elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Aug 20, 2010 20:03:32 GMT -5
From Queensland, Australia. This nodule was actually was done first, before the other two I posted recently, but it's been sitting at the county fair for the past couple weeks. Has great shadow that I can't get on film. Probably one of the top agates I've ever been able to work with. View from 3 sides:
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stoneviews
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,864
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Post by stoneviews on Aug 20, 2010 20:50:22 GMT -5
That is Super Sweet!!
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Aug 20, 2010 21:11:29 GMT -5
Lowell, that is a stunning agate! Great job on the finish too!
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Post by Toad on Aug 21, 2010 4:24:53 GMT -5
Fantabulous.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Aug 21, 2010 9:58:11 GMT -5
Holy Moly! I didn't know they still had county fairs, but if there's any justice in the world, that agate took "Best in Show." That's just amazing.
Curious to know if you traveled to Queensland collect the stone yourself or if you traded/purchased it. I travel a lot but rarely -- never in the past few years -- have I had time to get to any collecting sites. I was in Madagascar in 2007 and get constantly asked about it -- but time did not allow me to get to any collecting sites at all or even near them.
I am thinking of going on a birding trek to Queensland at some point and have been wondering if I can work in any "rockhound" time or if it's just impractical. Hmm.
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Aug 21, 2010 11:21:09 GMT -5
peachfront
I wish I found it in Australia. I was in Barstow Ca visiting Diamond Pacific after romping around the desert. They have bins of material for sale above the parking lot. I found this - and about 20 others covered in dust and dirt. I didn't know what they were at the time, but I washed it off at the truck and id'd it. I couldn't go back up that day - too long a drive home, but a couple weeks later I made it back and turned that bin inside out - getting 15 or so more. The price was $2.50 a pound. SteveHolmes jokingly asked for some nodules on my last post so I've sent him a few. I'm curious to see what he does with them.
As for the fair - I only submitted a case. It was in the misc. category because I had included some polished material I had bought. My subject was Agates from across the World. I came in third. I scored perfect in material and display, and originally in labeling, but there was a three way tie - so they docked me two points for a couple labels that were not centered perfectly. They docked one of the other displays one point for some infraction, and the display next to me remained perfect. And it deserved to win. It contained 15 excellent high grade Baker eggs - professionally lapped, containing amazing colors, crystal centers, etc. I heard the owner paid $1300 for the contents while in Deming. She bought them at the Geode Kid's store. I met her and her husband (president of the Conejo Gem and Mineral Club near here) and they are great people. They, in fact, have been to Australia and their tale made me jealous. I also had to borrow a case from the fair and it had fluorescent lights - and my next door competitor had a light system specifically tailored to their custom made case. You looked in my case and said "wow, that's pretty stuff." You looked in her case and said "WOW! Holy Mother of Agates!"
But if was a fun experience.
Lowell
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 21, 2010 17:43:38 GMT -5
Really nice agate Lowell and you really put the work in polishing it to form too. Appears pretty darn fracture free too which, in my experience, is kind of uncommon for Queenies.....Mel
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Post by bobby1 on Aug 22, 2010 11:07:03 GMT -5
That's a real stunnung agate! The banding and colors really make it stand out! Bob
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pporky
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2007
Posts: 1,932
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Post by pporky on Aug 23, 2010 6:07:31 GMT -5
A very well presented Queeny, If it wasn't 2000 miles away and I had a good 4wd and time I would love to go and get some but thats life. great job..Bill
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Aug 23, 2010 20:01:12 GMT -5
Sensational Lowell! That is truly a top-notch Queenie...and like Mel said; No fractures...quite uncommon. I can't wait to cut some of the nodules up Lowell....recieved them today. Steve
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Aug 24, 2010 9:11:52 GMT -5
That is indeed a beauty!!!!
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Post by frane on Aug 26, 2010 8:17:38 GMT -5
Beautiful! How did it do at the fair? Did you have a collection on display? Fran
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