County we found what appears to be a nice specimen of agate that I'd like to have cut and possibly polished. I'm a little hesitant because I've only really seen photos online and before I go find someone to do this for me, I'd like to get a little feedback. I do understand that you really never know what's in there until you get it open, but maybe someone with some experience can tell me if I have something here worth checking. I did my best to get photos embedded (Dropbox, Flickr), to no avail. Hopefully the links below function and aren't too annoying. I've enjoyed absorbing the information I've found so far and would appreciate any comments.
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Post by txrockhunter on Feb 10, 2016 6:47:07 GMT -5
You definitely have an agate and now I'm excited to see what's inside! You might look into picking up a cheap tile saw from one of the big boxes (Lowes / Home Depot). For under $100 you can cut your own and trim rocks to make it easier to tumble. I got hooked the exact same way. Santa brought my daughter a tumbler last Christmas and it was down hill from there. Be thankful for the local resource and a great way to spend time with the kids! By the way, welcome to the site!
Jeremy
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 10, 2016 7:03:26 GMT -5
First of all welcome to the forum. That doe's look like it could be a great agate specimen. I have not seen very many Kentucky agates posted here and I have only worked on one piece myself. I still have a killer slab on display though. Here's the one I worked on forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/72080/kentucky-agateI would be willing to cut it and make a pendant from it for you for a fee or partial rock trade if the rock is nice enough when cut. I do not polish slabs so if you just want it cut in half and polished someone else might be able to help. Chuck |
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller 
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910 
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Post by Intheswamp on Feb 10, 2016 7:57:56 GMT -5
First thing, don't panic. That is an unexploded Triassic time bomb! Carefully pack it up and send it to me and I will properly (somehow) detonate it.  Interesting rocks, btw. Welcome to the forum!!!! My granddaughters' mother's old rock tumbler is the reason I'm here now...I think they've gone on to other things and I'm here now. Hello, my name is Ed, and I'm a rock addict. |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 10, 2016 9:26:41 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.......It's either an agate or Kentucky Geode.....We were just talking about these last week,seen a few and they are beautiful inside...
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 10, 2016 13:04:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the input, and that jewelry piece is pretty sweet, Chuck. I suspect what I have is an agate and not a geode due to the density, it's heavy for it's size. It will probably look something like the cab you have there Chuck, since most of the pieces I was finding were more of the earth toned variety. However, there have been some exceptional agates found in the very same stretch of creek with red, yellow and black. I guess my search is on to find a rock saw close by, I'll post photos when I get that accomplished. And yes, I hope my kids continue to get as much enjoyment out of their Christmas gift as their dad has.
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Post by woodman on Feb 10, 2016 14:21:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the input, and that jewelry piece is pretty sweet, Chuck. I suspect what I have is an agate and not a geode due to the density, it's heavy for it's size. It will probably look something like the cab you have there Chuck, since most of the pieces I was finding were more of the earth toned variety. However, there have been some exceptional agates found in the very same stretch of creek with red, yellow and black. I guess my search is on to find a rock saw close by, I'll post photos when I get that accomplished. And yes, I hope my kids continue to get as much enjoyment out of their Christmas gift as their dad has. Search for a local rock club, some have club houses with saws or you may find rock nut who will cut it for you. If you go the tile saw route, cut some different materials before to tackle this agate. It will be interesting to see what is inside! |
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 10, 2016 14:50:59 GMT -5
I will be attending the local rock club's meeting at the end of the month, so I may have some luck there. I have also learned that the nearby college's geology department will cut them for $2 per inch. I think I'll hang on to it until I can get out there and pick up a few more though. It should be a little easier next time now that I know where to look and more importantly, what it is I'm looking for.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 10, 2016 15:34:07 GMT -5
Traveling gem and mineral shows usually have someone from a local club set up to make cuts, too. Just mentioning it for another suggestion. I know you're going to your club. Good luck with your rocks. Could be real gold in that there treasure!  |
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 10, 2016 16:07:42 GMT -5
Welcome aboard Garage Rocker. Looks like you found the real thing, And from the red patches on the outside possibly a real jewel. Since it's your first, may I suggest that you have it cut in half and have both halves polished. You'll only have that first good find once. Why not display it on a shelf ? Now that you know what they look like, more are sure to follow.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 24, 2016 11:53:39 GMT -5
I finally got our agate cut to see what was inside. It doesn't have any real banding or much in the way of colors I was hoping for, it's more of a hot mess in there, but it's ours and we like it. We've got one more nice one to get cut, so we'll see if that one has anything interesting. At least I know where to look and what I'm looking for now. Once nice weather hits, we'll be able to start putting together a collection.
Randy |
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Post by adam on Feb 27, 2016 13:13:52 GMT -5
Mostly solid, still pretty, nothing too extraordinary. We'll find you some better and better pieces. Looks like solid quartz with pockets of globular druzy. Lots of that to be found. The exterior of geodes can be real deceiving.
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