Lapidaryforum.net
Let's Rock => Rockhounding Tips, Maps, Trips Etc. => Topic started by: irockhound on November 20, 2017, 01:14:54 PM
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Hi all. I have been busy (and a bit lazy) posting the finds from the trip to see the Eclipse. I posted separately the large log find and some of the fossil sponge. This is the rest of the material I collected on the trip with the exception of the Topaz. Since I kept giving the Topaz to people all along the trip I came home with little. The 2 couples who broke down in their motorhome near Jeffrey City and the Grandfather who was visiting his first grandchild I met at a restaurant along with kids, waitresses and even the rangers in one of the Wyoming State parks all got to have some Topaz Keepsakes. I didn't really need more I was so lucky the first couple times I went there better to share the wealth.
The trip started with a 112 degree stop in Mojave on the way and then straight to Topaz Mountain. I dug Topaz for a day and then moved over to Green River to collect Pigeon Blood Agate and Coprolites. I beautiful Gopher snake caught me off guard while collecting the PBlood Agate. and I spent one day on that material. I came home with some very large very high grade Pigeon blood as you can see from the pic of some of the large pieces. The next morning I decided to try a couple canyons I have had luck in the past. I was looking for more of the Lemon Yellow Wood I found there but came up dry. I was hunting the coprolites and after a few hints in the main wash they led me up a side canyon and there they were in clusters dotting the hillside. I did really well. After this I moved up to Wyoming to meet my friends and we went to Blue Forest. First night with only a couple hours to dig I hit the big log. Next day digging maybe 2 feet away I hit a cast of almost all blue agate with 3/4" walls and the base was solid with wood floaters. I picked up a bunch of other wood and limbs and did well for the shorts time there.
We then went to shot the eclipse which was absolutely awesome. While in town I saw a lapidary saw in a guys yard and introduced myself and he turned us on to the Fossil Sponge location which we only hit for maybe 2 hours but came up with some real winners. From there we moved down to Jeffrey City and after finding the looking for Jade was going to be a much harder and longer hunt we decided to hit the Sweetwater agates for a day. I got some beauties. And of course the last morning walking around (!!without my snake chaps on and wearing tennis shoes!!) I almost stepped on the Prairie rattler.
A most memorable trip and loads of great material to cut. Blacklight pic is taken in our bathroom with a UV flashlight to show the green in the sweetwater agates. I just noticed i missed putting the tray of sponge slabs.
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Nice post. I still have a little pigeon's blood around and it is one of the nicest roughs to look at in hand , great color , translucency and inclusions.
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You did really well and found some beautiful rough. That'll keep you busy for the winter. :icon_sunny:
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You seem to know all the best collecting spots. Glad you lucked out with that rattler! It looks like you'll have lots of slabbing/cabbing fun ahead. Nice finds.
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Rick, let me know next time you come up the hill and i'll send you home with some.
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Rick, let me know next time you come up the hill and i'll send you home with some.
You've got a deal. Thanks.
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Gorgeous material! Sounds like quite a trip, and glad that rattler encounter turned out well.
What blacklight do you use?
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It was made by phileex. I'll add the link here but on amazon it says currently unavailable. Very strong and well built and inexpensive. I think I only paid around $10. for it and very happy with it. You might be able to find it someplace besides Amazon/
https://www.amazon.com/Ultraviolet-flashlight-Blacklight-Currency-Detector/dp/B00J98P2YI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
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I just found and ordered one on EBay. Just do a search for " Phileex 395 nM 51 UV Ultraviolet LED flashlight Blacklight." There seem to be lots of them available for under $10 delivered.
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Yep they are an awesome deal and very handy in the field.
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I enjoyed reading about your adventures. Very nice material.
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Looks like you won the home run derby on this one! Excellent finds and an eclipse too! :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:
Craig