Recent Lake Superior agate finds

[EricTheCat]

I really should be getting caught up on work, or chores, or gardening but I wanted to share some finds from a recent field trip to some gravel pits in northern MN.

















Happy hunting,
Eric

 

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[marinedad]

those are beautiful, I love lakers. got some tumbling right now.

 

[Jhaddad8]

Beautiful!!! I am headed to Detroit in a few weeks to visit a friend and hope to be able to find some nice stuff like that.

 

[Moonrover]

those are beautiful, I love lakers. got some tumbling right now.

Do you have a photo or two of tumbled agate? I'd love to see if the pits level out. Never tumbled anything, but I'm sort of considering adding it as a hobby.

 

[EricTheCat]

Do you have a photo or two of tumbled agate? I'd love to see if the pits level out. Never tumbled anything, but I'm sort of considering adding it as a hobby.

I know your question is to marinedad, but I thought the thread in the link below might help answer it. It has some before and after tumble pics. In short, yes pits can level out - the deeper the pit the more time the tumble will likely take. Don't let it discourage you, just be patient if you tumble - It IS worth it IMHO.
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/rocks-gems/313008-1st-2nd-rock-tumble-pics.html

 

[Moonrover]

Eric ... wow ... impressive results. Obviously "tumble time" is a huge factor. I'm going to read up on tumbling to see if it will work with our mobile lifestyle in an RV.

Maybe putting the stones inside the tires as we drive would work. <lol>

 

[marinedad]

thanks for posting pics of before and after tumble eric, I am picture posting challenged' and agree longer tumbling time for better results.

 

[Alex Burke]

Have you guys been to Wolverine#2 mine tailings up there. Taking a detector is the way to go to find these. Look for basalt rocks. The sliced agate sells for a decent price and is in demand.
Wolverine Mine, Wolverine, Houghton Co., Michigan, USA

 

[EricTheCat]

MeteorMiner,
I have not been to Wolverine #2 mine. It certainly sounds like an interesting place to look.

It surprises me that you can use a metal detector to find agates. Have you found any yourself using a detector? Only a handful of the agates I have found are attracted to a magnet, and all of those I have to hang the magnet on a string to even tell. It surprises me there would be enough conductivity in the basalt to set a detector off. That said, I do not have much experience with detectors and am always open to new possibilities.

Happy hunting,
Eric

 

[Alex Burke]

Yeah only the copper replacement ones will set off a detector but they are valuable and worth hunting if you're in the area, I've never tried hunting them personally I live in Ca I just saw the thread and remembered this thread. If you find any I may be interested in purchasing one lol. http://www.mindat.org/mesg-15-187292.html

 

[EricTheCat]

Most intriguing, MeteorMiner. Those are beautiful. I have never found anything like that. If I ever did it would be hard to part with.

They do look difficult to find. Though quite worth the reward I would think.

 

[Rattlehead]

nice ones!