|
Post by rockmanken on Mar 24, 2009 15:12:15 GMT -5
Several have commented that this is not coral. Have 4 buckets that were labeled T B Coral. Here they are. sorry for the fuzzy pictures. O.K. Let me know what it is. Ken
|
|
mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
|
Post by mossyrockhound on Mar 25, 2009 10:24:24 GMT -5
Looks like you've got a nice mix in there Ken. Probably won't know for sure what you've got till you whack an end off. Garry
|
|
|
Post by kap on Mar 25, 2009 10:41:55 GMT -5
Sure looks like Tampa Bay Coral to me that is found in South Ga. and North Fla. Keith
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Mar 25, 2009 13:29:04 GMT -5
That looks like coral. If you are getting fortification agate out of those that is amazing. Most coral (mineral replacement) has the coral markings in the agate. The other picture in question look like Condor agate from Patagonia. There is n old guy out here that sells "panama agates". Beautiful and diverse varieties. When I pinned him down about it he told me he was stationed in Panama in the Air Force and collected along the Panama Canal. He was picking up ship's ballast rock from around the world. If your coral looks like coral on the outside and fortification on the inside I'd guess the center of the coral rotted away and the agate filled the cavity much like petrified wood limb casts.
|
|
|
Post by texaswoodie on Mar 25, 2009 13:51:28 GMT -5
Yup Ken, that's TB coral. I have some and most of mine is hollow with an agate rind. They are like geodes and have crystals and calcium deposits on the inside. To find some that is as solid as yours is great!
Curt
|
|
|
Post by Woodyrock on Mar 25, 2009 16:16:42 GMT -5
Ships ballast is a whole other story. Marine archaeologists use ships ballast, as an indicator of place of origen, or at least the origen of the last port in which ballast was taken on. English flint turns up in the most amazing places, most of which originated from ships sailing from the UK with woolen cargoes (a common UK cargo out bound). I used to dive ballast dumps for antique bottles, always found in association ballast. One of the ballast dumps here in Washington has a lot of onyx from China, and English flint. Woody
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Mar 25, 2009 16:37:13 GMT -5
I have whacked the ends off and I have found hollow with agate rinds like geodes, and found solid fortification agate like posted in cabachons. It is a mixture. The solids cab up like laguna. Thanks for the comments, Ken
|
|
|
Post by Bejewelme on Mar 25, 2009 17:46:48 GMT -5
Ken: 4 buckets of Tampa Bay Coral?? That stuff is so expensive!!!!!! You know you sent me some and I sliced the one, and it definately looks like the tampa bay coral I have see, there was one tiny hole filled with druzy. The latest one you posted looked like laguna or condor, who knows maybe a stray piece of lagnuna was thrown in there? The matrix on the TBC, is very different then that of a laguna!!! So I guess that is one way to tell? They all make a darn nice cab!!! I am scared to cut the other one, I dont want to mess it up!!!! I am also scared to cab the slice since it is round!!! I am not so good with round!!!
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Mar 25, 2009 20:33:07 GMT -5
Amber, just jump in with both feet. There is more where that came from. The only difference with round and square is 4 corners. Cut it. Maybe some more will be at your door tomorrow. Who knows. If this stuff is laguna, it all has the same coating as TBC. Most has a druzy hole in it. Ken
|
|
Tigger
freely admits to licking rocks
The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers is I'm the Only One!
Member since January 2008
Posts: 896
|
Post by Tigger on Mar 29, 2009 18:42:39 GMT -5
I have seen TBC that was solid inside and red in color. Looked like agate to me. Guess it depends how old it is and where exactly it came from. ( North or South) I have some from Ken and Donna also that I am afraid to cut cause it's so hard to come by. I've thought about it a few times though, LOL.
Tigger
|
|