Shain Mayer

Most of the good Druzy, Pink Lace, Gray Lace, Black Lace agates, and Orbicular jaspers are up and out of the wash areas. One most hike into the maze like canyon lands above the main Willow Springs wash tor eally find siutable cutting/collecting materials.  This hike was done about 5 weeks ago after the nice winter snow on Fourpeaks, so there was allot of water and moss growth in these back canyons.  We kiked over a small saddle were you can collect nice druzy, and down into a backside canyon to Willow Springs Wash. We found allot of semi large viens of agate, mostly whiteish, some pinks and grays as well. I brought some home and have one piece that might have plumes in it, and is rather clear agate.
 The last shot was at the bottom looking back up from were were came down. Just more as a mental marker for myself the next time i go over that same saddle.

Now this is total bush waking country folks, its always best to wear pants in this area no matter the time of year due to allot of brush and catclaw.  This whole wash was loaded with catclaw and a real pain in the but.  But for a rockhound in the Goldfields, its no problem and part of the going about.

I also found this nice druzy examples this trip which is also the main reason to sahring this site and going back years over years. There is allot of Quartz Druzy plates in mostly white color everywere. Sometimes Grey, sometimes rare Pink like this piece here. These make killer cabochons!

Other roughs i brough out on this trip have yet to be cut and proven, but i will share in time and if they are worth sharing.




Ok, so this last week i got back up there with a friend from the bakery and went a whole new way around to explore and find more rock hunting prospects.  This next group of photos is from that trip. It was started at the same parking lot, but we headed south and around a large butte with a goal on the backside called the IQ Arch. This first photo is looking east at the top of the saddle, towards Weavers Needle and the frist water area of the Suppersititions.

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Labels: Agate, Apache Junction, Goldfield Mountains, Hiking, Lace Agate, Rockhounding, Superstition Mountains, Willow

In lapidary terms, that's just plain silly. But in agate like this piece of Brazil, its shows well how a natural preform cabochon shape can change when cutting. I was trying to preserve as much as the bright color as possible. And it still needs a trim before I sand it. Thanks to bob rush for the inspiration.

Labels: Agate, Brazil, Cabochon, cutting, perform

Madagascar druzy agate, a Royal Sahara, or a super blue pietersite?

Labels: Agate, cab, cutting, druzy, Lapidary, pietersite, royal Sahara

While digging in my overtook a couple weeks ago. I ran across this piece of rough. I wasn't sure it was what it is until I cut a small face to window it. WOW what a nice example.

Labels: Agate, Lapidary, rough, sagenite

Personal piece from Mexico. I real lovely color and interesting inclusions.

Labels: Agate, Lapidary, tube

 

Labels: Agate, Condor, Lapidary

This piece came to me as in, in my overstock piles. literally was washed up from a dirt pile recently. These piles have been turned at least 5 times since i have owned them. Who would a thought, almost a prefect really nice gem agate cab. The only problem, i dont think it is Montana Agate, maybe Brazil or South American? I just dont know, but it is so nice it really doesnt matter. What do you think?

Labels: Agate, Brazil, Cabochon, Montana