whyofquartz Exactly. Learning how to guess what might be on the interior of a rock takes a lifetime. Well, in my case, over 50 years. Lots of guidance from those who have been doing it for many years.
Even after guidance from others and 50 years experience, I am constantly amazed. Some rocks I feel have great patterns inside, are plain. Others I feel will be plain, are beautiful.
I am fortunate to have had a long time family friend who was a lapidary expert mentor me as a child. He took me on local rock hunting trips and showed me what to look for. He then, in the 1970's, sliced my finds on his rock saw. Showed me the results. At the time, slicing a 6" rock on his saw took about 48 hours.
Each cut was a learning experience. He never judged what I said should be sliced. He cut all of my finds at the place he felt would have the best patterns. Then show me the results.
I had some really good finds. He would pay me for half of my good finds. Then slice my half. Gave me a diamond blade hack saw so I could slice the slabs into tumbling size pieces. I would tumble them in a rotary I had. Then give him half of the finished product.
He would also take me to local rock shows. Only two per year, within an hour drive. He showed me what to look for. Explained the different offerings.
His Dad had built a lake cabin down the driveway from where I grew up. It contained a beautiful fireplace made from rocks from around the world. Many of the rocks were huge geodes and other crystal rocks with pockets.
I spent many hours in that cabin. The Dad's grandchildren and I would often hide some of our rock finds and creations (tumbled rocks, pendants, key chains) in the fireplace facade. Most of our hides were available for any child to take. WE could also take the hides of others.
The Dad and I went fishing often. One time I had to get in the water to unhook a snag the Dad had. While on the shore of the island we were fishing along, I found a trace fossil minnow. Brought that back and showed Dad. He told me to use sandpaper, stove ashes and toothpaste to hand polish it. Then give it to him. I did.
My reward was $50.00. He placed my creation in a crevice of a crystal rock on the fireplace. That was off limits for anyone to take.
$50.00 for a child in the 1970's was a huge reward.
I miss my mentor and his Dad, they have been gone for many years. Will always treasure the lessons they provided me with.
I learned so much from them, as a child. Lapidary and fishing. How to make my own fishing jigs. How to fillet fish, removing the skin. Where most of the great fishing spots on the chain of 4 lakes were. How to ID agates within rough rocks. How to prepare rough rocks for tumbling in my 1 lb. barrel tumbler. How to determine when to move to next stage or when to add more grit and keep going.
They taught me so much, so long ago.
Even though times have changed, I still use the knowledge they shared with me.
I feel fortunate to have some great mentors as a child.
