dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Post by dtcmor on Oct 29, 2006 10:47:02 GMT -5
On a couple of recent trips to a dam on the river near where I live, I found a bunch of rocks that I originally thought to be some kind of Flint. After getting them cleaned up, I am not so sure as to what it really is. It has the feel of Flint, but not quite as hard. There also seems to be alot of fossilized material mixed in. The colors are brilliant when wet, (almost like the Flint Ridge Flint I have), and seem to be arranged in a camouflage pattern throughout the rock with yellow, green, brown, red, purple, blue and grey all mixed into each one. I was wondering if it was some kind of local agate, or if it was truly flint or chert in a lesser form. I had even thought it was some kind of fossil agate, but it is fresh water and that usually is found from ocean deposits right? The stuff is brilliant when wet, but has a really dull look (like 60/90 stage stuff fresh out of the barrel) when dry from being churned up in the current below the dam I suppose. It still looks like it will tumble very well. I have a few smaller pieces going right now to see. I have collected about 30lbs of the stuff in two 20 minute trips, and there is more that gets washed up on the flats every time the water recedes after any flooding. I might be able to collect enough to offer some pieces here in the near future for anyone interested. These pieces here are from 2"-5" in diameter. Any help would be appreciated. Dave
|
|
yogi
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2006
Posts: 175
|
Post by yogi on Oct 30, 2006 15:42:29 GMT -5
That is some very beatuiful stone! I would say it is a flint, from the fracture edges and the discription of the texture. Due to the formation of chert and flint it is possiable to have fossils within them (at times in pre history, the mid west was a sea). Are there limstone deposits in your area? Flint and chert can very greatly in texture, depending on the amount of silica grains and the size of the grains, the most compact forms are prized by nappers. Love to see the polished stones, Bill
|
|
dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Post by dtcmor on Oct 30, 2006 23:56:39 GMT -5
Ohio ranks #1 in the nation for limestone production. Much of the stone that I am finding has a thin layer on top that is different than the rest. It makes it hard to tell where the agateized part starts and this other starts. Some of the grey pieces look just like limestone gravel material, but with a little bit different texture to it. I have also noticed that when I move the box around in the garage, the stones have a very distinct "tinking" sound, like a box full of nails or something similar. Since these pieces are being washed up below the turbulent water of the dam, I assume they have come from parts of the river itself and is the reason for the fossil material mixed in. Most of the river bottom is shale and bedrock layers and may be producing these effects also from so many different layers. I am planning another trip to the spot as soon as the water levels go down from all of the recent rain and high water. I hope to get enough to be able to offer some to members here. Maybe someone here with some better skills than me could make them into something beautiful. I am soon on my way to getting a Workforce and can't wait to see what they look like cut. If I get enough of it I will be offering it in small lots or maybe trading for something else in the near future (for postage only).
|
|
yogi
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2006
Posts: 175
|
Post by yogi on Oct 31, 2006 9:28:49 GMT -5
Flints and chert forms in limestone which is a sedimentary rock that can be rich in fossils. Somewhere I read that flint was fossilized sponge, due to the high silica content in sponges, (but I fine this hard to believe.) At any rate, you should get some real nice finished stones from that material. You will really have some fun with the Workforce, its a real rush cutting into a rock and finding a cool pattern inside that you couldn't see on the surface. With a saw, a grinder and a tumbler, you can turn out some very nice pendents and doodads! Heck, you don't even have to have a grinder, it just takes a little more time in the tumbler. Bill
|
|
dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Post by dtcmor on Nov 3, 2006 23:56:34 GMT -5
Well, it took me a couple of days to do some cross-referencing on the Internet, but I am finally able to say without hesitation that these rocks are Chert Nodules. Although the sight below says that the almost identical pieces came from "out West", the look, colors and textures are all definitely the same. This link has been posted many times before, but it always comes in handy for places and id's and I thought I would revive it. Check the home page for more. geology.about.com/library/bl/images/blchert.htm
|
|
horsinaround
spending too much on rocks
If you don't lick rocks...you ain't cool
Member since November 2006
Posts: 315
|
Post by horsinaround on Nov 22, 2006 8:03:03 GMT -5
HI there, We found lots and lots of these type of rocks along the railroad tracks in our area in Wetumka, Ok. I thought they were a type of flint. we found some with crystal for mations in them as well. I have many of them in my tumbler now ..can't wait to see how they turn out. How do I post pics up here ..I am not computer savy and do not know how to put the url in for my photos. any help would be nice. Thanks y'all Steve & Betty
|
|
|
Post by cina on Nov 22, 2006 9:35:54 GMT -5
If you use the Reply button, The Insert Image [/img] then put the url in between the tabs. Hope this helps Cina
|
|
dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Post by dtcmor on Nov 22, 2006 17:14:41 GMT -5
Steve & Betty, You will have fun with the flint. It does take a long time to tumble - especially in the 60/90 stage but you will get good results with some patients. For posting pictures - go to Photobucket.com and you can upload pictures into an account and then just copy/paste the URL to your post. It is a free sight and the one that most here use to post their pictures. Good luck!!
|
|