elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Nov 28, 2009 15:33:53 GMT -5
This is my first posting of photos, so if the photos don't go right, I'll try try again. (The pink shovel is really 6 feet long for size comparison...my daughter wanted to add something to the photo...) These are Dulcote 'Geodes', or Menlip Potato Stones from near Wells, England. A dealer who frequents the local county fair and gem/mineral shows occasionally puts these out on display and I've become addicted to them. They apparently aren't digging them anymore. They came from a limestone quarry from a clay layer. The specimens were placed in a huge vibratory tumbler to remove the clay. This created the smooth exterior of the stones. Though geodes were common from this site, I've only come across nodules. See cover story of Lapidary Journal, Sept.1977 for additional information.
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Nov 28, 2009 16:35:02 GMT -5
pretty cool!
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Post by Toad on Nov 28, 2009 17:41:01 GMT -5
6 foot long plastic shovel - bet you can make some killer sand castles with that. Great rocks.
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Nov 28, 2009 18:50:11 GMT -5
Sept. 1977,
I`ll fine that issue. Later, Though in your photos i only seen Geode`s, Solid geode`s.................
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 28, 2009 19:13:23 GMT -5
Very neat nodule Lowell! You might want to resize your pics a bit smaller though as that size pic will kill dial up users *S* Now where are the pics of the monster dino bones and don't forget them closeup shots neither......Mel
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mossyrockhound
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Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Nov 30, 2009 18:54:32 GMT -5
I like the reds in those nodules. Since these are out of a limestone (CaCO3) quarry, are the nodules calcite, or quartz?
Garry
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 3, 2012 14:45:54 GMT -5
Just had to revive this thread. I received this in a package yesterday from John, stillalive. It's a Dulcote /Mendip potato stone which has the remnants of pink Barite crystals on one side. Don't think I'll cut this, but rather keep it as an intact specimen.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2012 16:13:42 GMT -5
When you were talking about potato stone I thought you were talking about a real potato stone like this one. lol Pretty hard to tell it from the real thing. Jim
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 3, 2012 16:20:32 GMT -5
LOL. Got a few of those out in the shed.
These are the original potato stones from the Mendip Hills, Somerset, England. Got their common nane of potato stones from farmers that use to plow them up in their fields. Better recognized as Dulcote or Mendip agates.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2012 16:48:54 GMT -5
If you have some of those stones out in the shed maybe you can tell me what it is. I do not want to cut it or chip a piece off because it just looks too real and I can fake people out with it. Fun rock. Jim
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 3, 2012 16:55:02 GMT -5
When I get time, I'll dig one out and slice it in half. Don't really think there will be much inside, but who knows?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2012 18:32:52 GMT -5
Yeah, I figured that the outside was much more interesting than the inside. I had another smaller one that I was going to cut but I can not find it. Maybe somebody ate it. Jim
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Post by tandl on Jul 6, 2012 18:24:11 GMT -5
Cool- Lowell . i doubt the shovel ;D
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Jul 6, 2012 20:21:39 GMT -5
I swear - pink shovels are all the rage in California these days!!!!
Don, I've never seen an untumbled Dulcote before. The Lapidary Journal article I noted mentions that most were rough tumbled to knock off all the outer matrix. Both of mine (and the two on sale at Knott's Berry Farm for those interested) are smooth on the outer side.
Awesome specimen,
Lowell
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rockingthenorth
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2012
Posts: 1,637
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Post by rockingthenorth on Jul 6, 2012 20:27:33 GMT -5
love the colors
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 6, 2012 20:33:11 GMT -5
I'm going to see if I can get one more. I'll leave one whole, and cut and polish the other.
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