Recently, I’ve been uprooting Greenstones and Copper Agates in my shop. Both these treasures make extraordinary jewelry, and both are difficult to find. Fortunately, over the past couple decades, I’ve been able to acquire some of both, in old collections, as well as hunting them on old Spoil Piles in the Keewenaw.
This is what I saw when I took off the rind of the nodule I found.
I rediscovered a stone from a few years back. I recall finding the large nodule in matrix, in the Kearsarge Lode near Calumet. I left the half-dollar size stone sticking our from its’ host rock, and just polished the face of it. I thought it was a Quartz/Epidote, salted with Copper specks (nothing remarkable). I just left it for a specimen. That stone sat around of a while, until the other day. I decided to cut the stone out of the matrix. I assumed the pattern would be the same throughout the stone.
I cut that nodule out of its’ matrix, and lo and behold, and awesome big Copper Agate. It’s the largest Copper Agate I have personally discovered.
You can’t imagine my pleasure and thrill to find that big nodule was a Large Copper Agate! This was the largest Copper Agate I have ever personally found. After cutting that stone from the host rock, enough remained to create an improbable Gemstone for another pendant.
The next slice of that big Copper Agate, produced an amazing copper agate. There was a clear Quartz top in this one, that I set one of my Island Greenstones into. Even though improbable, awesome none the less.
Last week was one of the luckiest lapidary weeks I’ve ever had lately. Unfortunately I do not have any more mine rock with giant Copper Agate Suspects in them, but I can hope I find another big nodule out in the Lode. I’ll look this year.
I’m not sure why I was so eager to make some fancy pendants this Holiday season. My normal pendant production is already really nice, but I just wanted to move some pendants to the next level, and challenge myself; Experimenting and doing things I seldom, or never, have done before. I also think that there’s a lot of negativity right now. Happy pendants are a small way that I try to counter gloom and doom.
Mythical Illusion
The first new pendant I made was a double stone flexible/swinging pendant I named “Mythical Illusion”. It’s a white Aurora Druzy Quartz on the top and an oval shaped Yellow Optical Quartz on the bottom. Little smooth sterling silver beeds between the top stone and the bottom stone add even more flash. My artsy brain had a vision that this combination would look phenomenal, and it does. Loads of muti-colored sparkle in the Druzy and cats eye effect in the Glass. Who do you know who would look glamorous in this shiny special piece?
Bedrock
The second feel good pendant is a Biggs Picture Jasper that remind me of the Joshua Tree National Park in California. That park is like some aliens came and stacked giant boulders on top of each other, I think the Flintstone town of “Bedrock” is in there somewhere, so I named this pendant “Bedrock”. Scenic stones like this are fascinating to wear and show off, as people enjoy seeing images. A great gift.
Covenant of Beauty
The third pendant, of a bright and happy nature, is a rare Green Victoria Stone. Victoria Stone ceased production in around 1980. It’s a man-made gemstone with an brilliant chatoyant effect. This dark Green has always a favorite Victoria Stone color. I decided to bling it up with some Bicone Swarovski crystals of Indicolite color. “Covenant of Beauty” is the moniker on this one; because it is! A splendid choice for the Christmas season, when you need some special bling, or if you have an Irish heritage.
Dexter the DogDexter the Pendant
The fourth Happy pendant was a Petoskey stone that reminded me of our daughter’s little dog. I named that one “Dexter”, the name of this cute Maltese/Pomeranian. If this reminds you of your pet, please feel free to change the pendant name to your own dog! A cute, smaller Petoskey stone with a nice pattern, a great piece whether you see the dog or not!
Fossil Fire
The Fifth Pendant is a red Ammonite shell from Alberta. The picture really does not do justice to the flashy reds in this fossil. “Fossil Fire” is its’ name. It really shimmers with bright red/orange/yellow fire. A great choice for someone partial to red, again a bright choice for Christmas wear, or to wear with white and black.
Sumptuous Sprinkle
Sixth is a Koroit Boulder Opal from Australia. The superb colors share the spotlight of the sheen of the hematite, various browns, and yellow opal in the center. Careful examination under a light will also surprise the owner with rare purple, lavender and green . The colors are so much more pronounced in person. “Sumptuous Sprinkle” has sprinkles of color hidden throughout the matrix.
Sublime
The Seventh new pendant is a delightful piece of Copper Ore from the Keweenaw Peninsula. A greenish back suggests it came from a mine in the central part of the Keweenaw. The Prehnite matrix hints of the Cliff mine. I sealed this one to prevent tarnishing. It has just the right amount of Copper in it. I named it “Sublime”. Large enough for a bold person!
Green Fantasy
I think the Eighth Pendant could be my favorite of this group. An exceptional Green Variscite, from Utah, featuring Jade beads and Swarovski Crystals. “Green Fantasy” was an obvious name. This should be for your favorite fancy lady. It would look great at Christmas, but also for a wedding or anniversary occasion. Its luscious, and so will she look!
Friendly Stare
A Copper Agate was added to a set of Ocean Jasper Eyes, to create this whimsical character. He’s number nine in this collection. My vision here was a cross between a “Droid” from Star Wars and an Owl. I named this pendant “Friendly Stare”, because, well, just look at those eyes!. Wouldn’t someone you know really like to wear him?
Heavy Metal
A Silver-Copper Nugget, found on a beach in the Keweenaw, is my 10th new Pendant. For over a hundred years, we referred to these as “Halfbreeds”. This seems to be a negative term anymore, perpetuated by non-Native Americans, who think it is a negative term. I do not think it to be negative in any way, as it refers to a chunk of Copper with Silver in it, and not any indigenous peoples. These rare pieces are highly valued, and fun to wear. I called this Pendant “Heavy Metal”. This is my tenth happy/anti-negativity pendant.
Green Steed
This carved Unakite horse was found at the Tucson Shows a few years ago. These carved Equines are very much appreciated by the horse lovers, each one a bit different. I named this guy “Green Steed”. Unakite is common in the Glacial Tills in the Great Lakes region. My eleventh Festive Pendant.
Holiday Pink
Pink Petoskey Stones are a real treasure.. Some of them are real “Shiners” even in the rough. This was one of the best PinkPets I found this year. While hunting in the rain on a gravel road, this stone really stood out. A fine pattern, exceptionally Pink, and hard enough to take a glass-like shine. My 12th new pendant, Now I’ve covered all 12 days of Christmas. I’ve named this pendant “Holiday Pink”.
Happy Blues
Since you have waded thru all the 12 days of Jewelry, you deserve a bonus; A Bakers Dozen, so to speak. A rare and beautiful Centennial Blue Datolite. About the only place you can find these are in old collections. I named this Datolite Pendant “Happy Blues”,
Not being interrupted by snow removal, makes it easier to up my jewelry creations. When this blog is published, all these pendants should be posted on our websites. If you do not find them, contact us, and refer to the name I gave each pendant.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year everyone. If you celebrate another Holiday; Happy that one also. We do not care what Holiday you celebrate , as long is Snob Appeal Jewelry is involved! Stay Merry!
Hand crafted gemstones masterfully wire-wrapped by Don Reed are the heart of what you find on our website. Our one-of-a-kind stone pendants make thoughtful gifts. Hand crafted jewelry gifts are always well received. You don’t have to wait for a big holiday to give a pretty gemstone gift. A pretty stone pendant is appreciated anytime, and gifts given “just because I thought you’d like it” are fondly received.
Shopping during the Christmas season is brisk, because presents are expected, but try giving a nice gift in January or March “just because I love you”. Gifts for “no reason” are especially appreciated.
The holiday season is over, but we are still making jewelry. The holidays tend to energize me enough to make some of my best new things afterward. We know you need gifts for all kinds of upcoming events and occasions.
A small Greenstone from Isle Royale old stock. The colors and patterns in Island stones are amazing.
Watch for our Tucson Gem Show Reports
We have started thinking about the big shows in Tucson and Quartzsite and will be searching out those hidden treasures you expect from us. This month I’ll show you some recent hand crafted jewelry you have not seen. As I write this just after Christmas I have enjoyed making some of you happy, happy, and you are adorned with your newly-created jewelry. Other folks have birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or other special occasions coming up. You can purchase our jewelry on line, custom order using our gemstones or yours, see us at the Art Shows we participate in, or purchase our jewelry at Copper World in Calumet, Michigan, or Richardson’s Jewelers in Escanaba or Marquette.
Web Tip:
On any page of our website you can search for the perfect hand crafted Jewelry gift. Try typing in “special occasion” in the white box, and see what’s available today.
February’s blogs will be from the shows in Tucson (and perhaps Quartzsite). Keep checking this blog.
An amazing Copper Agate from the Kearsarge Lode in the Keweenaw Peninsula. This one has unusual banding.
Copper, Datolite, Epidote from the Kearsarge Lode.
A Koroit Boulder Opal dressed in lavender.
I decided this bright red Gem Bone is what many people look for in Dinosaur Bone. The bottom piece swings, and moves with the body.
Malachite pseudomorphs of azurite, Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico. One of the prettiest gemstones you’ll ever see. These look like they’re sewn with green silk. The stones must be stabilized before being made into jewelry.
A Swarovski Crystal angel crystal set.
Marra Mamba Tiger Iron was Bonnie’s Christmas Gift Pendant. loc. Western Australia
Bonnie has a good hole dug, and is looking for little green nodules that may be Copper Agates.
I’m not too far away in my own hole.
After 20 years of searching the mine spoil piles in the Keweenaw, with great success, I have to admit one of my biggest blunders. I used to dig large holes in the what was left of the C&H pile, near Calumet, with my buddy Bill, looking for Datolites. At that time, if I came across a piece of copper while Datolite digging, I would keep it, but I would also find other Chlorite covered nodules, that we would call copper balls and just heave them out of the hole.
You would never believe whats may be inside these nodules.
Here’s the suprise.
Today these Chlorite covered nodules are coveted by collectors around the world. You guessed it–Many of these nodules we threw away were Copper Banded (Infused) Agates. Nobody knew at that time that these things would end up being valuable gemstones. Later I learned that my friend, the late John Perona and his brother knew about these agates for many years. Today, we also know that these special agates are found nowhere else in the world except in the Kearsarge Lode. The Powebic Lode to the South where the Quincy, Mesnard, and Franklin Mines resided, have not produced Copper Agates. You do not see Copper Agates in the rocks of the Fissure and Stratiform Deposits to the North either; so the Kearsarge Lode of the Calumet Conglomerate is very unique indeed.
Careful cutting is involved with these Copper Agates.
It’s been so many years that I forgot where my hole was, and the area has been tilled up a few times, so all those agates I threw out; who knows where they are. I actually looked for my old hole last time I was in the area. I clearly forgot where it was.
A diligent and alert Rockhound can still find Copper Agates in the Kearsarge Lode if they are willing to put in some work excavating and carefully observing the pieces of spoil rock that might contain nodules that read “hot” with a pinpoint metal detector. I enjoy sitting down and digging, especially in late August, after Black Fly season. It’s even better if it’s raining. These little balls of glory stand out a whole lot better in the rain. the usual scenario is you see a rock of rubble with nodules in it and try to extract them with tools.
How these agates formed is debatable, but the theory that makes the most sense is suggested by the Lynch brothers in their fine book Agates of Lake Superior. You’ll have to read the book to see what they say about Copper Infused Agates. I prefer that term over Copper Replacement Agates, but most of the time I just refer to them as “Copper Agates“.
My last trip involved some very successful Greenstone digging, but no Copper Agate hunting. I only had limited rock hunting time this trip, so I had to chose between Greenstones or Copper Agates.
Copper Agates are rarely really large, but some real sizable. Fully banded beauties, are sometimes found as large as a half dollar. I’m happy to find a dime sized one, but like Greenstones, a big hunker is very welcome, and always elicits a “WHOOP!”.
Here are most of those Cabochons from above turned into jewelry. All these are for sale at: www.snobappealjewelry.com
I do have miner friends in the area that usually have some Copper Agates for sale, so I always buy a few. I purchase these agates with the question; Can I make these better? If I believe that I can, I will take them home for a re-work before making jewelry. Most often Copper Agates are cut in half and sold as a pair, but often I take a pair and grind the rind off the outside where better banding may appear (or may not). Often, the odd shapes of these nodules do not allow working the outside rind, due to all the gaps and dips in the stones, so these I either work with what the slice has produced or just sell or trade these for specimens. Most Copper Agates are bought as specimens and not so much for jewelry.
The Kearsage Lode also produces small pastel, banded agates that have little of no copper in them, but are very fine; we refer to these as “mine agates”. When found these are also Chlorite covered, just as are the Copper Banded Agates. I take everything and sort them by removing the crust in my home shop.
I work Copper Agates using my soft wheels only with loads of water to keep them cool and, for proper lubrication, an additive is added to the water when cutting. Special grinding techniques are used also. I generally treat these Copper Infused Agates with a coating to make them tarnish resistant, rather than polishing them. The coating I use is one of my trade secrets.
I sell Copper Agate pendants on line, at art shows and within a mile of where I find them, at Copper World, in Calumet. The jewelry I make from these rare agates is spectacular, simply because the Copper Agates are spectacular. It seems as though Copper Banded Agates are becoming very popular as of late. I have a good selection now, and you should remember, the closer to Christmas, the more your choice narrows.
I hope you have sensed my frustration at having tossed out hundreds of Copper Agates. I’ve got to work on my memory, because if I get it back, I’ll be INFUSED with Copper Infused Agates.
On our most recent trip to the Keweenaw I successfully found some wonderful gemstone rough material to work into new jewelry pieces. When I say I “found” great gemstone rough: I mean I found several friends who were willing, for cash, to part with some wonderful local minerals! Rare colored Datolite is drawing a premium price, even in the rough.
Iron Lace Agate is now extinct.
The annual Ishpeming Show is always interesting, and most of the time if you look in the crevices of this show, good, and sometimes great treasures, can be found. Being an experienced, senior rockhound sometimes has its advantages at times. Being around the block with some of the old, now extinct, gemstone materials has advantages over younger rockhounds. I often recognize old material from back 30 years or more that is seldom seen. This happened at the Ishpeming show.
I saw some Iron Lace Agates from the Republic mine that were briefly available… I’m betting that not many know what these agates really were, and the history of them. A seam of Iron Lace Agate (named by the Ishpeming Rock Club) was very briefly mined back in the 70’s from the North wall of the New Republic Mine near Marquette. I purchased a few and will make jewelry for the Agate Expo next year.
Ultra rare Keweenae Point canary yellow Datolite
Deleware Datolite with Copper inclusions
The other wonderful things I sought out with success was some caramel yellow Mesnard Datolite, a piece of impossibly rare, canary yellow, Keweenaw Point Datolite, some wonderful, Copper included, Delaware Datolite, some classic Yellow Quincy Datolite, a slightly different yellow than the Yellow Point datolite. It’s always a good day when I find some rare Centenniel Blue Datolite. Blue Centennial Datolite is now very hard to find. I also found several spectacular Lakers to work with.
Blue Centennial Datolite. These pieces seem to flow to pink toward the bottom
Mesnard Mustard.
The Isle Royale Copper Mine had some of the hardest Datolite of a light green color, and also some Blue Datolite, much of it a softer, requiring some stabilization in order to work with it for jewelry.
Copper included Agates are a wonderful find. I love these things
I just started working with all my new rocks, so you will see jewelry soon.
I got an opportunity to use my new rock-hunting tool, the Broll (I think it’s an abbreviation for a bucket roller). The Broll has recently come on to the market and is a wonderful, work saving device. I saw it advertised in Rock and Gem magazine, and my wife got it for me as a gift. It has large wheels and a ring that holds a five gallon bucket. I tried it a few times at home and found the only issue I had with it was it only had a grip handle.
Brolling on the rock pile.
Being a tinkerer I added a wagon type handle, making the Broll more towable. I mounted the handle vertically. This is my natural position for towing it. I had the opportunity to use it on the rock pile and on the beaches of Lake Superior. The bucket swings in its ring making it swing back and forth as I pull it across the very uneven terrain of the mine dumps! What a verstile tool!
A Broll on a stroll.
It easily holds my hammers and small tools as well as a load of rocks. Get one; the Broll is really great. No–I do not hold stock in the company!
How can you have so many rocks and no agates?
I found one very nice Copper Agate that really set off my pinpoint detector. It is in its ugly stage in the rock so I’ll show you later when I cut it out.
The beach produced a couple small agates, some Unakite, Quartz Crystals, and assorted “pretty” rocks for Bonnie’s gardens.
Today we are going to our first organized hunt at the Medora Mine. Looking for Greenstones!!
Most rockhounds flock to Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula to find copper, but there are many other rocks and minerals that are much more rare.Any rocks and minerals that were not native silver or native copper were thought of as “Trash” and ended up on the mine rubble piles.Today we are aware of these rare treasures and dig through these old piles to find them.Unfortunately many of the spoils piles have been hauled away for fill or crushed and put under roads.Justimagine the treasures that could be found under the pavements in the Keweenaw!
I found this one inch beauty within minutes of sitting down to dig. I just had to pluck it out with my fingers.
The current hottest gemstones in the U.P. are copper-included agates.Copper has replaced some of the banding in these agates.They are generally pink and often include green.These agates are found only in a few of the mine spoil piles here in the Keweenaw, and I do not know of any other place in the world where you can get them.They generally sell at premium prices (if you can find them).Some of these agates do not include copper, but are rare none-the-less just because they are associated with the copper mines.
Chris "slams" a rock containing agates.
The business end of Chris' slammer.
There are two ways you might find these rare beauties.One is finding a “floater”, or an agate nodule that has broken free of any matrix. On a huge pile of rock, you could wish for a better strategy.The second way to find these agates is to find a rock with nodules and break the rock open to expose the usually small agates. The agates can be easily fractured, so care and a lot of finesse are required to extract them.Yes, they do show up on a sensitive metal detector.
My friend Chris has a custom built “slammer” that has a chisel on the end and virtually “slams” the rock apart.However, most of us break the rock with a heavy hammer and a strong arm.One rock I found and Chris broke open contained several copper agates, but it took some time and effort to get them out.A couple agates were sacrificed in the extraction, and Chris somehow bisected one agate perfectly in half.
Those that know (me) know that if I cannot make a piece of jewelry from a rock, I probably don’t need it.I am not a specimen collector, but I sometimes find specimens, and usually keep them for barter.I found a few “traders” already and look forward to a few more as the week goes on.I think that another Copper included agate hunt may happen tomorrow.I really had fun today.
Two perfect agate halves.
They used to have convicts break rock as punishment, and we were out there doing it for fun.But we did get to leave at our choice, just about lunchtime!Smashing with the crack hammer is serious work, and Bonnie’s arm is still sore. I think IF I can keep her hammering for a few more days, perhaps her arm muscles will strengthen (good luck with that, Don).
By the way, Chris found the largest agate today, but Bonnie was a close second.
