Rock Hounds Unite

[freeztar]

"Rockhounds never ever die, they just slowly petrify"

I'm a lifelong rockhound. I know there are others lurking here, so I thought it might be fun if we joined in some discussions about everything related to rockhounding. This would include stuff like:
*personal anecdotes
*photos from your collection
*rockhounding sites you have visited or found
*web references for rockhounding
*books on rockhounding
*etc. etc.

I can't travel anywhere in nature without experiencing the rocks. As a kid, my pockets would always be filled with stones I collected throughout the day (my poor parents). I've done quite a bit of rockhounding and I've also traveled to various mineral shows (including Tuscon) to augment my collection. I've accrued quite a collection over time and would be interested in discussing various pieces with people here.

I'll post some photos and other information as I find time and see fit. Hopefully all you other rock lovers will pop up and share as well.

[freeztar]

Here's a picture I just took of a specimen that lives by my sink. It is blue Fluorite on Calcite from New Mexico. I obtained it from a dealer in Tucson in 2003. It's a subtle piece from afar, but up close, it is a gemmy delight. This specimen is about 6" across and makes for a nice distraction while washing dishes.

[Turtle]

In my efforts to minimalize possessions, I have discarded all but two of my rocks. One is an ore sample that I may yet someday have assayed, the other a piece of chalcedony from the same location.

Among the many rocks I discarded, I list 10 pounds of coprolites that I dug from a clay bank along a river somewhere SE of Olympia Washington. I used to wear an earring that I made from a small one; quite the conversation piece if ya know what I mean.

[freeztar]

At least it wasn't a nose ring, so that way you could appear at least a little bit sane when asked, "what is that bizzare stone?"

I never found any coprolites around Oly, but I did find some nice carnelians in a creek south of Tumwater.

The PNW geology is awesome!

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by freeztar

At least it wasn't a nose ring, so that way you could appear at least a little bit sane when asked, "what is that bizzare stone?"

I never found any coprolites around Oly, but I did find some nice carnelians in a creek south of Tumwater.

The PNW geology is awesome!

You play me coy, yes, no? Carnelian of course is a variety of chalcedony, while my sample is an opaque red rather than translucent, and usually referred to as jasper. I have made a scan & have it below. Besides this varitey, the deposit has banded agate in white & blue, and drusy quartz. Oh...and gold.

Footnote: The value of all the gold taken from Gifford Pinchot National forest in the last 100 years, is less than $40,000.

(click for full-size view)

[freeztar]

Here's one of the pieces I found out there. It's quite translucent when held to a light. The drusy is amazing, which the picture couldn't capture. If you look on the left side of the picture you can notice some etching. In person it looks like the underside of a gilled mushroom.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Here's one of the pieces I found out there. It's quite translucent when held to a light. The drusy is amazing, which the picture couldn't capture. If you look on the left side of the picture you can notice some etching. In person it looks like the underside of a gilled mushroom.

Ooooooo!!! Very nice! Even without the drusy's sparkle, I clearly see the hummocky form.

Do you do any lapidary and/or jewelry work with your stones? I borrowed a tumbler for a couple of years, but the one stone I had cut & planned to make into a ring broke apart during polishing. I tried it on the coprolites too; contrary to the popular saying, you can polish a turd.

[freeztar]

I bought a dremel to do some minor stuff with but I only used it once and got discouraged and haven't picked it up since. I've also got an industrial strength tumbler, but it's really more of a pain than it is worth, although I did have some really nice results with some agates I had found. I've also tried my hand at wire wrapping and that's probably my favorite way to work with stones. I like seeing jewelry that is not polished and sparkly, raw ya know.

Here's another Carnelian with a drusy "cave", found in the same stream.

[maikeru]

Originally Posted by freeztar

"Rockhounds never ever die, they just slowly petrify"

I'm a lifelong rockhound. I know there are others lurking here, so I thought it might be fun if we joined in some discussions about everything related to rockhounding. This would include stuff like:
*personal anecdotes
*photos from your collection
*rockhounding sites you have visited or found
*web references for rockhounding
*books on rockhounding
*etc. etc.

Well, I am quite well petrified and thoroughly and stubbornly stone-headed. I should've known that my early obsession with collecting rocks and minerals would lead to science.

I can't remember everything that's in my collection, because I haven't looked at them in years. They're stored in boxes big and little under my bed and in my closet, but the rocks I have include everything from slag gathered by Utah Lake to agate, quartz crystals, and a small geode, IIRC. I might have a trilobite fossil as well. I have somewhere The Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals.

Whenever I go hiking, I always spend an inordinate amount of time looking at the rocks and plants growing in them, which drives my father and brother nuts. I've always wanted to collect some fossils which might date from the time of Lake Bonneville. The mountains and benches here would've been islands and beaches at one time in the midst of that prehistoric lake.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by maikeru

Well, I am quite well petrified and thoroughly and stubbornly stone-headed. I should've known that my early obsession with collecting rocks and minerals would lead to science.

All roads lead to science.

Originally Posted by maikeru

I can't remember everything that's in my collection, because I haven't looked at them in years. They're stored in boxes big and little under my bed and in my closet, but the rocks I have include everything from slag gathered by Utah Lake to agate, quartz crystals, and a small geode, IIRC. I might have a trilobite fossil as well. I have somewhere The Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals.

Is that the Audubon Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals? I have it too.

Has your posting prompted you to drag out boxes of rocksez? Have you done any lapidary?

Originally Posted by freeztar

I bought a dremel to do some minor stuff with but I only used it once and got discouraged and haven't picked it up since. I've also got an industrial strength tumbler, but it's really more of a pain than it is worth, although I did have some really nice results with some agates I had found. I've also tried my hand at wire wrapping and that's probably my favorite way to work with stones. I like seeing jewelry that is not polished and sparkly, raw ya know.

Dremel (or MotoTool) are good; I find the little cut-off wheels work great for cutting out small stones. What was the problem that discouraged you?

Wire wrapping good. I developed a knack for making & twisting specialty wires, and they fit very well with unpolished/un-cut stones.

Nothing left to say except, "release the hounds!!!"