News

HOORAH!! We are back in the rock cutting business.  After a four-year hiatus, needed to address health concerns, we are back in production.  A long-awaited new lapidary saw arrived this week and we are beginning to process a few of the pieces of rough that we have stockpiled the last couple of years.  Our goal is to get a few varieties to market before we head south to the Arizona shows.                     There is some awesome material including; Ocean Jasper, Shattuckite, Willow Creek, Owyhee, Wild Horse Picture Jasper, Rocky Butte, Larsonite, Green...

After resolving some health issues, the natural “hunting and gathering” instincts kicked into full gear and we were able to enjoy agate collecting for the first time in many years.  A trip to visit family in Eastern Montana gave us the perfect opportunity to explore and acquire some exceptional Montana Moss Agate. Montana agate is noted for the exceptional clarity of matrix, highlighted with contrasting red/orange bands of color sprinkled with black mossy dendrites or trees.  In addition, some of the bright colored contrasting patterns form uniquely beautiful patterns.  If one is really lucky, a rare thin slab will produce...

  We left Montana just in time, escaping the weeklong onslaught of cold and ice.  Nothing feels better than that first wave of warm air as you travel south down I 15 and reach the Virgin River Gorge.  We hit the ground running. After quicky unloading the winter supplies, it was off to see what the vendors had to show at Desert Gardens, Tyson Wells, Prospector’s Panorama and the famed Quartz PowWow.                                                           ...

Long time miner and vendor at the Quartzsite and Tucson shows, Fernado, brought this Mexican agate/jasper material to market a couple of years ago.  The claim was small but produced very high-quality material in limited amounts. It is a fantastic agate with flame colored moss and plumes.  Appropriately named Quetzal for the tropical bird, the colors are similarly bright and bold.  The brilliant orange, red, and gold inclusions are set in clear agate or multicolored jasper.  Most patterns are very clear and distinct which will make outstanding displays or cabochons for jewelry.  This agate will take a great polish for...

Greetings from the southwest.  Arizona has provided warm weather, opportunity to hunt for rocks both in the desert and at the shows.  Even at 90 years old mom still enjoys hunting for rocks in the desert!! Once spring arrives in the North we will be headed home to get the saws running and unpack the winter’s treasures.  There are some great lapidary specimens that we will be sharing with you throughout the year.  The most impressive part of the shows for me is the international materials. There are a few new and exciting materials that I can hardly wait to...