smithsonite, pyrite and chain coral

[vibes]

I was in New Mexico this past March...I went alone, stayed w/ friends in ABQ, rented a car and headed to Socorro County as I HAD to see and feel the Kelly Mine vibe...and it did my soul good as I found the pyrite and smithsonite while searching and climbing the tailing. What a rush !!! I've GOT to go back there...soon! The chain coral is from my neck of the woods,southwest lower Lake Michigan.

In early December I took my "smith" to Fr. Calhoun at Notre Dame IN This is his creation: (I adore it!)

 

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[rmptr]

Neato samples, Vibes!

We've got a little bit of a cool spell now, I should go out rock picking...
I heard of petrified whalebone, nearby.

Best

 

[vibes]

rmptr...petrified whale bone? Damn showoff...

Do you snorkle, dive, wade or inland hunt?

I have so many fun treasures from my NM jaunt.

 

[rmptr]

Oh gosh Vibes!

I show off every chance I get!

Haven't found anything local besides the bikonite which I think I posted....

And I admit my fubars, too... The trip to Jade Cove was definitely NOT what I had hoped for.
I ran a post here on it, also, so others may not get caught up, like we did.

..... I'm inland. Dry as a bone. Yet I've been told, that in millenia gone past, most all this turf was underwater.
Perhaps that's why we have limestone oyster bed outcrops all over the place!

A walk along the 'upside down river' bed in certain areas will get some petrified whale bones, IF you know what you're looking for.... I don't!

I've only seen a small piece or two, shown me by a friend, in passing.
(They had other really neato stuff we were REALLY looking at.)

Apparently it comes in different sizes, and varying colors, also.
There is a telltale pattern to it so you can identify. Kind of a snake scaly look.

Looks like you posted more minerals... muscovite? I think I recognize...

Best

 

[vibes]

rmptr:

I am so new at rock hounding! I do know that I have selenite and barite? the top pieces, well, I have NO idea! but I am reading and learning...so my quest continues...BUT I didn't plan on a crash course in geology...makes my brain bleed.

I'm not familiar w/ bikonite (?)...and I didn't catch a photo of yours...well, I did see pics from your CA trip/tour/adventure! WOW...what gorgeous pieces. I have gem envy. is there a 12 step program for THAT?

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it!

 

[rmptr]

Hello again, Vibes,

Web Minerals is good site.

and, library has National Audobon Society guide to minerals... Excellent book! I should buy one!

Best

 

[vibes]

I have a book...but as stated earlier, I'm still learning. I mean I am so new to RH that I thought I might have a florescent rock or 3. I don't have a light, bid on one at ebay...obviously I wasn't hi bidder. Looked for one on the internet and was shocked to see them priced so high. Bummed out I thought, now what? So, I opened the phone book, found a nearby tanning salon, made an appt. and gathered up my rocks. I left the camera at home...I mean I'm sure THAT would've raised eyebrows

Damn folied again! Didn't work...but it WAS worth a try, right?

Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate your insight

 

[rmptr]

OK, I know where you can get black lites... (tanning salon is wrong wavelength)

One of those shops that sells all the posters, dragons, swords, and marijuana smoking stuff will have black lites.
They got 'em with fixtures and long tubes and also screw in normal style bulbs that should work well enough to look at a few rocks.

(MOF, just step in the door with your handful of rocks!)

But I'll warn you, it can be a real shocker, going into one of those places!

Otherwise you can call up a specialty light shop in your area and pay quite a bit more.

Best

 

[vibes]

Ahhh, trippin' the floescent light fantastic?!

I have NO problem gathering my rocks and haulin' them to "one of those shops." maybe I'll be in the mood to share a really f'd up story...consider my contribution to their buzz for 'free wave length time.'

I have Walter Schumann's Rocks, Minerals & Gemstones tome. I like the pictures.

 

[Eu_citzen]

Smithsonite.. Love the looks of that one!

 

[jimb]

Nice finds! The adventure sounded like lots of fun!

 

[vibes]

I just picked up my "smith" piece tonight.

I love it! Thank you Fr. Calhoun!

 

[MEinWV]

That little beauty turned out great! Now you should learn how to do wire wrapping so you can produce lots of unusual creations from your finds.

 

[vibes]

TAKODA,

I dunno if I accidentally stumbled onto the site or not as I was all ovah that area. I am definitely going back to visit, explore and have fun.
The VLA was something to see, that's fer sure.
Where in Socorro County is the supposed UFO site?

 

[vibes]

MeinWV:

Oh I think I'll stick w/ my mosaic madness leaving the wire wrapping to Fr. Calhoun, Notre Dame Univ. as he does beautiful work and I figure having a priest vibe would be good wire/mineral mojo

 

[rmptr]

Whoever Fr.Calhoun is did a wonderful example of wire wrapping.
Very nice!

rmptr

 

[kibitzr]

Very nice Tori , He did a great job . John