Rocks

[den]

Uncut topaz Dad fossicked from north Queensland. The coloured one is the size of a large pea.



I'll take them to a jeweller soon to see about cutting them.

Comments

[oceansedge.livejournal.com]

very pretty!

[beki.livejournal.com]

Those are way pretty :)

[walkertxkitty.livejournal.com]

*turns green with envy* I collect gems, rocks, and minerals. I've never been able to get hold of an uncut topaz or opal but I love them both. You're lucky to live somewhere which produces them.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

It's only a 3000km drive to the place. 8) The Opals are much closer.

[walkertxkitty.livejournal.com]

Hmm...I wonder if I could convince the hubby I need to go to Australia in order to get rocks...

Probably not. He refers to my collection as a bunch of "Hawaiian sex stones" (aka "another fucking rock") and doesn't undestand the need to collect them. I must be part ferret or something because I do like the stones, the shinier the better.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

There isn't a lot around here, just quartz, but Lightning Ridge is just 5 hours up the road (like black opals?), and there are gem fossicking areas all over Queensland, especially in the north.

[walkertxkitty.livejournal.com]

I like regular rocks too. Whenever we go somewhere which has them, I usually load up the car. Florida has no rocks and I miss them.

[jim-lane.livejournal.com]

You do have those incredible "fire opals", right? Any mines within reasonable distance?

[oceansedge.livejournal.com]

Fire opal - if I'm not mistaken is mostly Mexican, with some coming from Brazil.

[jim-lane.livejournal.com]

True, but Australia does produce some; just not a lot.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Lightning Ridge is 5 hours north (black opals) Another 5 hours north of there are the Quilpie opal fields (boulder opals (http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/articles/boulder)) and about 20 hours west of here is White Cliffs (mostly white potch with stunning blues and greens, and fossils.)

In South Aus there are Coober Pedy and Andamooka but they're a little further than a day's drive.

Opal Fields (http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/articles/fields.htm)

[jim-lane.livejournal.com]

I'd heard that Australia had some spectacular opals. You confirmed it! *grin*

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

*envy*

[http://users.livejournal.com/crossfire_/]

ooo, sparkley!

I also collect minerals and gems. I would dearly love to get my hands on some uncut Australian fire opals.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Whe You Visit, we'll head up to Lightning Ridge for a few days. 8)