rockinmom
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2007
Posts: 481
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Post by rockinmom on Jan 17, 2007 19:38:53 GMT -5
This is Lavic Jasper. Does anyone know where this comes from? Thanks. Tammy
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jan 17, 2007 19:59:11 GMT -5
I sure do- a place down in the Mojave desert in southern California, just south of the Cady Mountains called Lavic siding, I think it used to be a train water/coal station, but now its just a dirt road crossing a railroad track in the middle of nowhere. If you can find it, you can park the car and start walking around and picking nice little pieces of red and yellow jasper that just litter the ground. ^^^ these GPS coordinates should get you in the neighborhood I think big pieces like those that these slabs came from are getting a bit scarce. Here is a much smaller piece I collected and cabbed up last month, its about 12 x 18 mm
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 17, 2007 20:43:55 GMT -5
Tammy: The turn off is on the south side of Hwy 40 about 42 miles or so east of Barstow. Used to be huge boulders of fine jasper and agate at the site. Like Rally says, it's been picked over but it's still heaven for the tumbler or cabber as theres lots of good smaller hunks left, especially after a big rain storm tears down the washes. One thing to watch for though is the whole area is directly adjacent to a bombing range to the south which is poorly fenced off. It is patroled sometimes and the soldiers can get a bit peckish and even sometimes make you leave the area just outside the fences. I've sat there and watched them bomb and it probably isn't to wise to be right up against the border at those times anyway *L*. If you go there to hunt, you'll easily find lots of boldly marked brecciated, banded and spotted jasper but be sure to watch for little lumpy looking nodules with white weathered lines on the exterior. They don't look like much till you chip or cut them but this is usually indicative of fine moss or plume on the inside. Also, pieces with lots of white to blue chalcedony are usually more highly agatized and better cutting. The jasper is beautiful and contains fine areas for cabs but can have lots of voids or softer areas that require you to cut around them or use a filler. Pisgah Crater, a small volcanic cone, is right next door to and is always worth a looksee too...mel
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spacegold
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2006
Posts: 732
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Post by spacegold on Jan 17, 2007 22:46:22 GMT -5
You guys trying to start a stampede? Wonder why no one has staked a claim on the area.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 17, 2007 23:59:45 GMT -5
spacegold: Lavic siding is actually a "rockhound claim". I stumbled across the marker one time and took it out to read it. There are quite a few of those in the west where clubs stake out an area for the use of all non commercial rockhounds. Actually though it's unnecessary because BLM has definate limits on all commercial collecting and defines rough parameters for hobby collecting in it's rules....mel
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rockinmom
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2007
Posts: 481
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Post by rockinmom on Jan 18, 2007 13:27:55 GMT -5
Wow! Thanks for the info. That cab is really beautiful. So, Lavic Jasper comes in many different looks? Maybe one day I can make my way out there. I'm just itching to get in on a good roundhound field trip. Tammy
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 18, 2007 13:30:31 GMT -5
Yup, Lavic Siding material is perhaps the most variable material in California. Comes in almost every color and pattern you can imagine!....mel
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 18, 2007 15:10:51 GMT -5
rockinmom: Here's a few pics of typical Lavic rough. Real bright light so I'm sorry the pics are not great *S* This is the commonest form, sort of a red ribbon jasper with chalcedony. It polishes pretty well due to all the agate. This is Lavic Moss and plume. The piece on the right shows the white markings that are what you look for and the big hunk on the left is broken to show the moss and plume. Finally, this is the brecciated material. The colors are beautiful but it can be difficult to cut due to the areas of mixed hardness, vugs etc.
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rockinmom
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2007
Posts: 481
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Post by rockinmom on Feb 4, 2007 14:01:06 GMT -5
Wow, those are beautiful. Thanks for the pictures. Rocks are so awesome! Tammy
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