Dr. F.
climber
So Cal
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 24, 2011 - 07:44pm PT
|
I've been collecting since I was wee boy,
and now have an extensive collection
I like all rocks, but have specialized in collecting Crystals
I have found a lot of great things, and continue to collect
But my finest collection is of rocks I bought at Rock Shows over the years
I only collect non-cut, or non-polished crystals
Here is sampling
Please Post your stuff
I know Russ collects, maybe we can get him to post
I won the OC County Fair 1st Place for ALL Collections with this display, all natural
Minature Gem Crystals
Here are some shelfs of the display cases
Me and my wife found these great quartz crystals, that some say, is very near Joshua Tree
|
|
Dr. F.
climber
So Cal
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 24, 2011 - 07:50pm PT
|
Me and my wife just got back from Quartzite last weekend
we bought some stuff
But was mostly excited about the petrified wood we found, about 100 lbs of nice pieces
also nice Jasper/agate pebbles, that are naturally polished
The pebbles are interesting, because they come out of the earth already polished, meaning that they must have been polished before the time the wood was being petrified
Interesting indeed
|
|
Dr. F.
climber
So Cal
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 24, 2011 - 08:01pm PT
|
Another place we go to collect is just off the 15, past Barstow
My wife goes crazy, there is just too much great stuff, and she fills buckets of it, and I have to haul it back to the truck
we sell this stuff, for cactus collectors to stage their plants with, $1.50lb
I usually go for a long hike checking out other things around, and then fill a bucket or two
These are the chunks of jasper you pick up
wind polished, (actually sand blown by the wind)
|
|
Captain...or Skully
climber
leading the away team, but not in a red shirt!
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 08:04pm PT
|
Minerals has some amazing piles of rocks. He would, though, huh?;-)
I just make rock gardens.
|
|
Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 08:21pm PT
|
Thanks, Craig!
What scale are those photos at? Maybe you should include a ruler or Swiss army knife of something?
I guess it must be illegal to collect rocks in parks, at least for non-scientific purposes. Greg?
|
|
Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 08:22pm PT
|
Dr. F:
Very nice crystals!
Do you go to the Tucson Gem & Mineral show in Feb?
There are some huge and fine crystals on display there!
Heidi & I got in trouble at the show, in 2007, trying to get much closer to a very large Brazilian Quartz crystal.
Here's the story! (from an earlier email to my pal Stein)
Dear Stein:
We did attempt to summit a large quartz crystal, but -------"the pooch was screwed in the attempt!"
I didn't want to write about it------since it was personally embarrassing to me----but since you both ask and accuse
The natives were suspicious of us after we took the pictures. The crystals were of course, guarded closely by jealous Brazilians----hunky brutes, with biceps and dark oily skin tones----and hair---lots of hair.
I believe they thought the crystals would fetch a higher price if their tops were not covered with: cairns, bolts, summit registers, and rappel slings. Perhaps they even hoped to auction them to some pervert who would actually purchase virgin crystals to have his way with.
Heidi and I moved to one side of the largest crystal. After a quick examination I realized the only alternative to a shoulder stand was to shuck my shoes and socks to attempt the French "en Ungle" (with toenails) technique.
While Heidi (clever lass) converted my shoe laces to rappel slings, and spliced our belts and pack straps, along with some plastic garbage bags together to make a serviceable rope -----I carefully examined the hidden North Face of the crystal for micro-ledges.
At that moment: the largest guard confronted me!! I have no doubt that his right hand held a hidden knife.
He snarled in broken Spanish----"hombre! Usted chinga con el crystal-----me tene su cojones e tu mujar!"
I took that as a vile threat to two things that I cherish the most.
The assault was ended and we retreated---glad to be still in one piece.
Count it as the first back-off of 2007 --------if you must.
Fritz
|
|
Dr. F.
climber
So Cal
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 24, 2011 - 08:24pm PT
|
I should do a lot of things
but forgot the ruler
the Joshua crystals are about 2-3 inches in front
the single, 4 inches
|
|
Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 08:24pm PT
|
But its a crime to take rock out of a state/national park......
WTF*#k
Laugh Out Louda
|
|
Dr. F.
climber
So Cal
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 24, 2011 - 08:28pm PT
|
I have gone to the Tuscon show three times
but am now on self imposed exile from it
It's too big, there is way too much, I spend my meager cash in the first 15 minutes, and then just drool the next two days
so now I only go to small shows, there was a show in Costa Mesa
I spend my cash on cactus now, I've shifted to living gems
Those are some splendid giants you are climbing on
|
|
kinnikinik
Trad climber
B.C.
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 08:29pm PT
|
|
|
Captain...or Skully
climber
leading the away team, but not in a red shirt!
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 08:32pm PT
|
Beware, Kinnikinik!
You might set off a mystical chain reaction of incredible proportions!
Yeesh.
|
|
Dr. F.
climber
So Cal
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 24, 2011 - 08:35pm PT
|
Top shelf!
Jar Collection
Our Insurance Company made us get a High Tech security system
so we have no worries
|
|
Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 08:38pm PT
|
Dr. F - those are really really beautiful! Your home must be a scrumptious visual bonanza.
|
|
LEB
climber
PA
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 08:40pm PT
|
I don't know quite how to tell you this DF but I have a HUGE crystal, better than your largest one and it is clear and perfectly formed. Bought in the late 80s from an old rock hound man who had no friggin idea what he was selling - $15.
My mother has a huge (and I do mean) huge amethyst geode. My late father's only regret is that he did not buy the more expensive one which had more deeply colored stones, He did not want to spring for it at the time ($75 versus $125) but he never had the opportunity to buy it again. It was another one of those one-of-a-kind opportunities.
That aside, you have a lovely collection, for sure.
PS I just looked up the amethyst cathedral geodes - unbelievable. If he knew what the one he passed up was worth, he would be turning in grave. Well, I guess $125 was worth a whole lot more way back then. It would be worth many thousands now.
|
|
Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 09:04pm PT
|
LEB! I had no doubt you would turn up here!
Mine's bigger than yours!
|
|
S.Leeper
Social climber
Ft. Useless, Virginia
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 09:12pm PT
|
Did you see the natgeo show on this amazing crystal cave in Mexico?
|
|
LEB
climber
PA
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 09:14pm PT
|
Nice one Fritz, nice one! I love these beauties, don't you. Actually, I am very "attached" to my crystal. Wouldn't trade it or sell it for anything. I am "bonded" with it. Have some nice eggs and spheres as well. Actually, I love all of my crystals. Not sure how people can sell them.
|
|
locker
Social climber
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2011 - 09:17pm PT
|
LOL!!!... @ Fritz...
"GUD" one!!!...
|
|
Dr. F.
climber
So Cal
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 24, 2011 - 09:19pm PT
|
LEB, I got 1000s of F-ing Crystals
I doubt you have one larger than my largest
but please post, and we can take a look at it
|
|
Dr. F.
climber
So Cal
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 24, 2011 - 09:20pm PT
|
Quartz Crystal Case
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!