lickit
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2016
Posts: 9
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Post by lickit on Nov 24, 2016 16:28:03 GMT -5
Greetings! New member and 1st post! What a fantastic site, I cant wait to dig in. I have attached a picture of what I believe to be a Fairburn agate. I am still ignorant of of best practices for preparing a specimen like this. Some have said it should be tumbled, some say cut and polish and some say leave it alone....thoughts? If I were to cut it, how does one choose exactly where the best cut would be?
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 24, 2016 17:44:21 GMT -5
First, where was it found ? Lots of agates out there being sold as Fairburns that aren't.
If you could get a better pic of the fortifications, it would be easier to ID.
From your pic it looks more like a prairie agate with nice fortifications, but without better pics I could be wrong.
If it does prove to be a Fairburn, soak it for a couple days in oxalic acid or Super Iron Out. Follow that with at least a day of soaking in water to remove any acid from cracks. Change the water every few hours. Allow the agate to dry. I do mine in the oven set on the warming setting. After it's completely dry but still hot, submerge it in mineral oil. Cheap baby oil will do. After soaking for about an hour, let it rain off & buff it with a cloth. This should give you a nice clean agate, & the mineral oil will bring out any colors that are there.
I'd suggest not cutting it if it proves to be a Fairburn. Most collectors prefer them untouched except for cleaning & oiling. Cuttingg & polishing actually reducees the value of these rare & very collectable agates.
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lickit
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2016
Posts: 9
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Post by lickit on Nov 24, 2016 18:04:23 GMT -5
Don, Thanks for your quick reply. I found this about 10 miles SE of Interior South Dakota. According to the maps I have seen this is in the range of Fairburns. I know just enough to be dangerous! I don't have a macro lens for my good camera so this is from my I-phone...hope it makes the fortifications clearer to see. The whole Fairburn identification question is interesting with a lot of disagreement it seems to me. I am a newbie here, should this be posted in another topic?
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 24, 2016 18:33:31 GMT -5
That does appear to be a Fairburn, and a nice size one at that. Congratulations on the great find.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 24, 2016 21:31:25 GMT -5
SCORE!!!!!!
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Post by orrum on Nov 25, 2016 8:52:08 GMT -5
X2 SCORE!
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,755
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Post by Mark K on Nov 25, 2016 19:30:02 GMT -5
I wouldn't cut it.
I found 2 MT fairburns within 20-30 feet of each other one time. Put them up somewhere. Don't remember where.
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Post by vegasjames on Nov 25, 2016 20:37:43 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 26, 2016 10:37:13 GMT -5
Welcome and what a find! Clean it up per Don's specifications and then keep it "as is" as a specimen piece. It's a beautiful agate.
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ubermenehune
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2016
Posts: 293
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Post by ubermenehune on Nov 26, 2016 10:37:56 GMT -5
Unless you're gonna sell it, I'd cut it to display some of its true beauty or better show it's potential beauty.
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
Gone Fishing
Member since April 2005
Posts: 1,848
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Post by Dr DG on Nov 26, 2016 14:59:13 GMT -5
Do not cut them, they are worth more if they are whole.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 26, 2016 15:24:21 GMT -5
Yep, norm is to not cut Fairburns....Mel
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lickit
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2016
Posts: 9
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Post by lickit on Nov 27, 2016 8:27:14 GMT -5
Thanks to all of you for chiming in. I have purchased Iron-out for cleaning...any guideline on how concentrated I mix the acid? I have 15 additional smaller agates that look Fairburnish....I will post pix when I am done cleaning and oiling!
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