Am I seriously the only rockhound in this forum?

by HeySal
41 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
  • |
Seriously. Where are the other rock and gem hunters in here? You people can't all spend every day all day and night in front of your computers? Let's talk rocks someone - freaking anyone. I don't care if you're just an amateur and interested or if you're a pro (if you're a pro, we should be talking anyhow, ya know?)

Some of my favs from last summer (cut by a couple of my site members for me).


This is moss agate. It's an extremely GOOD moss agate. I stumbled on an outcrop last summer. I've taken a few people out to get some but not many. Not sure how much the outcrop holds yet. We're having to dig now.



This is what's known as a thunderegg. The green, or matrix rock, is rhyolite. The dark transulent is agate - the pink is moss, thusly called a moss agate thunderegg. It happens in the trade to be known as a very GOOD thunderegg. This is from a dig in the Ochoco Mountains also - about 10 miles from the stuff above as the crow flies.
  • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
    Is that actually moss, as in the plant, inside the rock?

    I can understand the interest in them, they're very interesting to look at. Sadly I'm not even an amateur on these matters but I enjoy looking at them so feel free to post some more pictures in your collection.
    Signature

    Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9154132].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Richard - moss describes the pattern of the mineral inclusion in the rock. Agates can have about any pattern you can think of - banded, mossy, plume...etc. The names are pretty much descriptive of the type of inclusion (pattern) in the agate The including material is one mineral or another depending upon what's in the local area. I'm not sure of which minerals the inclusions in the agates in those two in the pics are. I don't do mineral analysis on them. Some micro-mounters and geologists do. Pics of minerals magnified 80 to 100 times are pretty incredible.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9154147].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Richard - moss describes the pattern of the mineral inclusion in the rock. Agates can have about any pattern you can think of - banded, mossy, plume...etc. The names are pretty much descriptive of the type of inclusion (pattern) in the agate The including material is one mineral or another depending upon what's in the local area. I'm not sure of which minerals the inclusions in the agates in those two in the pics are. I don't do mineral analysis on them. Some micro-mounters and geologists do. Pics of minerals magnified 80 to 100 times are pretty incredible.
      Yes, well, I did say I wasn't even amateur level That makes a bit more sense than my plant theory! I've never seen rocks magnified, I'm going to have a browse online now.

      Many thanks.
      Signature

      Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9154210].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    I'm not a big rock hunter, but can identify some basic rocks found in my area, like apache tear/obsidian, quartz, mica, iron pyrite (AKA Claude's gold), etc.

    I'm more interested in ID'ing good rocks for survival purposes, like for knapping and flinting than finding precious or semi-precious gems and stones.
    Signature
    Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
    Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9154495].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      I'm more interested in ID'ing good rocks for survival purposes, like for knapping and flinting than finding precious or semi-precious gems and stones.
      That's very interesting too Kurt, do you find many precious stones and gems?

      I actually thought you said kidnapping, for survival purposes, then I realised I'd learned a new word from you.

      I must admit I'm getting quite interested in this.
      Signature

      Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9154516].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

        That's very interesting too Kurt, do you find many precious stones and gems?
        I don't go out as much any more. The only rock of value I've ever found was a small gold nugget when I was about 8 years old. It was only about the size of about 6 or 7 grains of rice. But for a long time, it was my "prized possesion" as a kid.

        I did have a rock collection as a kid, and would often spend my allowance on "grab bags" at the rock shop a few blocks from where I lived growing up.

        I actually thought you said kidnapping, for survival purposes, then I realised I'd learned a new word from you.

        I must admit I'm getting quite interested in this.
        My mistake. I said "knapping". I meant "napping", as in eating a pizza, then taking a nap.

        Seriously, someone skilled at knapping (not me) can make an edge sharper than a surgeon's scalpel from a rock like apache tear/obsidian. It really isn't the blade that's the problem, it's having a good, usuable handle that's the issue. But with skill and the right rocks, knapping will produce a blade as sharp or sharper than modern tech can produce.

        I have poor taste in rocks as Apache tear is my favorite, but it isn't very valuable. It's pretty common and is a black "volcanic glass" that I have always liked, ever since I was a kid. It does have quite a bit of "spritiual" history though...

        Signature
        Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
        Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9154562].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I know nothing about rocks except that they're rocks, but appreciate the info and find it interesting. I think having a hobby or passion for something is great. Better than spending all your free time in front of a computer or TV.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9154520].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Khemosabi
    I'm just now getting interested in them Sal! Especially semi precious stones. I just got a client that makes jewelry out of jasper, and OMG I had no idea how beautiful jasper is.
    I'm actually looking for a good site to help me identify the different types of jasper she uses. One stone in particular "map jasper"??? :confused: is facinating!

    I have a lot of semi precious stones and quartz here on my property, I just don't know how to really identify them. I'm pretty sure I have sapphire as well!

    ~ Theresa
    Signature


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9154551].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Khemosabi View Post

      I'm just now getting interested in them Sal! Especially semi precious stones. I just got a client that makes jewelry out of jasper, and OMG I had no idea how beautiful jasper is.
      I'm actually looking for a good site to help me identify the different types of jasper she uses. One stone in particular "map jasper"??? :confused: is facinating!

      I have a lot of semi precious stones and quartz here on my property, I just don't know how to really identify them. I'm pretty sure I have sapphire as well!

      ~ Theresa
      Jasper is a lot like agate with the naming. The names describe the jasper, but often the names are often tied to a location. For example, Biggs Jasper is well known and coveted Jasper from N. Oregon in the Biggs area. You can find jasper that looks like Biggs jasper elsewhere, though, so the Name is pretty much just a label that lets people know where it's from and what it looks like. Biggs jasper is what is known as picture jasper and the patterns resemble landscapes. Gary Green is more known for its color, but Gary Green is from the McDermitt area of Oregon.

      So.......while some jasper will be named for use in trade, don't worry too much about the name of the jasper. It's good to know a few of them if you are serious about hunting or buying - but they aren't all that important in the long run unless you're in trade or if you're just looking to have an assorted display, etc.

      There was a member of my website who used to post pics of every jasper he ever cut wanting to know what it was. Well, frankly, most doesn't have a name. It's just really kewl jasper. LOL.

      RE: sapphire. There's sapphire in the central region of ID around Stanely. I'm not sure of up that far north but possible. You have a pic?
      Signature

      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9155588].message }}
  • {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9154943].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    Sal, I used to be quite involved in rock-hounding until the late 80's. Not sure why I gave it up, as I did enjoy it.

    I used to produce a guide for the local Chamber of Commerce that rock-hounders purchased showing all the local mines and what was available at their sites.

    I was a guide for some time, but gave it up.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9155273].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by waterotter View Post

      Sal, I used to be quite involved in rock-hounding until the late 80's. Not sure why I gave it up, as I did enjoy it.

      I used to produce a guide for the local Chamber of Commerce that rock-hounders purchased showing all the local mines and what was available at their sites.

      I was a guide for some time, but gave it up.
      Jody - I remember our conversations about it. I can't remember what you used to look for, though. I know a guy that owns some amethyst mines that I don't think are real far from you...and some of those beaches have a lot of agate. I've wanted to do some hunting in Canada, but there's just so many places to go and so little time.
      Signature

      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9163822].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author waterotter
        Sal,

        Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

        Jody - I remember our conversations about it. I can't remember what you used to look for, though. I know a guy that owns some amethyst mines that I don't think are real far from you...and some of those beaches have a lot of agate. I've wanted to do some hunting in Canada, but there's just so many places to go and so little time.
        Bancroft is the "Mineral Capital of Canada" because of the variety and quality of the mineral species found here. In the area, you will find every metamorphic and volcanic rock known to man.

        There are approximately 1600 mineral species that have been identified in the region.

        The Annual Rockhound Gemboree

        The Bancroft area is located in the Bancroft terrane, consisting of deformed carbonate metasedimentary rocks, a minor amount of volcanic rock, and a distinctive suite of nepheline syenites, syenites, as well as, skarn pyroxenites, calcite cored veins, and uranium-bearing nepheline rocks.
        A list of commodities mined in the Bancroft area include: corundum, feldspar, uranium, graphite, iron, nepheline syenite, mica, marble, granite, lead, gold, molybdenite, apatite, beryl, fluorite, talc and sodalite.
        Source: Adventure: Roaming with the Rockhounds in Canada's Mineral Capital

        Jody
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9176132].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Richard - I don't mind explaining this stuff to people that don't know. I love rocks and am glad to answer questions as I can. I have a rock and gem website and many of the members meet up and hunt together. I love to answer questions. I LOVE to turn people on to the natural world.

    Kurt - you were right - it's knapping. I know many knappers. Here in Oregon we have a hill that's made of obsidian and is very propular for both rock collectors and knappers. Obsidian isn't always black. You'd be amazed at some of the varieties of obsidian. Obsidian and flint are the favorite materials of knappers. Here's a few of the plainer stones from Glass Butte:

    It's a little hard to see this one - it's raw (uncut or polished) and the light wasn't right for photo but it has deep grey and red banding:





    Not more than a few decades ago you could find arrowheads all over glass butte. Now the chips you find are more likely to be from recent knappers instead of ancient crafters.

    Theresa - jasper can be plain or it can be quite colorful and very highly patterned. It is very similar to agate. Quartz, agate, jasper, and opal are all silicon based stones, so they all have similar properties. While agate is translucent and, sometimes, transparent, jasper is opaque. Most people learn to identify jasper and agate because in the sun it will look like wax. Some jasper is more of a matte looking stone and takes longer for people to identify in the field, but the waxy jasper stands out in sunlight. I have an article somewhere in my Gazette (blog) that is titled "Is that Agate a piece of Jasper" or something like that you might want to read if you get a bee in your bonnet to go hunting. Get a pic of your rocks and I might be able to tell you what they are - pics can be hard or impossible depending on what you have, but many can be identified via pic.

    Spokane isn't the worst place in the world to be stuck if you enjoy rock hunting, either.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9155472].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kurt
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Kurt - you were right - it's knapping. I know many knappers. Here in Oregon we have a hill that's made of obsidian and is very propular for both rock collectors and knappers. Obsidian isn't always black. You'd be amazed at some of the varieties of obsidian. Obsidian and flint are the favorite materials of knappers. Here's a few of the plainer stones from Glass Butte:
      While obsidian isn't always black, black obsidian is Apache Tear, which is what I like. (Athough all obsidian is good for knapping.)

      What is hard to show on a PC is that obsidian, including Apache Tear, is translucient and that one can see light pass through it, which is why it's also called volcanic glass. Some of it is like nature's "stained glass".

      If I were to hunt for rocks, I'd probably be much more interested in fossils and artifacts like arrow heads, than gems.
      Signature
      Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
      Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9155610].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

        While obsidian isn't always black, black obsidian is Apache Tear, which is what I like. (Athough all obsidian is good for knapping.)

        What is hard to show on a PC is that obsidian, including Apache Tear, is translucient and that one can see light pass through it, which is why it's also called volcanic glass. Some of it is like nature's "stained glass".

        If I were to hunt for rocks, I'd probably be much more interested in fossils and artifacts like arrow heads, than gems.
        Apache tears are just obsidian that formed in droplets. If you put them in a tumbler and polish them you can see they are translucent, but just picking them up off the ground you won't see it unless you hold them up to the sun. There's a place over in Jeffereson County that apache tears are abundant. I know a guy who drills holes in them for stringing them like beads. They can be quite pretty. I've heard rumors that the area with the tears has been closed to the public, but not there anymore so not sure if that is true or not.

        Artifacts are fun, but there's some very strict laws on them these days so make sure you know the law anywhere you go hunting. I'm not going to say that most people won't pocket an arrowhead if they come across one......I'll just say that in some places if you get caught picking up something less than legal to pick up they can get pretty crazy on you over it. In florida they actually jail people now and again for things like picking up an arrowhead or taking a jar of beach sand (actual examples).

        Fossils are pretty much the same. If you are finding non-vertabrea fossils, they are fun to find, very rarely illegal to pick up (mostly a who owns the land and allows what issue), and some can be polished to make beautiful cabinet specimens. I pick up fossils now and then if they are where I am hunting. I don't go out specifically for them, though. Vertebrae fossils are illegal to pick up - anywhere in the states, unless you have a permit and a lot of places only give permits to organizations such as universities or paleontologists. There's a fee dig in WY where you can dig fossil fish and keep them legally, though. There might be others around, but since I've never really gone out just to find fossils, I haven't looked up what's out there. The fossils I had most fun finding were trilobites. I got some nice trilobites in upstate NY.
        Signature

        Sal
        When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
        Beyond the Path

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9155783].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author candoit2
    Do you like cave rocks?

    I checked this place out last May. Puerto Princesa Underground River - One of The New 7 Wonders of Nature.

    It is advertised as one of the new 7 wonders of the world. Once you get into the cave and go down the river, the guides are pointing out all kinds of rocks. I know nothing about rocks, but if you are into cave rocks that may interest you.

    Close to El Nido and Caron Palawan which makes for a worthwhile trip to go that far rather than just to see a cave alone lol.

    Aaron
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9155493].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Aaron - I don't do any spelunking. I've been through caves so know how pretty they can be, but I hate being underground. I"m totally a surface creature.

    Some of the members of my website have gotten stalagmites and have cut them. Some are surprisingly pretty on the inside.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9155564].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Aaron - I don't do any spelunking. I've been through caves so know how pretty they can be, but I hate being underground. I"m totally a surface creature.

      Some of the members of my website have gotten stalagmites and have cut them. Some are surprisingly pretty on the inside.
      do you support the getting and cutting of stalagmites?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9163042].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by hardraysnight View Post

        do you support the getting and cutting of stalagmites?
        Depends. As far as I'm concerned there are lots of caves that humans shouldn't be allowed in at all. There are some I don't have problems with. One of the caves that one of my members gathers from is actually attached to a mining concern, so it's not like going into a cave in the wild and disturbing the life there. In a lot of places caves that are either dangerous or that contain sensitive life forms that can be easily endangered are now gated off.

        I think that anywhere you go for the purpose of collecting anything should be done with a mind on the ecology of the area. On my website you will never see open discussions of any location that has never been published in a guidebook. If some of us want to hunt unpublished areas, we send info back and forth via pm. Most of the public reading - and even most members have no idea where or when some of us are going out.

        While hunting can be a healthy hobby, and some towns near published info get a lot of tourist trade from amateur hunters, there are people that go in and loot, dig holes and leave them, throw trash, and in some cases, have taken in commercial equipment and harvested commercially illegally. We do our best from keeping people like that from our favorite spots to keep the environment intact and keep the land open. When people go in now and start causing damage, the gov or whoever owns land just shuts it down to everyone. It's a sad state but you can thank shows like "cash and treasures" for a lot of that. They try to make people think that anytime they pick up a mineral with a name on it they're going to get rich, so you get armies of idiots out there where they have no business being.
        Signature

        Sal
        When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
        Beyond the Path

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9163081].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Khemosabi
    Wow, thank you Sal!!
    I have been collecting "pretty rocks" my whole life . I have no idea what they are!
    When I'm done today, I'll wonder around with my camera and get some pictures.

    I don't have any pictures of sapphires, and I'm not sure we have them here. I just suspect we do. My house has a creek in the back and when it slows down from all the run off, I love to go gold panning. In the creek are an abundance of colored rocks. I'll take some pictures of some.

    I will go to your website! This is something I could really get into.
    Thanks again Sal!

    ~ Theresa
    Signature


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9156858].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Khemosabi View Post

      Wow, thank you Sal!!
      I have been collecting "pretty rocks" my whole life . I have no idea what they are!
      When I'm done today, I'll wonder around with my camera and get some pictures.

      I don't have any pictures of sapphires, and I'm not sure we have them here. I just suspect we do. My house has a creek in the back and when it slows down from all the run off, I love to go gold panning. In the creek are an abundance of colored rocks. I'll take some pictures of some.

      I will go to your website! This is something I could really get into.
      Thanks again Sal!

      ~ Theresa
      Not a problem. I love to talk rocks. Around your area there's a lot of crystal gemstones. If you're finding blue (might be why you're thinking sapphire?) it could also be aquamarine, beryl, or tourmaline. Not sure about Kyanite, but That's over by Wallace, so possibly. You also have quartz crystals and amethyst up there, just to name a few things. Mica Peak sound familiar? If you like garnets, I've heard there's some nice sized ones up there. There's also some sort of green crystal there - I believe it's probably tourmaline from the description.

      Anyhow - get some pics and I might be able to tell ya what's what.
      Signature

      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9157004].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Khemosabi
    Thanks again Sal.

    When I get done with my day, I'll resize my pictures so I can fit them on here for you to see. I will also be looking at your website!

    ~ Theresa
    Signature


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9157047].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      I have spent decades building one of the largest and most beautiful collections of rocks known to man. If you take your flashlight and peer into my ears, you'll be astounded at what you'll see.

      Sorry. I just couldn't pass that up. Cheers. - Frank
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9157910].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

        I have spent decades building one of the largest and most beautiful collections of rocks known to man. If you take your flashlight and peer into my ears, you'll be astounded at what you'll see.

        Sorry. I just couldn't pass that up. Cheers. - Frank
        Gee I hope they're not leavitrite (leave it right there).
        Signature

        Sal
        When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
        Beyond the Path

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9158240].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    I used to like going out and finding rocks for my aquarium, and I still go rock hunting now and then to look for unique rocks for our flower garden areas. I even bought a tumbler a few years back but never used it. I should probably try to find that and try it out.
    Signature

    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9163440].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
      Heysal, there's coal around here in Pennsylvania. I don't think that counts much for collecting since it apparently never got squeezed into diamonds! Around here, you are more likely to find a stray coin somewhere than any kind of mineral.

      I've always wanted to go to places down south like Crater of Diamonds state park and try my luck at finding something. Maybe some day.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9163518].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Opal knapping looks cool:
    https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...4EXSuEm05RRdvn

    ---------------------

    These days, is most rock hounding done with permission on private property?
    Signature

    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9163514].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author joseph7384
    Sal, those are some really cool looking rocks, here in Chicago we don't have rocks like that.

    We have gravel rock, river rock, crack rock, coke rock and meth rock.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9163588].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by joseph7384 View Post

      Sal, those are some really cool looking rocks, here in Chicago we don't have rocks like that.

      We have gravel rock, river rock, crack rock, coke rock and meth rock.
      You have fossils in your area, Joseph. If you go north along the lakes, there's also other minerals - and Lake Superior agates. In more southern areas of your state there are geodes, quartz crystals, etc. Agate locations aren't as vast back east as they are here, but there is something to find in every state. I will admit, though, that the die-hard rock hounds do move to where there is more opportunity for their hobby, or they travel a lot. You don't have to go too far from Chicago to hunt some awesome stones and crystals.
      Signature

      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9163821].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
    Banned
    My pops and I used to do a bit of rock and fossil collecting, buying & selling. Here is pretty nice piece that sat in my dad's sunroom for many a year. He ended up selling it to my uncle for a decent chunk of cash. It seems that rock and fossil collecting runs in the family a bit. Back in the day I used to do some tumbling and polishing but it's been a long time.





    While I do have some nice fossils, petrified wood, and rocks around here --> for the past couple of decades I have collected mainly rocks for my aquariums. For the most part this consists of finding nice pieces of limestone from local rivers & reservoirs that makes great cover for my African Cichlids. The mbuna love to graze on the lush green algae that grows on the limestone when the tank water conditions are perfect.



    Cheers!

    -don
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9174003].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    That's a NICE geode, Don. Did one of your relatives go to MX or SA and dig that up themselves or did they buy/trade it? I'd love to be able to go hunting in SA or MX some time.

    Limestone would be great for an aquarium - neutralizes acids like urine, etc. I bet your fish are happy.

    April - coal isn't anything. Graphite is diamond. Not sure why people insist coal is the source. Of course graphite is basically nothing but processed coal in the long run anyhow. I've always wanted to go to Crater of Diamonds park, too. So many rocks, so little time.

    Dennis - you'd be surprised the wealth of different minerals worth hunting that Wisconsin has. I'm thinking the biggest problem out there is probably open land to hunt them on. You might find some interesting fee digs in your area, though. Fee digs are claims/mines that charge a small fee for hunting. These mines aren't underground so there's no having to deal with the danger of tunnels. Also - areas where glaciers laid down a lot of rock are pretty good places to find lake superior agates up there.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9174440].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Ah Jeez, Jody. I didn't realize that. Got a spare room for rent? LOL.

    Where I am right now it's mostly agate/jasper/petrified wood. Every now and again I go south a ways to where I can do some crystal hunting but don't get much of that these days. Would love to be where I could dig some nice crystals again.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9176561].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    Sal, check this map out. Look at Ontario, compared to the US.

    Ontario Rock & Mineral Collecting

    :p
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9176615].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      OMGosh, Sal!

      Reading through this thread made me realize that I never showed you the rocks I ended up scooping out of Lake Superior last August!

      I'm not the greatest photographer, but here is the picture and yes, before you ask, they are wet, lol!



      See, I told you they were just probably a pile of rocks.

      P.S. You can't really tell in the pic, but the far left rock, second row, that little dip in the rock looks like sugar crystals if that helps any...


      Terra
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9176831].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

        OMGosh, Sal!

        Reading through this thread made me realize that I never showed you the rocks I ended up scooping out of Lake Superior last August!

        I'm not the greatest photographer, but here is the picture and yes, before you ask, they are wet, lol!



        See, I told you they were just probably a pile of rocks.

        P.S. You can't really tell in the pic, but the far left rock, second row, that little dip in the rock looks like sugar crystals if that helps any...


        Terra
        Don't want to be disappointing - and I could be wrong because that pic isn't the greatest, but it does look like a pile of rocks.
        The one with the little bowl-like scoop is quartz........the little sugary crystals are real small quartz crystals. Rock coated in small crystals is call drusy.
        Why don't you just keep those on hand and I'll give them a better look when I get there in July - and yes, it's still on for sure now.
        Signature

        Sal
        When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
        Beyond the Path

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9177284].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
          Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

          Don't want to be disappointing - and I could be wrong because that pic isn't the greatest, but it does look like a pile of rocks.
          The one with the little bowl-like scoop is quartz........the little sugary crystals are real small quartz crystals. Rock coated in small crystals is call drusy.
          Why don't you just keep those on hand and I'll give them a better look when I get there in July - and yes, it's still on for sure now.
          Not disappointing at all as I expected as much. If you remember, the only day we set aside to go rock hounding, it started pouring down rain, so I just scooped up some rocks as we were headed back to the car. I didn't really get to hound at all. But some of those rocks have bands and some have little windows like that have some larger crystals too.

          But, I still have them and I'll keep them til you get here. And Hurray! It's a sure thing! Let me know the dates ahead of time so I can put in for some time off. Sweet!

          Terra
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9177523].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
          Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

          Don't want to be disappointing - and I could be wrong because that pic isn't the greatest, but it does look like a pile of rocks.
          That's the thing about rocks, one doesn't have to be anything special to anyone else if you find beauty in it. I found one this morning when I walked the dog. It's mostly black, with a white cap. One edge of the cap has a well defined line, while the opposite side does a nice gradient fade from white to black. And, it's already polished smooth and shiny thanks to mother nature. It's my latest little desktop decoration.
          Signature

          Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9178011].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Ah, LOL, yeah thanks Jody. That makes me feel better somehow, huh? Ya know that when things go south here in the states, I'm coming up there.........and if I come up there, you're gonna be stuck going on some field trips. Now you've done it.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9177263].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Exactly, Dennis. Any rock you find pretty or interesting has it's place in some way. I pick up things when I'm out that aren't gonna make me money or be display - but they are good "driveway rocks". I usually have a rock garden or just toss anything not up to display or lapidary standards in the driveway. People visiting love to look at them, and they are free to take them in "party favors" style if they want them. While it's awesome finding things that make good displays or great jewelry, it's the love of the hunt and finding things you really like that are the important factors in the rock hunting world. Fresh air, exercise, being in nature, and pretty treasures to enjoy. It doesn't get any better than that.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9178688].message }}

Trending Topics