🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Porphyry Hunt

[ToddsPoint]

I spotted a big porphyry rock about a dozen yrs ago along the river. I couldn’t hardly lift it and never bothered to try and get it. After telling a friend about it, he volunteered to help me get it and brought a 2 wheel cart. It was a beautiful day at the river. The river has sorted the rocks by size. Bigger rocks are higher up in the brush. This is all glacial till from Canada.

I thought I could walk right up to the rock but I couldn’t find it. After walking by it several times I finally spotted it. The river had been up and added a layer of crud to the surface of the rock. When I flipped it over I was sure. I’m guessing it weighed 50 lbs.

We hauled it home and put it right on the rock saw. It just barely fit in my 16” saw.

This is rhomb porphyry. Worldwide, it’s fairly rare. I’m just lucky enough to live where the glacier brought some of it down from Canada. This porphyry is about 2 bil yrs old. I’ll carve it into some Indian style pipes and whatever else I decide to make.

 

[russau]

I really like your showing the progressive steps in your creative process ! BEAUTIFUL !

 

[ToddsPoint]

I’m calling the duck pipe finished. I’ll add it to my inventory.😉

 

[CreekSide]

I’m calling the duck pipe finished. I’ll add it to my inventory.😉View attachment 2201608

Beautiful pipes

 

[newnan man]

Fantastic!

 

[unclemac]

how much time spent start to finish?

 

[ToddsPoint]

how much time spent start to finish?

I didn’t keep track but I’m getting faster. There’s a lot to learn to be able to walk like an Egyptian!🤣😜 I learn more with each one I make. It also becomes very obvious which types of rock works better and why.

 

[russau]

Beautiful workmanship ! Lot's of pipes , have you tried any of them out yet ??

 

[ToddsPoint]

Only tested by modern savages.😜

 

[dognose]

very nice looking pipes.
craftsmanship.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

See, I started reading this post wondering why someone would pack home a large rock from the river. Didn’t look like much raw.

Great work.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Imagine the value status one would have that was made with stone tools!!

 

[ToddsPoint]

I found another piece of porphyry. This one has really strong contrast. I think I’ll make another pipe.

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

One way to get stoned.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Ready to drill.

 

[IDAu]

Amazing work.

I have a bunch of porphyry. Is it uncommon/worth anything?

 

[ToddsPoint]

Amazing work.

I have a bunch of porphyry. Is it uncommon/worth anything?

Worldwide, it’s very rare. In the few places it occurs I’d say it’s very common. It’s formed in volcanoes so those areas are where it is. In my case, it’s been brought down to central IL by the WI glacier from long gone ancient Canadian volcanoes. I’ve never tried to sell any. I’ve thought about offering up some on eBay as geological samples or for carving stone but never have.