peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
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Post by peachfront on Feb 4, 2011 11:33:54 GMT -5
I bought this already polished into a bowl with its lid in April 1990 at a gem and mineral show in Pennsylvania. Cost was reasonable, stone-cutter was an old boy who thought the material was from Mexico but perhaps wasn't sure. Seems like someone has sent me a link, and more than once, with a library of Mexican agates/geodes on it...but I'm not finding it in my bookmarks right now. Any further information or guesses about this one are welcome... I'll be able to do more research on Monday and (I would hope) reach my own conclusions but for now I guess I couldn't resist this "brag" post. Wherever it may be from, it's a beauty. Sorry about the wet marks on the outer shell of the "bowl," I dust with a wet rag, and apparently it was wetter than I realized...Also, there's an obnoxious light spot on the "lid"...but I hope you get the idea.
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 4, 2011 12:44:35 GMT -5
I'd lean more towards Brazilian myself. The exterior looks more correct for a Brazilian than for a Mexican nodule....Mel
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Feb 4, 2011 13:33:24 GMT -5
Our it is from Uruguay. It`s hard to tell them part at time. I have 4 ton`s out back mix`ed with Uruguay. Brazilians most often have a flat base.
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elementary
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Post by elementary on Feb 4, 2011 18:32:51 GMT -5
Geodes, Nature's Treasures, by Zeitner and Cross discuss 'Agate Pots' from Salto do Jacui' Brazil on page 71 and 73, with a photo on page 72. pg 71 "Informally called agate 'pots' by collectors, these agate geodes usually have a thick banded agate rim enclosing a hollow center of drusy quartz crystals." pg 73 "The upper one third of the geode is cut to reveal its inner sparkling beauty. Both pieces are then sanded and polished and ultimately sold as a pair." There's more, but the specimen looks a lot like yours. links: www.mineralworld.de/html/achat_engl.htmlwww.sailorenergy.net/Minerals/DwarvesETAgatesEggsMain.htmlLowell
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 4, 2011 19:42:43 GMT -5
Yeah, according to the Zenz agate book the Parana basaltic formation has geologic connections in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina so similar agate can be found in all three countries....Mel
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elementary
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Post by elementary on Feb 4, 2011 22:55:51 GMT -5
I wish I had the Zenz book....then i could know all the cool information too!
One of my wife's friends is back from Germany and I had her read me the BODE (publisher's) website - which mentions the Agate book won't be reprinted, but there is a different, shorter book that was done as a compromise. I'm ordering it as a late Christmas gift.
Lowell
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Post by parfive on Feb 5, 2011 0:33:14 GMT -5
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
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Post by elementary on Feb 5, 2011 10:05:46 GMT -5
Rich,
Thank you for the heads up. I bought that book as soon as it came out. It's great, but its definitely a supplement to the first one. It has a ton of material, but the first one covers all the classic sites (well, most, I guess. Mel is critical of the U.S. coverage - which is the conversation that led to the Agate-Jasper Index last year.)
6 years ago, when the first one was published, I was just starting this hobby and didn't realize how strong the pull was going to be, so I turned down the book (AAARRRRRRGGGGGGGH!!!) The Gem Co. offered a copy of Agates 1 last year at auction, and it went for close to $500. I bid $425. Being an old book collector, I have little trouble dropping a wad of money on a book if I think it is rare enough. This one is rare and right in my 'collection zone' in that it would add oodles to my knowledge of a field I love to read about. The other maddening thing is that Mel moved right before I realized how much I wanted to read this book, so I even missed an opportunity to browse it.
There's also right now a CD-Rom series that is being offered. I'll post a thread asking if anyone has ordered these things.
Lowell
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Post by parfive on Feb 5, 2011 13:36:23 GMT -5
Got a few books around here too, Lowell. Outweigh the rocks by a mile.
The one I can’t get my hands on is Brad Cross’ Agates of Northern Mexico. I spoke to him a few times at the Wisconsin agate show and completely forgot to try and weasel a copy out of him.
Rich
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 5, 2011 21:11:50 GMT -5
Rich, the Cross book is a good one too...Mel
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
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Post by peachfront on Feb 6, 2011 17:14:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the help, guys. Apparently it IS one of these Brazilian "agate pots."
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rockhound97058
freely admits to licking rocks
Thundereggs - Oregons Official State Rock!
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Post by rockhound97058 on Feb 6, 2011 22:51:31 GMT -5
Yeah Johann Zenz's First Agate book is not being reprinted. The last used "signed" copy I seen sold for over $500.00. I flaked out and never did buy a copy of the first book. Although Johann sent me a copy of a book which in a way was a updated version of #1. Not near as large of a book though.
Agates #2 is still available and Johann is planning to release #3 in another month of two. I know Johann fairly well and I was lucky enough to submit photo's and information for a 2 page spread in the 3rd book. So those of you who get the book can see my ugly face LOL!! Also If I recall the #3 will focus more on Jaspers.
The book "Geodes - Natures Treasures" - Good Book, however I laugh at his Thunderegg Section. He has several things labeled incorrectly.
Another book which a buddy if mine produced is a book on Thundereggs. However it's only published in German. Was written by Dr. Peter Woerner - good friend of mine who dug rock in Oregon with me for a week. It's a large book, with tons of photo's! - I actually sent him around 35 photo's of my collection which he used in the book. Just wish I could read it lmao!!
I have thought long and hard to produce a book about Thundereggs like the one Daniels did on Petrified wood, however I don't have the editing software or the bank roll to produce a book like that. Maybe one day I'll hit the lottery!
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elementary
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Post by elementary on Feb 7, 2011 2:31:35 GMT -5
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rockhound97058
freely admits to licking rocks
Thundereggs - Oregons Official State Rock!
Member since January 2006
Posts: 760
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Post by rockhound97058 on Feb 7, 2011 18:18:39 GMT -5
Yes I do believe that is the book. I'll have to find mine just to make sure the cover is correct, but it sure looks like it. - The Thunderegg book should still be available as well - I can email Peter and find out.
Also I just got a email earlier today from a buddy and it gives information regarding the formation of thundereggs from Geode Kid. For years the Geode Kid has published his book via CD Rom, now another fellow has the rights to it to publish a spiral bound version of it. It states the price is $125.00 + $10.00 shipping.
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 18, 2011 13:16:13 GMT -5
Its sure nice looking though.........
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