Tag Archives: Thomsonite

Thomsonite-The Amazing Pink Gemstone of Lake Superior.

Selecting Thomsonite and having coffee..can't get much better.

A few weeks ago I got a call from Grand Marais, Minnesota from a man I immediately liked. He said he was going to open a storefront and having seen my Greenstone Blog with the little Greenstones lined up on dop sticks, he thought I may be interested in selling some. He mentioned he had some very nice Thomsonite. I think we were on the same page, when I suggested we may be able to work out a barter; Greenstone for Thomsonite.

We met half way between his house and mine, in the Keweenaw. I looked through some very fine Thomsonite, while he looked through my Greenstone stash. I think we ended up with an equitable trade thus far. The trade is not complete as I need to get up to the North Shore and get more Thomsonte from him since he promised that there was lots more still at home. Who can carry all there rocks with them?

A selection or Thomsonite that are going to be cabbed and made into jewelry.

I recently cabbed the larger pieces, with great results. I even made a couple pendants from these gorgeous gemstones. These wild-eyed beauties of amazing pink are very popular. You know that Snob Appeal Jewelry specializes in Great Lakes rocks and minerals. Lake Superior Agates and Greenstones are our best sellers, followed by Thomsonite, Datolite, and Petoskey Stone jewelry, especially the rare Pink Petoskey.

Thomsonite is a copper-associated zeolite, and many of these gemstones sport little crystals of copper. Thomsonite is also found in the Keweenaw, but normally not with the dark eyes seen in North Shore stones. Both gemstones are highly coveted, scarce in good quality, and difficult to find and extract.

After cutting and wrapping the Thomsonite shown in the previous picture, I put them back near their same location in that picture.

If you look at the piece in the bottom left of the picture, you will notice a large “Feather” Thomsonite. This form shows no eyes and is comprised of tiny silky needles showing a chatoyancy, or sheen, that cannot be captured in a picture. If you ever get a chance to see one of these feathers, don’t pass it up. It is really amazing gem material.

The finished gemstones in the second picture were all cut in one day. I’ve been making cabochons for a lot of years, but I cannot remember a single day that my cutting has produced a more beautiful collection of gemstones. I had a smile on my face during the whole process.

Pink eyes are indicative of Thomsonite. Pink gold with gold or silver enhance this gemstone.

As I make Thomsonite Pendants from these stones, I discover even more beauty. It amazes me how no matter what color precious wire I use, the jewelry still looks fantastic. Two tone wire wraps of gold, silver, and pink gold show off these fantastic gemstones. I like to give them a little bling with an elegant top, but as always, I am careful not to distract from the amazing Thomsonite stone.

I am trying to get a few more pendants made, but I just had to take a break and show you the ones I made thus far. I think you will love them as much as I do.

Every Thomsonite lover looks for a dark eyed beauty. I expect this one to sell fast.

Every Thomsonite lover looks for a dark eyed beauty for their stone jewelry collection.

Thomsonite from Lake Superior

Beautiful eyes usually dominate high quality Thomsonite.

Thomsonite is rare and beautiful. The most striking Thomsonite colors and patterns come from Lake Superior’s north shore in the Grand Marais area. This eyed Zeolite has to be the most attractive stone in the Zeolite family. High quality Thomsonite, with dramatic greens and pinks, is highly prized by rockhounds.

I love finding Thomsonite and polishing them to expose the gorgeous eyes.

In this post I decided to show you before and after photos showing the Thomsonite cabochons and the pendants I made from them.

All the beachfront in the Grand Marais is private property and the owners are very protective. Some basalts in the area have Thomsonite inclusions. Extracting these gemstones involves cutting them out. The gemstone is very brittle and fragile, so hammers and chisels cannot be used.

The best deposit near Thomsonite Beach was buried years ago to create a public park. The best chance to obtain high quality Thomsonite is from old collections or local hunters that know where to find this elusive gemstone.

Thomsonite is sometimes found on Isle Royale and in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. In the Keweenaw we also find a mineral that often mimics Thomsonite. This is the colorful Prehnite. Prehnite is referred to locally as “U.P. Thomsonite” and often sports eyes and chatoyant, feathery patterns, like Thomsonite, except it is not a Zeolite. Many inexperienced rockhounds mistake Prenite for Thomsonite. Thomsonite is much less common than Prehnite.

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Recently I obtained several beautiful pieces from a dealer that had purchased an old collection of Thomsonite from an estate. These gemstones are some of the best pieces of Thomsonite I’ve ever seen. Two or three of these are spoken for and the rest will be posted on this website. I really enjoyed working with all these and hope you enjoy the pendants made from these gemstones!

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Snoopy and the Red Agate

I haven’t written an “On the Workbench” blog in some time, but I thought I would let you see what I’ve done with some of the stuff I brought back from the shows in Arizona. Check the back blogs to review.

Bumblebee Jasper is not really a Jasper. Finding bright orange Bumblebee is uncommon.

One of the things that seemed all over Tucson this year was Bumblebee Jasper. This orange and black (but usually yellow and black) rock comes from Volcanic vents on the island of Bali in Indonesia. It is a mis-nomer to refer to Bumblebee as Jasper. It is neither Jasper, nor is it an Agate. The rock is in reality an Anhydrite/Sulfur/Hematite with welded volcanic tuft (ash). This stuff varies widely in hardness and contains many hole and flaws, so it is tricky to make a decent gemstone. It is also hard to find bright orange. The pendant I made looks like an evil mask. The stone was so flashy it did not need a fancy wrap.

Keswick Agate

I cut a Keswick Agate from Keswick, Iowa, leaving quite a bit of ordinary Quartz on the side. This was intentional. I envisioned using some of my wire over the Quartz to really enhance the eye-like pattern of the Agate. A plain wrap, like I did on the Bumblebee, would not work with the Keswick. Keswick Agate is difficult to obtain and good Keswick is hard to find.

Picture Petrified Wood from near Holbrook, Arizona

Picture Petrified Wood comes from near Holbrook, Arizona. One of our oldest and dearest friends sells Petoskey Stones in Tucson. She wanted a pendant and swapped me some of her Dendritic Picture Wood for making this pendant for her.

Faceted Aquamarine and Amethyst; simply wrapped;simply beautiful.

I wrapped a really fine faceted Aquamarine as well as another of Amethyst. I wrapped these so they can flip over while being worn.

Thomsonite of this quality is always popular.

The Keweenaw Peninsula and Grand Marais, Minnesota both supply the beautiful Ziolite, Thomsonite. Dark eyed Thomsonite from the north shore is the most coveted. I was just mindlessly looking around the AGTA (American Gem Trade Association) show and happened to glance down a side isle and spot a couple trays in the bottom of a display case. My eye immediately focused in on a Thompsonite. I could not believe such a gemstone would exist in a show full of common Diamonds, Rubies, and Sapphires. This one even has copper inclusions.

I asked the lady at the booth if I could look at the two trays. In a humorous manner she said, “Oh, you want to look in my junk box?” I for sure wanted to get at that “junkbox”, and found several other treasures as well as this Thomsonite.

When the dealer dropped and broke one of my Malachite slices, I immediately thought of earrings to go with the bullseye pendant.

I could not help but purchase a perfect slice of Bullseye Malachite. I dislike cutting this stuff, but put my mask and gloves on, and went to it. What a great Pendant I made from the cab. The earrings came from the second slice off the same rock, but the owner of the business dropped it on the floor at checkout, and the slab broke in half. He gave me the two pieces, so I used them. I hate wasting good material.

Snoopy?

Speaking of Malachite, I saw Snoopy in a piece. Cool stuff.

Watermelon Tourmaline

Not much bigger than a dime, two other fantastic little pendants of Watermelon Tourmaline and Montana Agate called me. I have seldom seen a small agate with such a fantastic natural picture. Watermelon Tourmaline is the most coveted breed of this gemstone. Good Tourmaline, like this one, are always popular, no matter the price.

A small Montana Agate with a "big sky" picture.

Yellow Cat

Cardinal Candy: Another rare red Yellow Cat.

Yellow Cat Petrified wood is from remote regions of Utah, and was used by Tiffany back in the day. Yellow Cat is the brightest red of any petrified wood. It is really an amazing and scarce agate. I was very excited to see some at one of the Tucson Shows. The dealer told me people walked by his supply all day; not recognizing it for what it was. I am happy my mind is full of knowledge on many rare rocks.

You hardly ever see Blue Lace Agate Drusy.

Bonnie is especially fond of Blue Lace Agate. Imagine her thrill when I found some Blue Lace Drusy. Drusy means it contains pockets full of millions of tiny Quartz Crystals. This one I made into a designer cut beauty.

The workbench and the shop are still busy. I am so pleased with all the jewelry grade rocks I obtained out west, and am still exceedingly busy and thrilled about making a new crop of jewelry. I also enjoy sharing with you guys.

Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Shows-AGTA and GJX

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Looking in Someone’s Junk Box Can be rewarding. Don Reed

So you get a feel for the layout downtown I took this photo from "A" Mountain. I-10 runs thru the center, On the closest side of I-10 are the shows in the hotels on the strip. Across the freeway over on the left side is the GJX Tent, and diectly across from the tent is the Tucson Convention Center. The annual Gem Shows bring in more money to Tucson than any other activity during the year.

So you get a feel for the layout downtown I took this photo from "A" Mountain. I-10 runs thru the center of the picture. On the closest side of I-10 are the shows in the hotels on the strip. Across the freeway over on the left side is the GJX Tent, and directly across from the tent is the Tucson Convention Center. The annual Gem Shows bring in more money to Tucson than any other activity during the year.

Entrance to the AGTA Show.

We attended the most upscale show Tucson has to offer today. The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has their annual show at the Tucson Convention Center in downtown. Also the Gem & Jewelry Exchange (JGX) has their big show in a huge hard-sided tent right across the street. Some cooperation occurs between the shows in that AGTA credentials also gets you into the JGX Show when you show your ID again. Both shows are wholesale only and require business credentials, tax licenses, and identification.

About a third of the booths at AGTA prior to opening.

A typical booth at AGTA. Great lighting enhancing many gemstones.

The AGTA show is primarily cut gemstone sales with dealers from around the world. There are booth after booth loaded with millions of gemstones in each booth. To me, every booth looks the same with salesgirls stylishly adorned, and salesmen dressed in suits. Many of these booths are Asian in nature, as most gemstones are found and cut in these countries. India was well represented, as was Thailand, China, and Australia with their opals. Security is very tight at this show. Pictures are not allowed on the show floor, but from up top I’ve not had anyone say anything.

Stone found in a "junkpile".

Other "Junkpile" stones included Queensland Agate, Montana Moss, and Citrine.

As is my nature, about half way thru this show I become bored seeing the same common rubies, sapphires, emeralds, opals, pearls, and such, in every booth. This is a show where jewelry stores and Home Shopping Networks on TV make their deals. Really big deals are made in hotel rooms, but I’ve seen some of the TV Jewelry networks making deals in the large food area. The Jewelry network buyers and some others wear VIP Buyer Credentials and are treated by the dealers as such. A sale to one of these people can truly “make” a show for a dealer.

Bi-colored Quartz.

Watermelon Tourmaline. WOW,

As I was saying before I got off track. I’m walking along just casually looking at all the same things, and I notice a couple trays of cabochons in the very bottom of a case on a little side aisle. Before I tell you what I saw, I should tell you that I asked the friendly lady if I could look at these bottom trays. “Oh, you want to see my junk trays?” I said “Yep, I want to see the junk trays.” So she hauled out three little trays from the bottom of the case.

The tray I saw at my first glance contained a wonderful LARGE THOMSONITE, obviously from the Lake Superior North Shore. I asked what she wanted for it and she said, “I don’t know what (stone) that is, but it’s half off whatever it’s marked.” My wife does not wish me to tell you what I paid for this treasure, and you would not believe me anyway. Here in Tucson in the middle of all those traditional gems it looked out of place, but our specialty at Snob Appeal Jewelry is stone pendants from the Great Lakes area, including beautiful Thomsonites. I can’t wait to get it home and do it up right! I picked out several more cabs, moss agates, Queensland agate, and citrine, from this ladies “junk”pile–wonderful stuff!

I was very thrilled with this find. What was this Thomsonite doing there mixed in with all those common gemstones?Luckily, no one else spotted it or cared about it, even with thousands just walking by… amazing.

I priced out some Watermelon Tourmaline: Wow! The prices were over the top, even wholesale. I finally bought a little piece, even though it hurt my wallet. Bonnie said she would wear it until I sold it. It is a very nice piece.

We found a dealer we buy from each year for small faceted gemstones I use to enhance my pendants. As usual, we had fun selecting from his bargain pile.

I also found some bi-color Quartz of Lemon Quartz and Smoky Quartz. This stuff makes amazing wire-wrapped jewelry.

It was a very good day to be at the shows. The Tucson experience should be on every rock enthusiasts bucket list. Watch tomorrow for a report from the Fossil Show; one of our favorites.

Thomsonite Salvaged from the Road

It’s always a dilemma to know what rock to go hunting for in the Keweenaw. The choices include scouring the rock piles Chlorastrolite (Greenstone), Datolite, Prehnite, Thomsonite, or walking the beaches for Lake Superior Agates. All of these Michigan stones are good for jewelry, so it is a pleasure to add any of them to my supply piles. Just as a lark, Bonnie & I decided to wander north in search of something, and ended up on a two-track where we had previously found Prehnite and Thomsonite.

Too bad I chipped this one.

As is my usual habit, I drive slowly down the track, and peer out the window. As I was looking out the window, I saw a small white rock nodule lying in the middle of the road. If you have ever hunted Thomsonite or Verigated Prehnite (U.P. Thomsonite), you would know to look for white bleached out nuggets of rock in the banks and the trail. I took my pick and without completely getting out of the car, hit the end of it, exposing a wonderful eyed Thomsonite. I should never have his this stone, but fortunately I just chipped it. I don’t believe I’ve ever found a nicer Thomsonite. These are so very rare when they are beautiful colors with eyes.

All day long we looked for similar pieces, but never even came close. Some days are like that, you find the best thing first, and then all the rest fails to deliver that same excitement. I can’t wait to get home and put that stone under my grinder. It will surely be the best drive-by road hunt I’ve ever had. And it was shady too. A “Cool” rock hunt in more ways than one.

The finest piece of Pink-eyed Thomsonite I ever found in the Keweenaw,

There will be more on this stone when it is finished and in a pendant.

Worlds Largest Lake Superior Agate

Panera Bread is a great place to have coffee, a pecan roll, and to blog. Everyone likes my blog from Minnesota, and I really appreciate it. People at the Agate Show from all over have told me they follow my blog–how nice!

Wild Crazy Lace

Lakers like this are all over here; like they are a common occurence.

More Lakers over a pound.

MORE!

The excitement was high at the Celebration of Agate Show today. We talked to people that just came to the show on a lark and could not believe what they saw.

World Record Agates appeared at Scott Wolter's booth today.

The excitement today was I saw loads of Lakers again that I had not seen before, including both the world record Lake Superior Agate and the world record Fairburn Agate.

How about these north shore Thomsonites?

The show attendance was around 1100 today. I had good fun just talking to rockhounds from around the U.S.

Tepee Canyon Agates

I’m just going to show you some of the amazing things I saw today, I hope you do not get bored with great agates.

You would think Fairburn Agates were common looking at this display!