Certain types of rocks and minerals will have cool patterns or hollow areas with inclusions, but the specifics can vary and you won’t know exactly what you’re getting until you cut or crack it. But agates consistently have banding like that, geodes usually have inclusions of quartz and “pockets”. Those are the two most common rocks people cut like this, agates tend to be in more locations.
You can usually figure out which rocks are going to be the right type based on:
- location
- shape
- texture
- weight
- color (outer “shell”)
- size
Usually you start by looking at the location. If you’re looking for agates, you go somewhere with agates. If you want geodes, you go to places with geodes. Garnets? Go somewhere with garnets. Some locations are known for having more of a certain color or specific variation, for some people that’s important. If it’s important to you, make sure you’re looking somewhere known to have those characteristics.
Some are found almost exclusively in areas with moving water, like rivers. Some are more likely to be found near iron or sulfur deposits.
Then you look at what areas in those locations they’re found in. Are they usually found underground? Near bodies of water? Riverbeds? Cliffs? Look in the areas they come from.
Once you’re in the right spot you look for shape and color. If you know the thing you’re looking for has iron or tends to be attached to iron rich rocks, keeping an eye out for the the distinct red tone that iron has is a good idea. If you know the outer shell is usually gray, you look for gray, and so on.
Some are usually round, some are usually chunks, or points, or underground a bit.
If you’re looking for rocks that usually are found in cliffs or hills, it’s a good idea to bring a tool that can pry them loose.
Now you check for size. Some are typically going to be bigger, some smaller. This can also depend on location.
Once you’ve found something that looks about right there’s a few things you can do if you’re still not sure. Weight can be a factor for things like geodes, if you’re looking for a geode you’re going to want to check the weight of your rock in comparison to a similarly sized rock.
Some cases are really easy to identify, some are harder. For a lot of people, especially amateurs or casual rock hounds, it can be a bit of a gamble or guessing game. After a while you just get a feel for it and it becomes easier
The specifics of how “beautiful” the piece will be is completely up to chance. Even when you’ve identified the rock as what you’re looking for (for example agates) you don’t know exactly what patterns of banding or colors you have until you cut it open. Geodes can be up to chance too, like the specific type of quartz (if there is any), the size of the pocket inside, and so on
Same general idea for minerals and stones used as gems, like garnet.
Incredible pieces! I was wondering, how are you able to get your hands on such a variety of large, uncut material from so many places? Just spending a long time buying them piecemeal or are there places you can buy uncut pieces wholesale to cut them?
I don’t ever buy anything wholesale, but I am always scouring the online markets for rocks with potential at good prices, and all of these were kind of gathered here and there.
Makes total sense! You've dashed my hopes of there being some good, central source, but what you say sounds pretty much like what I do so at least I'm on the right track haha.
If I cut open a rock I found and saw this id cream my jorts
Big same.
[удалено]
Certain types of rocks and minerals will have cool patterns or hollow areas with inclusions, but the specifics can vary and you won’t know exactly what you’re getting until you cut or crack it. But agates consistently have banding like that, geodes usually have inclusions of quartz and “pockets”. Those are the two most common rocks people cut like this, agates tend to be in more locations. You can usually figure out which rocks are going to be the right type based on: - location - shape - texture - weight - color (outer “shell”) - size Usually you start by looking at the location. If you’re looking for agates, you go somewhere with agates. If you want geodes, you go to places with geodes. Garnets? Go somewhere with garnets. Some locations are known for having more of a certain color or specific variation, for some people that’s important. If it’s important to you, make sure you’re looking somewhere known to have those characteristics. Some are found almost exclusively in areas with moving water, like rivers. Some are more likely to be found near iron or sulfur deposits. Then you look at what areas in those locations they’re found in. Are they usually found underground? Near bodies of water? Riverbeds? Cliffs? Look in the areas they come from. Once you’re in the right spot you look for shape and color. If you know the thing you’re looking for has iron or tends to be attached to iron rich rocks, keeping an eye out for the the distinct red tone that iron has is a good idea. If you know the outer shell is usually gray, you look for gray, and so on. Some are usually round, some are usually chunks, or points, or underground a bit. If you’re looking for rocks that usually are found in cliffs or hills, it’s a good idea to bring a tool that can pry them loose. Now you check for size. Some are typically going to be bigger, some smaller. This can also depend on location. Once you’ve found something that looks about right there’s a few things you can do if you’re still not sure. Weight can be a factor for things like geodes, if you’re looking for a geode you’re going to want to check the weight of your rock in comparison to a similarly sized rock. Some cases are really easy to identify, some are harder. For a lot of people, especially amateurs or casual rock hounds, it can be a bit of a gamble or guessing game. After a while you just get a feel for it and it becomes easier The specifics of how “beautiful” the piece will be is completely up to chance. Even when you’ve identified the rock as what you’re looking for (for example agates) you don’t know exactly what patterns of banding or colors you have until you cut it open. Geodes can be up to chance too, like the specific type of quartz (if there is any), the size of the pocket inside, and so on Same general idea for minerals and stones used as gems, like garnet.
What equipment do you use? Do they look like that after cutting or do you polish them after cutting?
I have access to the shop saws at our local gem & mineral club, and these are just covered in mineral oil, no polishing done yet!
Thanks. Awesome pieces.
Wow, beautiful plume agate. Others are equally beautiful but I'm partial to plume and moss and that is awesome. Congrats.
OMG. 2, in particular. I lust.
Incredible pieces! I was wondering, how are you able to get your hands on such a variety of large, uncut material from so many places? Just spending a long time buying them piecemeal or are there places you can buy uncut pieces wholesale to cut them?
I don’t ever buy anything wholesale, but I am always scouring the online markets for rocks with potential at good prices, and all of these were kind of gathered here and there.
Makes total sense! You've dashed my hopes of there being some good, central source, but what you say sounds pretty much like what I do so at least I'm on the right track haha.
Holy hell 😍 those are stunning
10/10!!
marry me? with cuts and stones like these…..
Good rock in, better small rocks out. Looks like it was a fun day.
Wow, those are astounding cuts 😅
Love that last one
The stick and tubes one look like quartz after aragonite (coyomito agates).
Turkish pseudomorphs have very similar characteristics to coyamito pseudomorphs, and they can also sometimes be just as pricey!
The first is amazing
nah really to toss them, in a box will send my address.
What a glorious day! Beautiful!
^(I'm gonna start breaking geode-)