A few macros of an odd coral

[quartz]

In some places the overburden is a couple feet thick to get to the lava, most places maybe a few inches. The area is quite flat, little evidence of flowing water. The lava is full of sunstones too, but most are relative smalls, cracked up by the pressure of the lava as it cooled and solidified. The lava is broken up during the processing operation, as there is good stuff to be found within. One of the miners we met said they break everything down to roughly baseball size, and may even hit that.
Thanks for the links grayfingers, we have too much fun hunting the stuff and tinkering w/it, haven't gotten into the science much.
An interesting explanation of the geography involved in the coral search, pays dividends to do some homework, thanks.
Larry

[jamesp]

Mar 19, 2014 15:10:48 GMT -5 quartz said:

In some places the overburden is a couple feet thick to get to the lava, most places maybe a few inches. The area is quite flat, little evidence of flowing water. The lava is full of sunstones too, but most are relative smalls, cracked up by the pressure of the lava as it cooled and solidified. The lava is broken up during the processing operation, as there is good stuff to be found within. One of the miners we met said they break everything down to roughly baseball size, and may even hit that.
Thanks for the links grayfingers, we have too much fun hunting the stuff and tinkering w/it, haven't gotten into the science much.
An interesting explanation of the geography involved in the coral search, pays dividends to do some homework, thanks.
Larry

So is the sunstone below the lava or on top of it ? I see how the hot lava fractured the sunstone in the chunks.
Real high temps had to fracture/effect it too.

[gingerkid]

Not sure, James, but think the sunstones may be found in the lava flows (matrix)?

[quartz]

The lava layer is full of sunstones, that is what is broken up during excavation or at the processing/screening area. There are good sized ones in the lava, but under it in what's called the green layer, that's where the big ones and colored ones are usually found. Under the green layer is a "red layer" [red, very old lava], nothing in it. The green layer is a layer of fairly soft clay-like material that also varies greatly in thickness. The stuff screened out of the crunched up lava is screened down to 1/4", the smalls [say maybe <=4ct.] are sold by the bucket. We didn't have enough opportunity to really get into sizing and sales with the couple of miners we met. The mtl. on the surface has weathered out of the lava over time.

[pghram]

The two coral slabs are incredibly beautiful.

Rich

[jamesp]

Mar 20, 2014 11:12:53 GMT -5 quartz said:

The lava layer is full of sunstones, that is what is broken up during excavation or at the processing/screening area. There are good sized ones in the lava, but under it in what's called the green layer, that's where the big ones and colored ones are usually found. Under the green layer is a "red layer" [red, very old lava], nothing in it. The green layer is a layer of fairly soft clay-like material that also varies greatly in thickness. The stuff screened out of the crunched up lava is screened down to 1/4", the smalls [say maybe <=4ct.] are sold by the bucket. We didn't have enough opportunity to really get into sizing and sales with the couple of miners we met. The mtl. on the surface has weathered out of the lava over time.

Vein orientations = digging in most cases.The green vein must have been influenced by the lava layer in producing the sunstone in some fashion.

[quartz]

I would agree, the study of this not much different than your study of the 90-110 foot layering.

[jamesp]

Mar 23, 2014 0:34:56 GMT -5 quartz said:

I would agree, the study of this not much different than your study of the 90-110 foot layering.

When artifact hunting topos used to come in handy. Flat spots just above flood level around creeks and rivers and presto. You could score.
Rocks that are marine/aquatic related are often tied to a water line. I suppose rocks related to a lava flow can be traced by a path of the lava.
It is simple down here Larry. So much is flat and settled from long ago. Out your way mountains and plates rose up. Lava flows, ancient lakes,
quakes. Can make things complicated and 'theoretical'. A big open area loaded with fine materials is plenty good enough for me. No questions asked.
There is little info on where to go here. Collecting is not as popular I guess. Kind of have to scout on your own.

[jamesp]

Mar 20, 2014 9:07:19 GMT -5 gingerkid said:

Not sure, James, but think the sunstones may be found in the lava flows (matrix)?

Yep Jan. Looks like the green layer just under the lava is the treasure zone. Better if it was above. Guess it makes Quartz dig thru the layer to make him earn his treasures.