chandler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2020
Posts: 105
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Post by chandler on Nov 22, 2020 19:11:19 GMT -5
Hello! I am glad to find this forum before I started on this hobby!
We recently built a house in the country in Wise County, Texas. When they broke ground to lay the foundation they unearthed beautiful huge limestone boulders. as I walked around admiring the boulders, I started noticing the variety of rocks on the ground. Petrified wood, jasper, quartz, agates, druzy Indian artifacts and chert. Beautiful and all in my backyard! So the hunt for information began. I have been on artifact sites, mineral sites, paleontology sites. all of them very helpful. I experimented with vinegar baths and Rust-off baths. some of my rocks lost the luster they had when I found them on the ground. if there is a way to restore the luster, please let me know. I am thinking the next step is a rock polisher. I would love to slice some as well. Some agates are hiding crystals I can see with a flashlight in the center and I want to know how to expose them. I had begun exploring the vacant lots in my neighborhood that hadn't sold. Then I had an accident, got bucked off a horse and broke some bones so I sit here so frustrated because of the fantastic finds that are out there begging not to be covered up by a cement slab!
What I would really appreciate your help with is where to start. I have such a variety, but I will start with four of my favorites for identification and tips on working around the crystals.
Thank you ahead of the time!
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rocket
spending too much on rocks
Quality slabs for quality cabs in 2022
Member since September 2020
Posts: 292
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Post by rocket on Nov 22, 2020 21:46:27 GMT -5
Welcome from Maryland...all I got from the foundation of my house was sand and oyster shells...maybe I should retire to Texas...Rocket
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 23, 2020 8:55:28 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! It sounds like you've got an amazing hounding ground right out the back door! That's so awesome! So sorry to hear about the accident! It just goes to show you shouldn't be "horsing around" when you want to go hounding! Your unfortunate circumstances of having such amazing hounding grounds just out of reach at the moment reminded of the old Eddie Murphy bit: "I have some ice cream. I have some ice cream. Wanna lick? Psyche!" I've experimented with Iron Out on some of Fairburns. Had so-so results. There are a ton of people on the forum with tons of knowledge who hopefully will chime in about the "luster" issue. Remember, rotary tumbling will alter the shape of the rock by rounding it, while vibratory tumbling will smooth the edges of the existing shape. So, that's something to keep in mind as to what you really want to accomplish with the finds...once you're back on your feet.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 23, 2020 9:50:02 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 23, 2020 10:33:06 GMT -5
Howdy...
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Post by drocknut on Nov 23, 2020 12:50:49 GMT -5
Hello and welcome from central Arizona
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Nov 27, 2020 16:50:50 GMT -5
Welcome from the Desert Southwest! While I cannot tell you how to restore the lustre your rocks once had, I am sure there are experts on board here that certainly could.
It is quite fortunate for you that you purchased land which is covered on the surface by so many interesting rocks and artifacts. I can only imagine. I do know what it's like to be sidelined by an injury though, so hoping that you recover from you fall soon!
If you manage to find the time to photograph your new finds, then we would love to see them!
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Post by TheRock on Mar 12, 2021 15:57:32 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH Forum from S/W Michigan! ~Duke
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