Michael
starting to shine!
Member since April 2011
Posts: 39
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Post by Michael on Apr 19, 2015 16:26:24 GMT -5
I'd like to know if anyone can easily tell the difference in source location of Montana Agate; Absaroka Mountains, Big Horn Mountains, Yellowstone River, Big Horn River, Powder River, Green River and any of their tributaries?
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,676
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 19, 2015 16:42:01 GMT -5
Many people on here can...................Most of my agates from Montana are from the Yellowstone River....Fire away on questions...........
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Michael
starting to shine!
Member since April 2011
Posts: 39
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Post by Michael on Apr 19, 2015 17:32:55 GMT -5
If that's the case, I'd like to be so educated.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2015 18:37:16 GMT -5
If that's the case, I'd like to be so educated. That's not a question. what would you like to know?
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Michael
starting to shine!
Member since April 2011
Posts: 39
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Post by Michael on Apr 19, 2015 20:06:21 GMT -5
What are the differences in Montana Agate from each of its source locations; such as; Absaroka Mountains, Big Horn Mountains, Yellowstone River, Big Horn River, Powder River, Green River and any of their tributaries?
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 20, 2015 10:05:29 GMT -5
Mostly colors and the formation of the agate itself....Some people mind argue the question and (or) the answer,but in my opinion,the best agates,petwood and jaspers come out of the Yellowstone River.. Google the "why there is a Yellowstone tributary" and the old volcanoes that started it.. Also the glacier movements that pushed rocks into other parts of the country,like Idaho and Washington,plus Oregon and Wyoming... Now there is a great education on information that you could read about... Big Horn has nice agates to,don't get me wrong-different minerals in a different area,form different kinds of agate and (or) other rocks,as so the same with Absaroka,Powder River,Green River,etc,etc............. Read read read..........It's there and very interesting too......
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Post by drocknut on Apr 20, 2015 11:15:45 GMT -5
Fossilman covered it well. I do know that in general what people call "Montana Agate" is typically the material from the Yellowstone river area that is also referred to as Montana Moss Agate although IMO it is a dendritic and/or fortification agate rather than a true moss agate. It seems Tom Harmon started popularizing calling it Montana Moss Agate and the name stuck. There are however many different types of agate in the state of Montana. The area around Bear Canyon in eastern Montana has black and white fortification agate that is in small nodules and hard to find but less well known. Also there is Dryhead Agate, in the Pryer Mountain range, another fortification agate with shades of orange similar to Teepee Canyon Agate. I have collected agate along the Yellowstone river that is considered "Prairie Agate" and it has some cool pastel colors and even fortifications in it. In central Montana there is White Earth Agate that has lots of different colors in it and also what the people there call "snakeskin" agate although it is more plain browns. There is blue agate in an area west of Helena that is private land so not many have that (Avon Blue Agate). There is scarce red agate near Helena but site is more known for jasper and closed to collecting now. I'm sure there are more kinds of agate in Montana but those are the ones I've had experience with personally. Here are some pictures of my Montana collected agates: Prairie Agate from Yellowstone river "Montana" agate White Earth Agate Red agate in Jasper - yes this is my specimen but I've seen the picture posted on other rock sites (just didn't want to bother with taking credit for it) "snakeskin" agate from near Butte, MT I don't have any pictures of the Bear Canyon or Dryhead agates but here are online links to information. www.dryheadagate.com/forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/58241
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Post by gingerkid on Apr 20, 2015 11:56:20 GMT -5
Great info, and WoW, those are awesome Montana agates, drocknut! I am not surprised that someone has been using your photo without giving credit to you or receiving your permission to use it.
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Post by drocknut on Apr 20, 2015 13:06:16 GMT -5
Thanks gingerkid. I have others but don't have pics of them and they are in storage right now. Yeah, I think I saw it in several places but didn't seem like anyone claiming it was theirs so no biggie.
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Post by stonesanddollars on Apr 21, 2015 16:15:31 GMT -5
I am from Oregon, and have not known what agates from Montana look like. I have really enjoyed seeing the photos that have been posted, and what part of the state they are from. When I go on trips, I like to plan around places to look for rocks. We have many that look like "Montana" agate.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,676
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 25, 2015 9:38:08 GMT -5
Diane,nice collection!!! Thumbs up I have many fossils that have been posted online without my permission,but they aren't claiming they are theirs..(So I guess I'm cool with that).. "Stoneanddollars",what part of Oregon are you from? I live in the Dallas area,close to Salem.........My home state is Montana,have lots of education on Montana agate and a bunch on stock now..(My own private use-LOL).. When we go out there to visit family,I always hunt the Yellowstone River and bring back goodies...To the point-Some wild stuff comes out of Montana-petwood,agates,jaspers and etc.....
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
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Post by panamark on Apr 25, 2015 10:43:37 GMT -5
those are really nice Diane. I was appreciating all the half-circle scuffs on the surface of the first two rocks. Evidence of rocks that spent a lot of time rolling and getting pounded and squeezed by tons of other large free stones. Neat geology.
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