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Let's Rock => Identifications of Materials => Topic started by: olgguy on June 05, 2016, 10:19:33 AM

Title: Australian Agate?
Post by: olgguy on June 05, 2016, 10:19:33 AM
Picked up a jar full of small slabs at an estate sale. Appears to be 4 different types.
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: lithicbeads on June 05, 2016, 11:50:04 AM
they do look a bit like agate creek nodule pieces.
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: Slabbercabber on June 05, 2016, 01:24:40 PM
They all look like condor to me.
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: olgguy on June 05, 2016, 01:42:01 PM
I think I will take them to "Agate Expo" and see if I can match them up with some known pieces. I am only two hours away.
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: Allen on June 05, 2016, 05:15:19 PM
Can't be sure, only been chasing Agate Creek agate for 45 years.

They look a little different to me, I'm with Slabbercabber.
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: olgguy on June 05, 2016, 06:14:02 PM
Where is "Agate Creek"? I am in Illinois and don't get to on great field trips. Sounds like hunting Fairburn.
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: Stonemon on June 05, 2016, 06:37:34 PM
I'm thinking down under........
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: lithicbeads on June 05, 2016, 07:25:39 PM
Way down under.A lot of restrictions on collecting there and the rough is typically modest in size but it can be wonderful beyond words when cut well.
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: johnjsgems on June 06, 2016, 03:00:37 PM
Condor is from very southern end of Argentina.  If this material is from way south in Australia it speaks for continental drift theory.  Never seen the Australian material but looks just like Condor to me.
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: Asianfire on June 06, 2016, 03:23:13 PM
There are two Agate Creeks, as far as I'm told. The one in Australia which has a huge diversity of material but is best known for rather solid pastel colours. And another in the Americas. At first sight, I would join the folks saying that those slabs are not from Australian Agate Creek.
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: gemfeller on June 06, 2016, 03:54:47 PM
I think I will take them to "Agate Expo" and see if I can match them up with some known pieces. I am only two hours away.

Good idea.  Agate Creek is in Queensland, Australia and produces gorgeous and in some respects distinctive colors and patterns.  Having cut a fair amount of it I wouldn't rule it out completely but your images seem to me more like Condor or even some fine nodular material from northern Mexico.

If you want comparisons simply do a search for Queensland Agate Images.     
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: Orchids9 on June 07, 2016, 02:54:07 PM
I would say all Condor also,
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: olgguy on June 08, 2016, 05:51:34 AM
GEMFELLER, Thanks a lot, that's a fantastic site!
Title: Re: Australian Agate?
Post by: gemfeller on June 08, 2016, 08:12:53 AM
GEMFELLER, Thanks a lot, that's a fantastic site!

My pleasure.  Hope it helped.