Hard time finding out what this is.

[Dokie]

Edited: possible celt

Hello all! Thank you for taking time to read my thread.
I live in North Central Washington. I found this artifact on my property's driveway about 2 weeks ago. It's unlike anything I've seen before in this area. I've had one heck of a time trying to figure out what the tool is. So far the only thing I've been able to peg is that it is possibly Ellensburg Blue. Looking at it under the microscope, the entire shape has been tooled, even around the spud on the side and you can see the yellow deposits left in the tiny pits of the stone like you see on raw chunks of blue agate. Any hints or ideas would be appreciated!
Thank you so much!

EDIT: Sorry, just realized I should of put this in the "What is it?" section. Bad on my part for not doing more research before posting.

EDIT 2.O: Added a couple of photos that I cleaned up to hopefully better show the marks around the spud and on the piece itself.

 

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[oxbowbarefoot]

That's very interesting. Maybe some type of agate?

 

[Dokie]

I believe so. The odd color is what caught my eye. About an inch was sticking out of the ground.

 

[old digger]

Welcome to TNET!

Your item looks like an example of calcedony or opalized quartz. Pretty specimen.

 

[Dokie]

Welcome to TNET!

Your item looks like an example of calcedony or opalized quartz. Pretty specimen.

Thank you! Wish you could see it in the sunlight. Takes on a whole different look.

 

[quito]

from what I can see, (and the pics aren't the best) you have a very nice celt.

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

from what I can see, (and the pics aren't the best) you have a very nice celt.

The edge certainly does look intentionally ground. It's a beautiful piece for sure.

 

[Dokie]

from what I can see, (and the pics aren't the best) you have a very nice celt.

Thank you! Could not for the life of me find a name for that shape of tool. I believe that may be it!

 

[monsterrack]

Looks to be a celt and one made from a very fine stone. Welcome to T-net

 

[unclemac]

I have seen a couple of Ellensburg Blue points...the material is very hard to grind, I know a jeweler that specializes in it and he tells me he can only polish it using other lesser quality blue as grit...it is harder than other agate materials. Remember too that the blue is only found in very specific areas of Washington. More pictures would be great!

While the one side does make it look like a celt, the other side doesn't look worked at all. Nice rock in any case, a keeper.

 

[Dokie]

Looks to be a celt and one made from a very fine stone. Welcome to T-net

Thank you!! =)

 

[Dokie]

I have seen a couple of Ellensburg Blue points...the material is very hard to grind, I know a jeweler that specializes in it and he tells me he can only polish it using other lesser quality blue as grit...it is harder than other agate materials. Remember too that the blue is only found in very specific areas of Washington. More pictures would be great!

While the one side does make it look like a celt, the other side doesn't look worked at all. Nice rock in any case, a keeper.

I've seen pictures of those. They are gorgeous! As a crow flies, we're about 30 minutes north of Ellensburg. It's definitely an interesting stone. I work with microscopes and I snuck this in to take a peak, there are directional markings all over the piece that make it look like someone tinkered with it. How funny would it be if this was a practice piece for a kid. Lol. =)

Finally got some sunshine here, I'll get some photos in sun up and hopefully be able to catch the marks. =)

 

[Dokie]

Let me know if there's better angles, closeups, or anything of the sort. Being new at this I feel like a flailing duckling. Lol.

 

[scepter1]

I would say that's a nice agate / chalcedony that has been water / glacier tumbled. I don't think that it's been Native American worked. Ellensburg Blues are very specific to the area, so 30 minutes away would be too far away.

Here's one of my Ellensburg Blues:

 

[quito]

I would say that's a nice agate / chalcedony that has been water / glacier tumbled. I don't think that it's been Native American worked. Ellensburg Blues are very specific to the area, so 30 minutes away would be too far away.

Hmmm,...........sure looks worked to me. Hopefully when can get another angle, like a side view.

Them natives up there didn't travel?

I'm not biting.

 

[Dokie]

Lost my sunshine today, so I tried to get the best lighting I could.

Wish I could just invite all of you over for a cup of coffee and discussion. I think it would make a good morning! =)

 

[Dokie]

I would say that's a nice agate / chalcedony that has been water / glacier tumbled. I don't think that it's been Native American worked. Ellensburg Blues are very specific to the area, so 30 minutes away would be too far away.

Here's one of my Ellensburg Blues:

View attachment 1278506

Yours is the main picture I was finding. That is one gorgeous piece!

 

[Charl]

That's a tough one. In the first photo of comment #16, it looks like the worn bit of a celt. But in the other photos, I get the sense of natural. Then there's that protrusion on one side. Don't know what that is at all. Beautiful stone, hope somebody can give you a definitive answer as to artifact or not.

 

[quito]

I'd guess that knob is a stack of sorts, and was to hard to remove. After looking again, it looks like they may have tried to remove that stack too. Look at the base of the bump magnified.

also, I think those wear lines she photo'd look similar to the grinding lines found on many good pieces I've examined.

 

[unclemac]

Staff Directory | Burke Museum

i use these people from time to time...just explain that you found it on your own property. Send them the photos and you will get the right answer. these folks at the Burke are not dilettantes.