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Post by miket on Jan 22, 2020 11:46:50 GMT -5
Not a bad day, I collected some cool wood and other assorted agates, probably 4 or 5 bubblegums- but only one Fairburn. Showing a bubblegum and two sides of the Fairburn, the Fairburn is about 2 1/2 by 2 inches. Not my best, but still a Fairburn. And I didn't come home skunky! Thanks for looking.
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Post by captbob on Jan 22, 2020 11:53:36 GMT -5
Killer bubblegum!!
Your trip report looks WAY too cold for this Florida boy, but glad you got some nice rocks.
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Post by miket on Jan 22, 2020 11:56:55 GMT -5
Here's a better closeup pic of the patterns...
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Post by miket on Jan 22, 2020 11:57:55 GMT -5
Killer bubblegum!! Your trip report looks WAY too cold for this Florida boy, but glad you got some nice rocks. Yeah, it's pretty nice- thanks! 50 isn't cold...for January.
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Post by Peruano on Jan 22, 2020 15:39:48 GMT -5
Both of those stones are like watermelons. . . much prettier on the inside than externally. I realize the dogma is that Fairburns are most valuable when uncut but when you have an ugly duckling that shows signs of true unequaled beauty, its your duty to expose it. They have had a rough go of it in the face of natural erosion and deserve a bit of help to shine as much as possible. I have a saw that would love to prove my point. Keep on searching. . . its a free walk with not so infrequent rewards.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 22, 2020 15:52:11 GMT -5
Nice finds, miket! The pattern in the Fairburn looks like it will be just dandy.
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Post by miket on Jan 22, 2020 16:04:28 GMT -5
Both of those stones are like watermelons. . . much prettier on the inside than externally. I realize the dogma is that Fairburns are most valuable when uncut but when you have an ugly duckling that shows signs of true unequaled beauty, its your duty to expose it. They have had a rough go of it in the face of natural erosion and deserve a bit of help to shine as much as possible. I have a saw that would love to prove my point. Keep on searching. . . its a free walk with not so infrequent rewards. We have cut a few- I'm wrapping another as we speak. However, I haven't fully learned to figure out which ones are better on the inside than the outside. Some have been duds, some have been fantastic. And you know I'll keep searching. That watermelon sized Fairburn is out there somewhere...
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Post by miket on Jan 22, 2020 16:07:11 GMT -5
Nice finds, miket ! The pattern in the Fairburn looks like it will be just dandy. Thanks! Not sure what I'll do with it yet. The options are leave as is, tumble or cut. I may take a slice off of the end (the face of the stone in the first picture) just to take a peek...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2020 16:33:25 GMT -5
I realize the dogma is that Fairburns are most valuable when uncut but when you have an ugly duckling that shows signs of true unequaled beauty, its your duty to expose it. I never understood that, either. Fairburn agate is the official State Gem for S. Dakota so I wonder why it was designated as a gem if it is never to be cut or polished? Uncut pieces are interesting from a geological point of view, but unpolished agates can rank up there with some of the ugliest gemstones. Not as ugly as bezoars - but even those get the hairy rough spots knocked off when intended to be mounted or worn:
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Post by miket on Jan 22, 2020 17:25:27 GMT -5
Good point. And 90% of the best patterns on the ones that I've found have been broken, exposing the patterns inside...
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Post by RocksInNJ on Jan 23, 2020 1:16:25 GMT -5
Nice finds. Those bubblegums are always fun.
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Post by MsAli on Jan 23, 2020 8:01:42 GMT -5
I realize the dogma is that Fairburns are most valuable when uncut but when you have an ugly duckling that shows signs of true unequaled beauty, its your duty to expose it. I never understood that, either. Fairburn agate is the official State Gem for S. Dakota so I wonder why it was designated as a gem if it is never to be cut or polished? Uncut pieces are interesting from a geological point of view, but unpolished agates can rank up there with some of the ugliest gemstones. Not as ugly as bezoars - but even those get the hairy rough spots knocked off when intended to be mounted or worn: Is that kept in that egg?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2020 12:30:05 GMT -5
Is that kept in that egg? Yeah, I bought the spherical container (an old Met Museum reproduction) 40 or 50 years ago. Finally decided to get a bezoar/Goa stone for it about 10 years ago. Was thinking of getting another to sand smooth, but I doubt that I could stand the smell. Have yet to dip one into a glass of poisoned wine to see if it works
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Post by MsAli on Jan 23, 2020 12:33:21 GMT -5
Is that kept in that egg? Yeah, I bought the spherical container (an old Met Museum reproduction) 40 or 50 years ago. Finally decided to get a bezoar/Goa stone for it about 10 years ago. Was thinking of getting another to sand smooth, but I doubt that I could stand the smell. Have yet to dip one into a glass of poisoned wine to see if it works That is so cool
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Post by fernwood on Jan 24, 2020 5:34:03 GMT -5
Nice finds. I like that bubblegum.
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