NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 14, 2011 21:37:54 GMT -5
I got this piece at the auction last summer. I figured it to be laradorite from the flash in it, but was unsure because of the rock structure itself. The lab I have from madagascar is a little different. It seems softer and more almost translucent. Unsure about it, I put it on the shelf and figured I'd get to IDing it some day down the road. So after finding a few nice rocks while out deer hunting, I have a little more ambition to go hounding once the snow melts. Yesterday I picked up the "Midwest Gem, Fossil, ans Mineral Trails - Great Lakes States" book from the library. It seems the Wausau Wi area has some nice stuff to be found, and the book touched on the local moonstone. This led to me looking it up online and finding a few pix. Turns out I think I ID's my rock... This is very exciting to me, as this gorgeous rock was found less than 2 hrs away! I'm going to do more research and hopefully find where it's location is. I read of a quarry that's closed and filled with water, but I'm hoping there's more around. Maybe here in Wisconsin we do have some rock to rival all that awesome western agate! My quest begins... Nate
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Post by Toad on Jan 14, 2011 22:04:17 GMT -5
I doubt that you'll rival western agate, but that moonstone is great nevertheless. Great find, and way to capture the flash.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 14, 2011 22:11:48 GMT -5
True Todd, their agate is fantastic. It's exciting to know we have more than limestone near me though!
I'm not holding my breath on finding some of this either, but it'll be fun trying!
Nate
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Post by drocknut on Jan 15, 2011 1:54:22 GMT -5
Best of luck finding some more of that cool moonstone, may you find the "glory hole".
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Post by Toad on Jan 15, 2011 8:31:32 GMT -5
If you do find more, I'm sure there will plenty of interest here
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Post by NatureNut on Jan 15, 2011 8:45:00 GMT -5
Hey Nate, find some parks nearby that have streams and check them out. When there is moonstone in an area, it's usually around and streams are a great way to spot the stone. Make a visit to Sun Vale County Park, Isle of Fem Park or Rib Mountain St Park. That would be your best bet for a scouting mission. Then if you find some, you can check out the collecting rules in the parks or really look for a place to collect. Sure looks like orthoclase to me. In my collecting spot in PA, there is lots of the orthoclase in one creek that is pretty in it's own right, but 5 miles down the road, there is some that is pink with that silver. It would be worth check out. Does Wausau have a natural science center? Maybe they have some samples and/or someone you could ask about it. Just some suggestions... Jo
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Post by tandl on Jan 15, 2011 10:47:22 GMT -5
that is a awesome stone Nate , Great find , very cool !!!
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jan 15, 2011 12:31:31 GMT -5
Really nice stone! Looking forward to seeing some slabs & cabs from it, too!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 15, 2011 21:44:59 GMT -5
Jo, I'm not really well versed in geology. I did look up orthoclase, and the description sounds right. Thanks for the info and for your hounding area ideas. Rib mt. is one place I want to check out, especially after the spring thaw. I will be doing more research on the area, hopefully finding areas to hound. The problem is private land, which is most of it... I did find one guy's website with some of this rock shown on it. He lives about half way to Wausau from me, so I'll have to get in touch with him. I hope he's willing to share at least a little info with me.
Ted, I got this piece at an auction in a bunch of pails of rock I bought. Wish I knew who got it.
Todd and Diane, thanks. If I do find the "glory hole" lol, I'll be sure to share my findings.
Donnie, I don't want to cut this rock, but I want to cab some of it! If you look at the 3rd pic, on the right there's a fracture running through it (it's in the 2nd pic on the bottom of the rock too). This fracture looks to go at least 3/4 around, so I think I could gently persuade it to let that side go and get a few cuttable pieces from it while preserving the rest as a specimen... Maybe someday...
Nate
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