Lapidaryforum.net

Let's Rock => Rough and Slabs => Topic started by: irockhound on April 14, 2017, 02:15:17 PM

Title: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: irockhound on April 14, 2017, 02:15:17 PM
I am always looking for Bouquet I almost put the Black Plume on the back burner.  These are some of the slabs from the recent trips.  I get a lot of black plume so this is a very small sampling of what you can pick up easily on the ranch if you go.  I especially love the plumes with Hematite in them as they sparkle with you cab them.  Horse Canyon was the first plume I had collected with this type of plume but Marfa hmmmm  so much to love, so little time.
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: socalagatehound on April 14, 2017, 04:32:43 PM
SWEET!!!!
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: kent on April 14, 2017, 05:42:56 PM
Excellent !! Thanks for the photos !
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: GatorGal on April 14, 2017, 09:54:01 PM
These are all gorgeous!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: gjones on May 10, 2017, 11:53:25 PM
Sweet rocks from heaven!!!!    :Worthy:
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: Gergis on May 11, 2017, 07:53:12 AM
Oohh! Gimmie gimmie!!

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: ToTheSummit on May 11, 2017, 02:59:47 PM
Holy cow!  I love plumes, and those are stellar!
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: Steve Ramsdell on May 13, 2017, 08:28:44 PM
Your words weren't a preparation for the photos.  Real nice material.  Does it polish well?
Steve
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: irockhound on May 14, 2017, 10:19:16 AM
They are fantastic to cut.
You know I never really thought about the differences between the colored plumes and the black but now that you made me think for a second there is a huge difference.  The black plume nodules cut great and no undercutting or pitting.  The colored are a different story.  With the colored plumes you can get wide disparities in how silicated the plumes are and had some that are porous in the plumes and others that are solid.  I am a simple rockhound and don't profess to know a lot of the science behind their creation.  So does the composition of the plume change in color much like an oxidation process that then also changes the quality of that plume?  I just know that I never find a porous black plume but often do in the colored plumes and it is usually the closed to the rind that the colored plumes may have issues.
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: freeformcabs on June 13, 2017, 05:20:59 PM
I already like this post last month, but I like it again now. Thanks for sharing. Lovely examples.
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: RadiantRocksCT on June 14, 2017, 05:11:39 PM
I hadn't seen any Marfa with the Hematite before,  they are beautiful.   Great plume pictures.    I would love to have a box of this rough material to cut.    I got to stop in West Texas a long while ago and my son and I went to Trey Walker's ranch for a couple of days.   Man that was fun.    I've heard he's passed away I hope you folks that live out that way can still go collect there.

Thanks again for sharing those great plumes!!!
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: irockhound on June 14, 2017, 09:33:58 PM
Trey passed away and the ranch was sold to a rancher who will not allow collecting so far.  The ranch below him is the Walker and although they were holding trips sometimes twice a year they have been spotty and cancelled last minute several times after people made plans and reservations etc.  Right now the Singleton Ranch where these and the colorful Bouquet Agates can be found is still open and also some of the ranches with occasional plume but not known for them  are still open.  The areas to collect in that part of West Texas seems to be dwindling.  I would suggest if you want a trip I would plan this Fall or latest next Spring.  The Singleton is a blast and if you know what you are looking for there is a lot of colorful plume to be had.  Pinks, Reds, Green, Black, Gold, Yellow, Tan on and on.
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: RadiantRocksCT on June 15, 2017, 06:34:41 AM
Steve,
Thanks for the insights.    No trips for me in the near future, too much going on back here in CT.   I checked out your website (rockhoundingusa.com) you have some awesome material.    I highly recommend that other folks reading this should check it out!!

If I manage to plan a trip to West Texas i will definitely shoot you a note.

Thanks again
Raul
radiantrocksCT.com
Title: Re: Marfa Black Plume
Post by: Asianfire on June 15, 2017, 08:21:07 AM
Absolutely stunning. Love the way they look.