Topic: West Texas Weigh-in (Read 2712 times)

WingnutAndAPrayer · « **on:** February 15, 2025, 07:11:33 AM »

It's definitely bouquet from West Texas, but which ranch? Closest I could guess is Woodward. Has small voids here and there. I rubbed butter on it, heh heh

WingnutAndAPrayer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2025, 07:20:26 AM »

Macro, because the lens refraction is annoying in wide shots and throws the plumes into blurry land.

irockhound · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2025, 05:11:36 PM »

Having collected west texas bouquets for years, I would hesitate on Woodward. Although it did have some gold plume is was not common and reds and blacks were the norm. The walker ranch next door to the south had more of the gold but again still not in great supply. Looking at the other things going on in the slab would tell me its from another ranch Possibly below Marfa like the Singleton or another ranch along the mesa's There is a lot of plume agates all around Alpine and Marfa and with so many ranches its hard to say which, however, like I said Woodward and Walker had some distinctive looks. I have a number of posts on West Texas plumes on the forum to see if you can see any similarities.

WingnutAndAPrayer · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2025, 07:57:38 PM »

Thanks for the feedback! I will continue researching and definitely dip into the archives. Are Bishop and Singleton the same ranch, by chance? Seems like there's been a lot of renaming with different owners but they have very similar looks in the material.

WingnutAndAPrayer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2025, 03:03:35 PM »

There was a gal who closed down her rock shop a few years ago here that had a scad of St John's. Could it be?

WingnutAndAPrayer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2025, 08:20:10 AM »

I went back to try and find evidence of the St John theory. The owner of the shop that I cruise is very sick and isn't available for ID help. Yesterday I dusted off this Lil cutie and think it looks very akin to St John.

irockhound · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2025, 11:06:57 PM »

That would be Teri if you are referring to her Alpine Motel that did indeed have rocks but not really a rock shop, it was more of a Museum with gifts on the front end. By Here, is that Alpine or? The Singleton I have heard could have been the Bishop. The agate fields At the Singleton ran through multiple ranches even before the Singleton was sold and became parts of 3 other ranches. The Ranch to the North of Singleton I believe had the best material as the best hunting ran into their fencing but I have never collected on that ranch. Matt Dillon from I think Houston has more knowledge about the early ranch names and subsequent name changes. There was also a ranch that bordered the 67, was NW of singleton which is well down the 169. That ranch hosted field trips during the SCFMS show in the 60's. It could have been that the ranch used to exist from the 67 across to the 169.

Enchantra · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2025, 11:30:20 PM »

Well that rock made me drool. Great find!

WingnutAndAPrayer · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2025, 08:47:05 AM »

Thank you, Enchantra. I couldn't believe the variance in just this single slab. It's got so many nice solid spots and I could easily get a few unique pieces from it. Once this cold snap quits I'll be plugging in the saw and this will be hitting it, for sure.

Steve, by here, I mean Bastrop Co.
I believe the woman's name was Lorene. A few days ago I went to Teri's site and noticed she not only has a full schedule slated for this spring but also has reduced her entry prices. A road trip hasn't looked this good since finding out the o6 was open a few years back. Don't think that lasted long and I missed the train, so to speak. I'll keep sniffing around and see what I come up with, info-wise. Thanks for the name drops.

The local rock shop here is 'Bastrop Goldsmith Silversmith'. They had a brick and mortar downtown but fell on hard times about 6 years ago and moved the business to the home property. Very much a compound, but lovely folks, all around. Nebraskans! The family is not doing well and I don't think my meager offerings will do much, but I'd hate to see them fold.

irockhound · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2025, 12:00:28 AM »

Thanks for the clarification of location. For the ranches still open there are is a little info to share. The Ritchie is pretty much in town, There is plume there but hard to find and mostly in the Yellows. The Laremore is basically float that has come down the valley for years from other ranches and can be extremely spotty. It is best collected after a good rain and the downside is if you find an amazing piece you won't find another like it because of the deposition style. The East Needle peak, well if you are on the first trip of the year you might do okay but it is picked heavily and not a lot to be had if you are in later trips. I have not been to the newest ranch that Teri has open but looking at the examples she has shown I didn't see anything that would have made my bag. All that said, Still a fun place to go and it's roulette on what you will come back with. I have had tremendous luck in the ranches and count Teri a good friend and always support her efforts and kindness.

Aaron very occasionally has trips but for the one day on a good ranch I can't drive from California there and justify the trip.

I'm going to drop a couple pics from previous posts as a tease for what you might find out there.

WingnutAndAPrayer · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2025, 01:10:02 PM »

Those are hot tips and even hotter rocks. My mom is a Sul Ross alumni and is probably going to make it over there sooner than me. I've been heavily considering buying one of Teri's buckets of unsorted rough and having them bring it back for me.