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[lithicbeads]

  This rock is unusual even for here. I find these with regularity but they are uncommon. They are composed of hornblende , the dark component , and feldspar . There is no quartz in this rock only the silica in the composition of the feldspar.It is not uncommon to have some of the feldspar blebs looking quite pink from the rhodonite component. Most of the time the individual crystal aggregations of feldspar and hornblende are too large , inches across at times, to get  both into a cut stone in a pleasing way. This piece seems to be an exception and it has great contrast which I attribute to the fact that there seems to be little brown hornblene . This is worth trying to cut.. I photoshopped the pictures so that the rock colors and contrasts are accurate despite the background variations in this suite of posts.

[lithicbeads]

I forgot to mention the green component in the feldspar which is likely chlorite.

[ScarlettOSara]

I love it, do you have any beads or cabs you have made from this before so you can show me please:)

[Itsandbits]

You'd love the Thompson and Fraser rivers if you got to the rocky areas Frank, such a wide variety of closely patterned material like this. I used to cut quite a bit of it but there is no interest in the rock community here.

[lithicbeads]

I will cut an example very soon. No interest in the rock community here either but with people who like ethnographic beads these stones can make them interested if you tumble finish the pieces so they are lumpy bumpy and old looking.

[Itsandbits]

You mean like these three amulet sized river cobbles?, outside two are nephrite and the inner one is idontknowite; all the tumbling is already done :) The coin is a quarter. put your screen on 400 and take a look at the center one; character +, all the stones are dry and as they came out of the river; no treatments.

[Enchantra]

I'm with Sara.  I want to see what this looks like when cut up.  The inside must be as unique as the outside.   

[Minkos61]

That is a cool one Frank

[lithicbeads]

The center one looks like an orbicular gabbro.

[drnihili]

I'm pretty sure the left one is a potato that sat in the fridge too long.  I've seen a lot of those.

[Itsandbits]

I'm pretty sure the left one is a potato that sat in the fridge too long.  I've seen a lot of those.

LOL

[ScarlettOSara]

LOLOL potato:)

[Minkos61]

Hey Lloyd when you lived in P.G. did you do much hounding on the Fraser and Nechako ? I know about Agates on the Nechako and I've heard of pet wood on the Fraser. Just wondering if you know of any good spots to look down there!      

[Itsandbits]

Sorry Ernie; wish I had but I spent most of my rec. time fly fishing back then. It's a pretty sandy basin for a long ways but I remember there being some rocky areas and the rivers should have something in  them. I hear there is some precious opal up at Burns Lake too.

[Minkos61]

Yup have heard about the opal to going to try and get up there this year. Thanks Lloyd for the info.