Petrified Wood, Geodes, Crystals, Agates and Carvings

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Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust.  It is mainly composed of Silica or Silica based minerals.  Although Quartz is known by a variety of names, the most important distinction between types of Quartz is that of macro-crystalline, individual crystals visible to the unaided eye, and micro-crystalline, where aggregates of crystals are only visible under high magnification.  There are many forms of Quartz including Chalcedony, Amethyst, Citrine, and Carnelian which are results of mineral impurities or heat treatments..

Crystal Quartz Cluster

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Petrified Wood is a type of a fossil as it consists of fossil wood where all the organic materials have been replaced with minerals while retaining the original structure of the wood.  These minerals are most often Silicates such as Quartz.  Other minerals, Manganese, Iron and Copper, in the water or mud during the petrification process give Petrified Wood a variety of color ranges: black - Carbon; green/blue - Copper; red/brown/yellow - Iron.  Petrified Wood can preserve the original structure of the wood in all its detail all the way down to the microscopic level.  Structures such as tree rings and the various tissues are often observed features.  Although Petrified Wood can be found worldwide, it is rather rare in larger quantities and at times can be difficult to obtain by the average collector.

Petrified Wood

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Geodes are geological rock formations which occur in sedimentary and certain volcanic rocks.  They are essentially rock cavities or vugs with internal Crystal formations or concentric banding.  The exterior is generally Limestone while the interior contains Quartz Crystals and/or Chalcedony deposits.  If the Geode is completely filled with Crystal, being solid all the way through, it is then called a nodule.

Moroccan Geode

PR202b  This is a nice, above average Brazilian Agate end cut with great color and a very unique design.  This agate has an awesome cavity that goes clear through to the rear. It measures 5 1/4" x nearly 3 3/4" x 2 5/8" and has been polished on the front face.  This is a beautiful work of nature and has great agate characteristics and colors.

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Agates mostly occur as nodules in volcanic rocks or waters containing Silica in solution which is possibly derived from the decomposition of Silicates in the lava.  The Siliceous matter is deposited in regular layers resulting in the banded or striped formation.  It is very unlikely that you would ever find an exact duplicate of any type of Agate, Brazilian or other.

Brazilian Agate End

PR210b  Here are sets of three (3) nicely polished tumbled stones. They range from Red Jasper, Fancy Jasper, Brecciated Jasper and Green Aventurine.  They each measure approximately 1 1/4" x 2 1/2" in size and have a very nice polish.  The stones have a pretty mix of colors including Green, White, Tan, Brown and Red.  A great gift or just keep them for yourself.

Unfortunately there is NO additional choices other than what is listed and no choice or individual selection  in your set of three (3) stones. We do guarantee a good selection however.

Jasper, or spotted stone, is an opaque, impure variety of Quartz that is usually red, yellow or brown in color.  Some Jaspers simultaneously exhibit several variants such as banding, flow patterns, dendrites or color variations.  This results in what appears to be scenes or images in a cut section of the Jasper.

 Aventurine is a form of Quartz that is characterized by its translucent and mineral inclusions that give it a shimmering or glistening effect called "aventurescence".  The most common color is green but it may also be orange, brown, yellow, blue or grey.

Polished Tumbled Stones

Set of Three

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A Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide). The color comes mainly from the chromium element. The Ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with the sapphire, the emerald, and the diamond. Rubies were found for centuries in Burma.  They have also been found in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Vietnam, Nepal and Pakistan. Rubies have been found in the US states of Montana, North and South Carolina.

Natural Ruby

PR207b  Here is a very nice, above average quality, larger Pyrite nugget with Crystals.  It measures 3" x over 2 3/4" x 1 1/2" and has a natural shiny finish. This material is from Peru.  This beauty is a one of a kind, very well defined specimen that will not be duplicated.

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Pyrite is an Iron sulfide with an isometric structure.  It is brittle and can break or powder easily.  Its metallic luster and brass yellow hue have earned it the nickname of "fool's gold" due to many miners mistaken it for the real thing.     3-17-11

Pyrite

PR211c  Here is a great looking Campo Del Cielo meteorite from Argentina.  This heavy specimen measures nearly 2 7/8" x over 1 3/4"  x 1 1/4" and weighs 10 ounces. The meteorite has a natural metallic sheen.  A very nice addition to any collection.

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A Meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives an impact with the Earth's surface without being destroyed.  There are 3 types of meteorites: stony, which are mainly composed of Silicate minerals; Iron, which are largely composed of metallic Iron-Nickel; and stony-Iron, which are composed of both types of media.

Campo Del Cielo Meteorite

PR212c This is a beautiful Landscape Quartz Free Form.  This specimen measures nearly 2 3/4" x almost 2" x 1" and has a smooth polished finish on one side of the specimen. This piece has landscape like Chlorite inclusions and even some Rutiles. A real beauty. 

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Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust.  It is mainly composed of Silica or Silica based minerals.  Although Quartz is known by a variety of names, the most important distinction between types of Quartz is that of macro-crystalline, individual crystals visible to the unaided eye, and micro-crystalline, where aggregates of crystals are only visible under high magnification.  There are many forms of Quartz including Chalcedony, Amethyst, Citrine, and Carnelian which are results of mineral impurities or heat treatments.

Landscape Quartz Free Form

PR213c  Here is a really great find!!  This is a nice, above average quality, large Dugway Geode from Utah.  It  measures 8 3/4" x 8" x 4" and has a nice polish on the front face. The inside of the cavity is lined with fine druzy Quartz Crystals with a hint of Lavender color. The Geode has grey felt on the bottom surface and displays very well.  Just beautiful!

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Geodes are geological rock formations which occur in sedimentary and certain volcanic rocks.  They are essentially rock cavities or vugs with internal Crystal formations or concentric banding.  The exterior is generally Limestone while the interior contains Quartz Crystals and/or Chalcedony deposits.  If the Geode is completely filled with Crystal, being solid all the way through, it is then called a nodule.

Dugway Geode

PR204c  Here is a very nice, larger, light Blue Celestite Geode from Madagascar.  It measures 7 1/2" x 5 3/4" x 4".  This is a very interesting Geode in that it has a very detailed Blue interior with several well-defined larger Crystal points.  Definitely something different for the mineral or rock collector.

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Celestite, or Celestine, is a mineral consisting of Strontium Sulfate.  The mineral is named for its occasional delicate blue color.  This mineral occurs in Crystals and in compact massive, fibrous forms.  It is mostly found in sedimentary rocks and is often associated with Gypsum, Anhydrite and Halite.  The mineral is found worldwide usually in small quantities.  The pale blue variety are found in Madagascar.

Celestite

PR205c  Here is a very different item here at the Rock Shed. This is a larger, very pretty Petrified Wood Slab from Wiggin's Fork, Wyoming.  This nice specimen measures approximately 8" x over 6 3/4" x nearly 3/4" and has been highly polished on one side to show the lovely crystallized nearly clear colors it is made of.  This piece was cut and polished in our own Lapidary department. A very unique and beautiful addition to any rock collection. 

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Wyoming Petrified Wood

PR208b  This is a new and different item at the Rock Shed; a Turritella Agate slab cut from material from south central Wyoming.  The plate is a soft Grayish Brown color and has many, many nice fossils scattered throughout. This specimen measures nearly 5 1/2" x 3 1/4" x a1 3/8" and has a nice polish on one side.  It was cut and polished here at the Rock Shed's own Lapidary department.  A nice item for any collection.

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Click here for more fossils like this.

Turritella Agate

PR209b  This is a very nice, above average quality Onyx Free Form from Mexico.  This nice hand carved Onyx  measures nearly 4" tall x almost 2 3/4" and has a smooth unpolished finish. It has a colorful creamy pale green background with lighter and brown accents.  This Free Form could be used as a pencil holder or just use it for display. A very beautiful addition to any rock collection. 

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Onyx is a banded variety of Chalcedony which in turn is a form of Quartz.  The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color except shades of purple, blue and black.  It is used for vases, bowls, beads, cabochons and other items.  The name has sometimes been used incorrectly to label other banded lapidary materials, such as banded Calcite.  This type is found in Mexico and Pakistan and is often carved, polished and sold.  The material is much softer than true Onyx and much more readily available. 

Onyx Free Form

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Labradorite is a Feldspar mineral that occurs in large Crystal masses in Anorthosite and shows an iridescence or "play of colors."  Gemstone varieties of Labradorite exhibiting a high degree of iridescence are Spectrolite, Moonstone and Sunstone.  High quality samples with good iridescent qualities are desired for jewelry.

Labradorite