Rocks & Minerals

Page 6 Michigan freeform & nugget copper, Peacock Rock, Fluorite, Ricolite, Travertine, Malachite polished, Ocean Jasper, Lepidolite, Carborundum, Apache Tears

Page 7 LIZZADRO Lapidary MUSEUM, Elmhurst, Illinois - Virtual Tour

Page 8 PETRIFIED WOOD from Utah, China, Arizona & Nevada - tumbled, limb casts & crystallized; color chart of petrified wood

Page 9 Garnets from China; Slices of Polar Jade from Canada; FLUORESCENT ROCKS & GLASS: vaseline glass marbles, rhombohedral calcite, Sodalite, and Willemite; Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper (rough), Gem cabs for polishing, Fluorescent Rock display Smithsonian

Page 10 VERMONT MARBLE MUSEUM, Proctor, Vermont - Virtual Tour

Page 11 Herkimer diamonds, Astrophylite, Labradorite specimens, Fire Agate nodules

AURORA CRYSTALS
These are natural, clear quartz crystal formations from Hot Springs, Arkansas that have been bombarded with titanium in a lab in Rochester, Minnesota to permanently coat them with this beautiful iridized color.

Titanium Dark Iridescent "Aura"
Aurora Crystals

Individually priced

#R-1-26

2" long x 1-3/8" wide x 1" tall

$36

#R-1-33

1-5/8" long x 1-1/8" wide x 7/8" tall

$42

#R-1-36

1-1/2" long x 1" wide x 1-3/8" tall

$44

#R-1-41

2" long x 1-5/8" wide x 1" tall

$48

#R-1-47

3-7/8" long x 1-1/16" wide x 1" tall

$65

#R-1-48

2-3/8" long x 1-3/8" wide x 7/8" tall

$76

"Opalized" White Iridescent "Aura"
Aurora Crystals

Individually priced.

#R-2-11

1-1/2 x 1-1/8 x 1" tall

$35

#R-2-13

1-3/4 x 1-3/8 x 1-3/8" tall

$42

#R-2-15

3 x 2-3/8 x1-3/8" tall

$96

T.V. ROCK This is by far the most interesting and popular mineral we have in the shop! "Ulexite" is a natural mineral (NaCaB5O9.8H2o) from a borax mine in Boron, California. Our specimens are straight from the mine so it's all A grade clarity. It is calcium-sodium hydrated borax. It exhibits a unique fiber-optic property - when one polished end is placed on a newspaper or picture, the capillary fibers transmit or project the picture to the top of the rock! This is NOT a transparent stone. Kids just know it's weird and wonderful! Above is a photo of the borax mine in Boron, CA where we obtained the Ulexite. Colemanite and Kernite are also mined here. Lest you think this truck is not very big, see Heidi standing in front of the tire on the top picture. The specs of the monster truck are in the right-hand picture. Photos below are on a standard business card.
RARE JUMBO COLLECTOR SPECIMENS
#R30-1 3" across x 1-3/4" tall x 2" deep NOT FOR SALE
#R30-2 3-3/8" long x 1-7/8" tall x 2" deepest SOLD
2-1/8" to 2-1/2" $22 each
#R31-4		#R31-8
1-7/8" to 2" $20 each
#R32-1
1-5/8" to 1-3/4" $16 each
#R33-9	#R33-13		#R33-16
#R33-19	#R33-27	#R33-28	#R33-29
#R33-31	#R33-33	#R33-34	#R33-35
#R33-36	#R33-38	#R33-39	#R33-40
#R33-41	#R33-42	#R33-43	#R33-44
#R33-45	#R33-46	#R33-47	#R33-48
#R33-49	#R33-50	#R33-51	#R33-52
#R33-53	#R33-54	#R33-55	#R33-56
#R33-57	#R33-58	#R33-59	#R33-60
#R33-61		#R33-63	#R33-64
1-3/8" to 1-1/2" $14 each
#R34-3	#R34-9	#R34-20	#R34-25
#R34-26	#R34-27	#R34-28	#R34-29
#R34-31	#R34-32	#R34-35	#R34-36
	#R34-39	#R34-40	#R34-42
#R34-43	#R34-49	#R34-51	#R34-52
#R34-53	#R34-54	#R34-55	#R34-56
#R34-57	#R34-58	#R34-59	#R34-60
#R34-61	#R34-62	#R34-63	#R34-64
#R34-65	#R34-71		#R34-82
1" to 1-1/4" $12 each
#R35-2	#R35-17	#R35-29	#R35-41
#R35-42	#R35-43	#R35-44	#R35-45
#R35-46	#R35-47	#R35-48	#R35-49
#R35-50	#R35-51	#R35-52	#R35-53
#R35-54	#R35-55	#R35-56	#R35-57
#R35-58	#R35-59	#R35-60	#R35-61
#R35-62	#R35-63	#R35-64	#R35-65

BISMUTH BILL

Our specimens are from North Carolina where we found "Mad Scientist Bill" who's been growing them for 12 years. Bill recently passed away (8/16/04), he will be sorely missed as a gentle and kind friend.

The second picture is the lovely display we made of the specimens we purchased.

BISMUTH Native element (Bi) originally found in Peru, perfect crystals are grown from pure bismuth in lab conditions. Blue and rainbow colors are natural. Amazing patterns of stair steps! Scarce as silver, heavier than lead (1 cubic foot of bismuth weighs 600 pounds), semi-metal. Non-toxic, used in medicines and cosmetics (the BIS in Pepto Bismol, for instance) it makes a superb display specimen and gift.
Small Bismuth Display specimens 3 to 29 grams priced as marked
#R48-1 4.0 grams $8	#R48-2 4.1 grams $8	#R48-4 4.7 grams $8	#R48-8 6.3 grams $8
#R48-9 6.4 grams $8	#R48-9A 6.4 grams $8	#R48-13 7.1 grams $8	#R48-14 7.4 grams $8
#R48-16 7.8 grams $8	#R48-17 7.8 grams $8	#R48-31 8.4 grams $9	#R48-33 9.3 grams $10
#R48-34 9.9 grams $10	#R48-36 10.8 grams $11	#R48-90 10.9 grams $11	#R48-99 11 grams $11
#R48-100 11.1 grams $12	#R48-116 12 grams $12	#R48-117 12 grams $12	#R48-122 12 grams $12
#R48-123 12.5 grams $13		#R49-19 13 grams $13	#R49-20 13.2 grams $13
#R49-49 14.3 grams $14	#R49-50 15 grams $15	#R49-51 15.0 grams $15	#R49-57 15.6 grams $16
#R49-60 16 grams $16	#R49-62 16 grams $16	#R49-72 16 grams $16	#R49-78 16 grams $16
#R49-79 16.5 grams $17	#R49.80 16.8 grams $17	#R49-91 17 grams $17
#R49-93 17 grams $17	#R49-105 17 grams $17	#R49-106 17.7 grams $18	#R50-6 18 grams $18
#R50-6-A 18.5 grams $19	#R50-7-5 19 grams $19	#R50-7-6 19.8 grams $20	#R50-7-12 20 grams $20
#R50-7-17 20 grams $20	#R50-7-18 20.6 grams $21	#R50-7-19 20.9 grams $21	#R50-7-22 21 grams $21
#R50-7-23 21.9 grams $22	#R50-8 22 grams $22	#R50-9 22.9 grams $23	#R50-11 23.1 grams $23
#R50-12 23.1 grams $23	#R50-15 24.3 grams $24	#R50-16 24 grams $24	#R50-16-A 25.1 grams $25
#R50-17 25.2 grams $25	#R50-18 25.9 grams $26	#R50-19 26 grams $26	#R50-21 26 grams $26
#R50-22 26.2 grams $26	#R50-23 26.8 grams $27	#R50-24 28.6 grams $29	#R50-30 29 grams $29
#R50-32 29 grams $29	#R50-33 29.9 grams $30
Large Bismuth Display specimens 30 to 51 grams; 1-3/8" to 2-1/4" priced as marked
#R51-1 30 grams $30	#R51-2 30.8 grams $31	#R51-3 31.6 grams $32	#R51-4 31.9 grams $32
#R51-5 32.8 grams $33	#R51-6 33.4 grams $34	#R51-10-1 35 grams $35	#R51-11 36.1 grams $36
#R51-12 37 grams $37	#R51-13 37.8 grams $38	#R51-14 38.3 grams $38	#R51-15 39.1 grams $39
#R51-16 39.7 grams $40	#R51-18 41 grams $41	#R51-19 41.3 grams $42	#R51-20 41.8 grams $42
#R51-21 42.7 grams $43	#R51-21-A 42.7 grams $43	#R51-22 44 grams $44	#R51-23 49 grams $49
#R51-32 49.9 grams $50		#R51-40 54 grams $54
Extra Large Bismuth Display specimens 52 grams and larger priced as marked
#R53-6 1-5/8 x 1-1/4 x 1-1/2" 2.5 oz or 70 grams $70		#R53-10 2 x 1-5/8 x 2-3/8" 3.5 oz or 98 grams $98
#R54 3 x 2-1/4 x 1-3/4", 9 oz or 254 grams $254 SOLD

GEMSTONES & I.D. CHARTS
	#R-58. Bag of natural Peridot nuggets; good grade, small cutting material, 9.5 ounces	$40, close out item
	#R-59. Bag of Rough Moonstones, good grade cutting / polishing material, 6 ounces	$30 close out item
#R-69 CUSTOMER FAVORITE 8 x 10 x 1/8" thick, real squares of gemstones sized 1/2" x 5/8" each of 36 gem ID chart (nothing dyed, all natural colors) Stock photo. Includes squares of the following gems: Amazonite, Amethyst, Aventurine, Obsidian, Blue Lace Agate, Buttermilk Jasper, Carnelian, Dalmatian Dacite, Dumortierite, Fancy Jasper, Fluorite, Gold Stone, Hematite, Howlite, Jadeite, Lapis, Leopard Skin Jasper, Mahogany Obsidian, Moss Agate, Nephrite, Picasso Jasper, Orange Calcite, Picture Jasper, Rainbow Jasper, Rose quartz, Rhodonite, Rock Crystal, Rhyolite, Red jasper, Snow Flake Obsidian, Sodalite, Serpentine, Tiger-eye, Tiger-iron, Turquoise, and Unakite $17.00 ea.

TUMBLED GEMSTONES From Many Countries
	#R-77-A. BOTSWANA AGATE (Africa). Prominent bullseye swirls in this agate distinguish this high quality stone. Set of 4 are 1" diameter.	$5.00
	#R-77-B. FIVE tumbled BOTSWANA AGATE (Africa). 3/4" TO 7/8" diameter, high quality bullseye and spot designs.	$5.00
	#R-78. SIX Wyoming JADE, tumbled nuggets 3/4" TO 1-1/4" across.	$5.00
	#R-80. Seven mauve LEPIDOLITE tumbles gem stones; 3/4" to 1-1/8" across.	$5.00

RHODOCHROSITE SPECIMENS (Argentina)
#R-81 $8	#R-82 $8
Photo of a superb rhodochrosite specimen at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D C:

GALENA

(lead sulfide, PbS, the main mineral in lead)

From the Sweetwater Mine, Ellington, MO

Used to make shortwave radio sets, extremely heavy, bright gunmetal luster.

Display only

This is not only a rock & gem identification display, we've included some more unusual specimens for people to enjoy.

Photo 1 - a Pyrite Sun from an Illinois coal mine, picture jasper, Ocean jasper, garnets in the rock from Alaska the way it grows naturally, several specimens of opal from different Australian mines, Labradorite from Newfoundland, a pyrite egg, also cube pyrite from Spain (amazing!) and a real fulgurite (the result of a lightning striking sand)

Photo 2 - Rainbow hematite, red coral as used in Indian jewelry, several great turquoise specimens from Arizona, a calcite & mud concretion material that formed fantastic blue layers, selenite from Nevada, a huge specimen of Colombian amber loaded with winged ants and many other creatures that fossilized into it for 5 million years, and the beginning of our meteorite display.

Photo 3 - Lots more meteorites and meteorite jewelry,

Photo 4 - More meteorites. Plus an elephant ivory cue ball, and a lovely elephant ivory and Canadian jade beaded necklace. Meteorites are all for sale, the ivory is not.

HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE

"ROCKS IN YOUR HEAD"

CONTRIBUTED BY CHRIS, A YOUNG CUSTOMER IN CALIFORNIA

1. The sign on the side of the road says "Falling Rocks" and you pull over.

2. First thing on your Christmas list is to go to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show or at LEAST Quartzite.

3. Your pet's names are Rocky, Opal,and Beryl.

4. You care more about the diamonds in the Titanic than the people.

5. You hit your hand with a hammer and your mom asks if you're okay, and you say it's a fracture, good cleavage, and has produced some interesting streaks in your underwear.

6. Your family puts birthday candles in a slab of amethyst instead of cake.

7. The rock pile in your garage is taller than Shaq.

8. The people at the airport know you by name and refuse to carry your luggage.

9. You know every rock shop within a 100 mile radius.

10. You associate the word "saw" with diamonds instead of wood.

11. You know where Tsumeb is.

12. You buy buckets of drywall just to use the buckets for storage of more rocks.

13. You have a two car garage and your car is outside.

14. You give rock tumblers, tools, and rock specimens as Christmas gifts.

15. You make a backpack for your dog named Crystal.

Claire Coco ROCKIN' AT THE SWAMP, Baton Rouge, LA 3/23/10 To my rockin’ stone animal friends (link below for info) http://www.225batonrouge.com/events/2010/mar/13/49614/ We had a very successful event with almost 700 participants and LOVELY weather. We rocked the day away with lots of fun and smiles at every turn. My stone animal collection will stay up throughout the summer so I can share it with our day campers. I hope it will inspire others to start their own collections. I’ve attached some photos highlighting the event activities – enjoy!
Cabbing demonstration	Rock wall	Gem mining	Rock painting - paint a rock python! Pet rock creation
As to the folks picking up rocks, we had 2 activities going on in our parking lot. The light colored rock (with rock pile) is a load of limestone donated by Vulcan Materials Co. – it is loaded with marine fossils and was available at any time throughout the day. (no photos, sorry!)
Going for the gold! (pyrite) The kids picking up rocks on the gray limestone is our Kids Gold Rush activity. We bought 660 pounds of grade A pyrite (1” to 3” pieces) and had 4 rounds of the activity. Children were lined up according to size and got to run for the gold. The rush part came in because we had to keep the little ones moving or they’d vacuum up all the gold before the big kids had a chance at it. Our main “Sherriff” was actually my dad. He was told to “shoot on site” (with a water gun, of course) anyone taking too long or being greedy – boy did everyone have fun with that! (But no one more than my dad – ha!)
These young people are creating gemstone cards. Fulfilling? Just look at those smiling faces!
Mineral collection		Claire's own gem animal collection on display

FAIRY STONES, natural crosses called "Staurolite" crystals found in Virginia that are chiseled from the rock and made into jewelry. Visit the Pendants page 5 to purchase rough, finished or jewelry forms of this religiously significant rock.
As found	Chiseled away the matrix	Finished into jewelry
Link to Fairy Stone Crosses Page for a great selection we have available!

PETOSKEY STONES - the rock that's also a FOSSIL

Link to Fossils page 5 to see the Rest of the Story, and specimens for sale, natural and polished:

Rocks page 5, Petoskey stone

Click To Go To:

Rocks & Minerals Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11

GEMSTONES & I.D. CHARTS

TUMBLED GEMSTONESFrom Many Countries

TUMBLED GEMSTONES
From Many Countries