Lapidaryforum.net
Let's Rock => Rockhounding Tips, Maps, Trips Etc. => Topic started by: Windenzee on June 01, 2018, 12:12:30 AM
-
Am off to Rome for a 3 day break next weekend and was wondering if there were any special stones I should be looking out for whilst there?
-
Rome Oregon yes.
The other Rome not so much.
-
Snakeskin agate maybe 10 miles to the west of Rome itself before US95 turns south at the Burns junction (start looking for turn-offs a couple miles west of the state park on BLM land south side of the road). AFAIK, most other stuff is a ways south on 95 more toward McDermitt. There used to be some nice fire opal that comes out of Jordan Valley, but it must be on private land, as I've never heard of any open digs. Still might be worth looking around public land more toward that area.
-
Skip Rome, Straight to the Limb cast dig for pink / Lavender agate.
Burns dry lake bed for agate.
-
It's Rome in Italy not in the States.
-
Europe in general has few things that rockhounds would deem collectible. They have a group in Italy that collects slabs of marble which closely resemble picture jasper from Oregon. There are interesting rocks as evidenced by " pietre dure" which is the finest rock mosaic work ever in the world.It was typically inset in fine furniture.I would imagine that museums who have an emphasis from 1600 on would have fine examples.Gemstones are rare enough there that eclogite has been marketed as a regional gemstone in Italy. It is interesting but only marginally so.As a bead maker I know Rome has been important in the past in marketing mid-eastern stone beads especially those from Hebron , a very important bead marketing and production center for the region. Monolithic stones used in architecture especially columns are a great way to see a diversity of stone and wonder how they were processed. Porphry columns especially can be very beautiful and they are very hard rock, difficult to work.There is a lot of rock to take in visually there but not much to bring home except in memory. Have a great time.
-
Again, you will have to deal with most land being private. There are some parks just north of Rome, which is a volcanic region. I've chatted with folks who have collected within the large Sacrofano Caldera (https://www.mindat.org/loc-2079.html) (particularly around Monte Cavalluccio (https://www.mindat.org/loc-22746.html)) for minerals. Some finds in gravel quarries and parks in that region. There is a mineral museum at Sapienza University (https://web.uniroma1.it/museoagm/) in Rome that might be worth a visit, and perhaps they could give you some tips as to collecting locations.
-
Thanks for the info. I think I will be just sightseeing (enough of that in Rome) and enjoying my time away from the home grind.
Thanks again.
-
Have a great time. Lots to see (and eat)!