rockhound, minerals, science, geology, rocks
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In the world of domain names and rockhounding you can’t really match the two better. This domain is perfect for our hobby/addiction and it’s a shame it’s not being used. Anyways just letting everyone know that it’s out there for sale AND that the .ORG extension is perfect for it IMHO.
Also one other in the same same family-
Almandine, also known incorrectly as almandite, is a species of mineral belonging to the garnet Group. The name is a corruption of alabandicus, which is the name applied by Pliny the Elder to a stone found or worked at Alabanda, a town in Caria in Asia Minor. Almandine is an iron alumina garnet, of deep red color, inclining to purple. It is frequently cut with a convex face, or en cabochon, and is then known as carbuncle. Viewed through the spectroscope in a strong light, it generally shows three characteristic absorption bands. Almandine is one end-member of a mineral solid solution series, with the other end member being the garnet pyrope. The almandine crystal formula is: Fe3Al2(SiO4)3. Magnesium substitutes for the iron with increasingly pyrope-rich composition.
almandine
Almandine occurs rather abundantly in the gem-gravels of Sri Lanka, whence it has sometimes been called Ceylon-ruby. When the color inclines to a violet tint, the stone is often called Syrian garnet, a name said to be taken from Syriam, an ancient town of Pegu. Large deposits of fine almandine-garnets were found, some years ago, in the Northern Territory of Australia, and were at first taken for rubies and thus they were known in trade for some time afterwards as Australian rubies.
Almandine
Almandine is widely distributed. Fine rhombic dodecahedra occur in the schistose rocks of the Zillertal, in Tyrol, and are sometimes cut and polished. An almandine in which the ferrous oxide is replaced partly by magnesia is found at Luisenfeld in German East Africa. In the United States there are many localities which yield almandine. Fine crystals of almandine embedded in mica-schist occur near Fort Wrangell in Alaska. The coarse varieties of almandine are often crushed for use as an abrasive agent.
Strunz classification is a scheme for categorizing minerals based upon their chemical composition, introduced by German mineralogist Karl Hugo Strunz (1910-2006) in his 1941 Mineralogische Tabellen.
Karl Hugo Strunz
As curator of the Mineralogical Museum of Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität (now known as the Humboldt University of Berlin), Strunz had been tasked with sorting the museum’s geological collection according to crystal-chemical properties. His Mineralogical Tables, first published in 1941, has been through a number of modifications; the most recent edition, published in 2001, is the ninth.
The current scheme divides minerals into nine classes, which are further divided into divisions, families and groups according to chemical composition and crystal structure.
1. elements
2. sulfides and sulfosalts
3. halides
4. oxides and hydroxides
5. carbonates, nitrates and borates
6. sulfates, chromates, molybdates and tungstates
7. phosphates, arsenates and vanadates
8. silicates
9. organic compounds
The temper of a wire refers to the hardness or softness of the wire. Softer wire is easier to work with and gets harder as you work with it. Wire is sold in three tempers: dead-soft, half-hard and full-hard or spring-hard.
Dead-soft wire has been heated or annealed to make it more malleable and easy to work with. It will bend and coil without difficulty. You can create your piece and work harden the wire as you go or at the end in a tumbler.
Half-hard wire is harder to work with then dead-soft, but some wire jewel makers prefer to use it. Over the years, taking classes and after reading wire books I have found that this is a personal preference. If I want my wire to be half-hard, I pull on and work harden my dead soft wire before starting the project. After time you will see what you prefer.
Full-hard(spring-hard) wire refers to wire that does not bend easily and is not generally used for wire jewelry
making. You can use this type of wire to make spring back pins.
Note: As you work with dead-soft wire, you are changing its temper and making it hard. It will go from dead-soft to full-hard.
The more you know about the wire you work with, the better your projects will be. Check out some basics below.
There are four shapes of wire: round, half-round square, square and triangular. The names are accurate to the shape that the wire is when looking at its cross-section. The most popular of these shapes is the round wire, although some artists prefer working with the other shapes more often.
Wire is sized by its thickness. Popular wire gauges are 14-guage to 26-guage. The thicker the wire the smaller the gauge number. 14-gauge wire is thicker than 16-gauge wire and 26-gauge wire is thin. In other places than the U.S. wire is sold in diameters measured in millimeters. The chart below gives you a gauge to diameter(approx) conversion. Popular wire sizes are 18-gauge to 22-gauge.
Making beaded jewelry and other types of beading projects is such a fulfilling and fun craft. Beauty, history and heritage can be found in beading and beads - it’s very intriguing. This section of my site has gotten quite big with many free bead patterns and projects to share. To the left you will find a list of the types of bead projects, including different topics like holidays or prom patterns. There are also ever growing beginner and basic beading instructions to be found there. Below you will find a bead projects and patterns index by name with all types of beaded jewelry projects listed. I hope this helps you, my site visitor, with navigation. I also hope it helps me keep all of the beady things I offer here straight, lol! Enjoy ~ Denise
Newest Beaded Jewelry Projects:
5 Beaded Angels to Make
I’m sharing these in a bead swap and I thought I would share how I put together some of the beaded angels with everyone. Enjoy!
http://www.wittyliving.com/crafts/jewelry/index.html
Hundreds of projects! Read on…
Download this pamphlet put out by the Arizona State Mine Inspector’s Office- Safety Tips For Rockhounds - Abandoned Mines-
Click Here To Download PDF Pamphlet
Safety
Many rockhounding sites require driving and/or hiking to remote areas, largely on dirt, sand or rocky roads where there is a good possibility of getting stuck. It is always a good idea to travel in a group and to bring plenty of drinking water with you when traveling, especially in hot, dry climates. If you must travel alone, be sure to let someone know of your plans.
It is advised to use safety goggles whenever rocks are struck, whether breaking open small stones or chipping a piece off a large boulder. Flakes of stone can seriously injure the eyes. Also, be aware that the dust that comes from chipping and cutting rock can be extremely hazardous to the lungs. If necessary, use a mask or respirator.
Fire Agate- Black Hills
Black Hills rockhound area is located on the north side of Arizona route 191, between Safford and Clifton, about 18 miles north of Safford. This page is provided to recreationists interested in rockhounding to use as a guide in preparing for your adventure. You will find information to help identify local materials and tips to keep your visit safe, productive and enjoyable.
The road beyond the registry station is not regularly maintained, and use by passenger car or travel trailer is not recommended. Water is not available! Livestock and wildlife water has been developed at several locations, but human consumption is not advisable.
Rockhounds, both as individuals and collectively as members of clubs, pride themselves on their good manners in the field. They know that maintaining their good reputation is important in order to keep the welcome mat out at many popular “digs.” Demonstrate individual and club pride by complying with the rules and practicing good rockhound ethics.
Agate, probably the most common and valuable gemstone, is a variety of silica formed by volcanic activity. A multitude of shapes and colors are caused by mineral impurities in the silica. It is these impurities which make the fire agate distinctive. fire agate is considered a gemstone because of the play of the colors beneath its surface that is formed much as a pearl is formed in an oyster. Volcanic water seeps into cracks and crevices below the earth’s surface. The impact of the water drops separate some minerals from the water; the mineral stays and the agate grows. Fire agates are said to offer all the fiery color of gem opals, are less costly, are superior in hardness, and will not fade.
Although lighting causes many fires on public land, often the most disastrous and damaging fires to resources and property are those caused by careless persons. Rangelands can be destroyed by thoughtlessness or indifference on the part of anyone - hunter, camper, local resident or traveler. It’s up to all of us to protect our lands from fire. So, please crush out your smokes and drown your campfires.
Rockhounding, like most other outdoor activities, is not without certain hazards.
Rattlesnakes may be found in certain areas during the warm months. Watch out for them in rock slides and around damp areas, under old buildings and ledges. Prompt medical attention is always advisable if bitten.
Rockhounds may unknowingly create hazards through careless digging. Deep or steep sided pits or trenches should be filled in upon completion of digging, as they pose a hazard to both man and beast.
Safford Rockhound Map
REVIEWS:
If you’re looking for jewelry-grade fire agate, you’ll probably find very little. However, the agate in the area is beautiful. If you don’t have a rock tumbler, this would be the time to invest in one because the agate is very striking when tumbled.
I see rock-hounders who dig for agate, but there is so much on the surface that you won’t need to do that. As far as I can tell, you don’t find much more with the digging.
If you take the time to go to Black Hills, I strongly recommend also making a trip to Round Mountain, which is east of Duncan (about an hour from the Black Hills area). This place has these great little egg-shaped agates which tumble up beautifully, and often are hollow with crystals inside.
Take PLENTY of water, decent shoes and long pants.Great Fire Agates found here. Be careful of the rapid changing weather.
Since I travel a lot I and I find myself seeking this kind of knowledge, I thought I would make a new category for rockhounding vacations / travel. As well if you have a special place you like to stay and rockhound please email me and I will post rockhoundblog@yahoo.com. Pictures are appreciated as well.
Rockhound Travel
Rockhound State Park and Spring Canyon Recreation Area
Established in 1966, Rockhound State Park consists of the main park and the Spring Canyon Recreation Area. The main park includes a 30-site campground, hiking trails and a visitor center on the west slopes of the Little Florida Mountains. The Spring Canyon Recreation Area is a day-use area located across the valley in the foothills of the Florida Mountains and includes picnic sites and hiking trails.
Take a Hike
The park’s Thunderegg Trail (1.1 miles) and the Jasper Trail (.5 miles) provide access to spectacular wildflower displays in spring, mild autumn weather, and scenic views year-round. Scattered along the trails and throughout the park are assorted volcanic rocks and silica minerals including quartz, chalcedony, agate, and common opal.
Desert Alive!
Every April, Rockhound State Park hosts Desert Alive!, a springtime celebration of the Chihuahuan Desert and the rocks, plants and animals found here. Join nature walks, take in displays and exhibits and learn all about natural and cultural history of this special place.
Getting There
To get to Rockhound State Park from Deming, take N.M. 11 south for five miles, and then go east on N.M. 141 for about nine miles.
Rockhound State Park lies in the Little Florida Mountains southeast of Deming, New Mexico (Fig. 1). It was established in 1966 as the first park in the United States that allowed collecting of rocks and minerals for personal use. Each visitor is allowed to collect as much as 15 lb of rocks and minerals from the 1,100-acre park; mineral dealers are not allowed to collect for sale. Rockhound State Park actually consists of two separate units, the main park and Spring Canyon Recreation Area (Fig. 1). Spring Canyon lies in the northern Florida Mountains, south of the main park, and is open for day use only from Easter through November.
Figure 1 – Location of Rockhound State Park.
The main park provides excellent views of the surrounding mountain desert. Basin and Range topography is easily seen in the distance. On a clear day the smokestacks of the Hurley smelter can be seen to the northwest. The Cobre Mountains form the far northern horizon behind the smokestacks. The Burro Mountains lie to the west-northwest; the Victorio Mountains lie to the west-southwest. The Florida Mountains lie directly to the south of the main state park; Florida Gap separates the two ranges. The Cedar Mountains lie to the south-southwest. The dark mountain north of Deming is called Black Mountain. Spring Canyon in the Florida Mountains is a sheltered canyon and offers solitude common to many canyons throughout the desert Southwest.
The Florida and Little Florida Mountains are typical of the mountain desert throughout southern New Mexico and Arizona. Elevations range from 4,400 ft along the foothills, where the state park is located, to 7,448 ft at Florida Peak in the Florida Mountains. Water is scarce and limited to wells and hidden springs, but be careful of thunderstorms and flash floods during the summer months! Despite the dry, seemingly inhospitable environment, life abounds. The area is home to many lizards and snakes, deer, antelope, coyotes, and small mammals such as prairie dogs, rabbits, badgers, and many birds. Mountain lion and desert bighorn sheep may be seen at the higher elevations of the Florida Mountains. A variety of plants thrive in this environment, including yucca, prickly pear cactus, barrel cactus, ocotillo, creosote bush, mesquite, and hackberry; juniper and scrub oak are common in the canyons.
Paleozoic through lower Tertiary sedimentary rocks overlie a Cambrian granitic to syenitic pluton in the northern Florida Mountains (Clemons and
A complete grinding, shaping, smoothing and polishing lapidary unit.
This is a cool site you should check out. He lists maps of every state and places to rockhound in each of them. He built a cool machine and fully explained how to make one yourself. Try it out…
http://www.rockpicks.net/flatlap.htm
make your own / DIY Flat Lap machine
Information on the construction of my 8 inch flat lap for faceting/general use.
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General Description |
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| After doing a bit of research, I decided it was time to attempt the construction of a flat lap. My main interest was in accuracy for use in faceting with the added ability to be used as a general purpose lap. To address the accuracy issues, I chose to use a direct drive system which eliminates the variables caused by belt stretch. Also, I thought that a DC motor would be the simplest to apply a speed control to and also had the benefit of being easily reversible in direction. My choice for a motor was a 3/4 HP 130 volt DC ball bearing, permanent magnet motor that was originally constructed for use in an exercise treadmill system. Since I was able to find matched components in surplus, I also opted to use the speed control used in the same treadmill. The housing for the lap is constructed from 8″ x 1″ dimensional Poplar lumber. The top is constructed from 3/4 inch Lexan since it is a very rigid and stable material, though my primary choice would have been tool grade aluminum plate. Price was the main consideration for choosing Lexan which I ordered from McMaster-Carr. I purchased the motor and speed control from Surplus Center and the Lexan from McMaster-Carr. The lumber and other hardware came from Lowes.
Rest of article here: http://www.rockpicks.net/flatlap.htm |
