ColoradoProspector   CP Club Membership Info.

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

2 Pages V   1 2 >  
Reply to this topicStart new topic
Septarian nodules
johnnybravo300
post Mar 2 2017, 04:36 PM
Post #1


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 563
Joined: 13-June 15
From: South of Gunnison in Gold Basin, Saguache County
Member No.: 120,659



I just identified these strange big rocks that look like cracked petrified mud balls as what they are. Petrified cracked mud balls haha. Forestry popped a few rocks out near my petrified wood spot to block off a trail and I thought one looked like a big turtle shell but when I flipped it over I could see the calcite crystals. I haven't looked into it until now and then I saw mikes video and some others. I've never seen them before but very cool.
I only knew of the one on top of the ground that I could find and be able to move so I went out there and broke it up to see. There's no way I could dig one up out of the frozen ground now.
The hill behind my snowmobile in those pics is full of them that I found last summer but I haven't dug any yet. There were turtle heads all over just barely poking through but I didn't really know what it was.
It seemed much heavier than other rocks it's size. They aren't decomposed at all and I really had to beat it to break it. Hope these pics turn out.
Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image


Attached Image

 


--------------------
Level 2 member -12/25/16
Referral code JL697
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
johnnybravo300
post Mar 2 2017, 05:29 PM
Post #2


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 563
Joined: 13-June 15
From: South of Gunnison in Gold Basin, Saguache County
Member No.: 120,659



Mrs johnnybravo enjoying the sun. That's the area behind her I'm talking about with the turtle heads.
Seems like they would be better specimens for cutting and polishing. I'm not sure there's any other way to appreciate them or the calcite inside. I couldn't remove anything intact on this one.

Are they worth messing with if I don't have a saw or finishing equipment?
Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image


Attached Image


Attached Image


Attached Image

 


--------------------
Level 2 member -12/25/16
Referral code JL697
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
johnnybravo300
post Mar 2 2017, 05:39 PM
Post #3


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 563
Joined: 13-June 15
From: South of Gunnison in Gold Basin, Saguache County
Member No.: 120,659



I've seen all different sizes of septarian nodules on the internet. Would they tend to be about the same size in an area or is there a chance I might find some small ones with the bigger ones? Seems like they might be size specific to an area and since they all would have formed at the same time in any one area that might make sense. Softball size might be something I could work with.
Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image


Attached Image


Attached Image


Attached Image

 


--------------------
Level 2 member -12/25/16
Referral code JL697
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
johnnybravo300
post Mar 2 2017, 06:49 PM
Post #4


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 563
Joined: 13-June 15
From: South of Gunnison in Gold Basin, Saguache County
Member No.: 120,659



More good news. Got cleared for my 12 week check up today, doc said start working it for strength now but just be careful. I shouldn't hurt the rotator cuff repair at this point but it's slightly frozen so I'm feeling that tightness. Nothing to heavy yet, just work up in weight and it's super weak anyway. I'm just happy I can dig and have my life back somewhat now haha.
The new inverter came today and seems to be charging the laptop so I can have that access again for research. It's way easier for interactive maps than this phone and i'll try it tonight. I think we are driving over monarch tomorrow for a snowshoe somewhere and some panning then to salida Walmart which is always handy.
Gold occurrences of Colorado also came!! Woo-hoo!

I also wanted to add if anyone wants a septarian nodule you're free to jump in. If there's a way we could sell one as a club and have a big shindig that would be even better. There's probably more than I could ever want or need and it mght take a back hoe to lift some of these! They look awesome even as a whole specimen to me. I just had those ramblings to add.
The raft landings are thawing out along the river and showing alot of exposed gravels so I may get on with that detecting adventure on Saturday. There's gold jewelry there I just know it and the f2 will find it I'm pretty confident. Well see!


--------------------
Level 2 member -12/25/16
Referral code JL697
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Crusty
post Mar 2 2017, 07:46 PM
Post #5


Master Mucker!
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,430
Joined: 6-June 13
From: Falcon, CO
Member No.: 82,915



A few of us have dug for them down by la junta. Never know what you might find in them... open a bunch and just get average calcite and then the next one could be barite or something else cool


--------------------
Find Colorado Prospector on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/170314493176558

CP Lifetime Member

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Woody
post Mar 2 2017, 08:17 PM
Post #6


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 637
Joined: 5-April 11
From: All of Colorado
Member No.: 15,615



Hey johnnybravo300,

To answer you question about the size being specific to any given areas.......... They absolutely do occur in aggregate sizes, "Side by Side" so to speak. Sometimes you can find a softball sized
one snuggled right up next to one the size of a Volkswagen! And just as Crusty says, I've never been able to correlate the contents, "good or bad", from just looking at the outside. Good luck, Woody.


--------------------
Proud CP Lifetime Member
(currently working hard in the procurement department)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
MikeS
post Mar 2 2017, 09:14 PM
Post #7


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 898
Joined: 9-January 14
From: Denver, CO
Member No.: 116,265



QUOTE (johnnybravo300 @ Mar 2 2017, 04:29 PM) *
Are they worth messing with if I don't have a saw or finishing equipment?


Good crystal cavities are more likely found in larger nodules. The calcite and other minerals tend to seep in through cracks so I have found that the ones showing cracks on the outside tend to have better chance of crystals. I recommend exploiting the cracks as much as possible. In most cases saws or finishing equipment are not very practical for these nodules. Calcite does not quite qualify as a "locatable mineral" and are unlikely to be very profitable unless your finding some nice Barite crystals with them then you may be on to something. Until then I say you have a cool spot to go find crystals for fun.

More pics and video of calcite finds can be found in the Colorado Calcite topic.


--------------------

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
johnnybravo300
post Mar 2 2017, 09:53 PM
Post #8


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 563
Joined: 13-June 15
From: South of Gunnison in Gold Basin, Saguache County
Member No.: 120,659



I'll dig a few up and bust them open sometime this summer when I'm at home bored and need something to do. I'm usually too focused on gold to do much anything else when I get time off but these aren't going anywhere haha.
Thanks for the info......
We deal with old rocks everyday in this of course but to see a petrified nodule like that and to think about the time between then and now is mind boggling. A shark could have swam by these when they were just baby mud balls and now they sitting at 8800 feet! Really puts it into perspective.


--------------------
Level 2 member -12/25/16
Referral code JL697
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Crusty
post Mar 3 2017, 01:09 PM
Post #9


Master Mucker!
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,430
Joined: 6-June 13
From: Falcon, CO
Member No.: 82,915



QUOTE (Woody @ Mar 2 2017, 07:17 PM) *
Hey johnnybravo300,

To answer you question about the size being specific to any given areas.......... They absolutely do occur in aggregate sizes, "Side by Side" so to speak. Sometimes you can find a softball sized
one snuggled right up next to one the size of a Volkswagen! And just as Crusty says, I've never been able to correlate the contents, "good or bad", from just looking at the outside. Good luck, Woody.



WOODY,,!!!! always great to hear from you! Hope all is well!


--------------------
Find Colorado Prospector on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/170314493176558

CP Lifetime Member

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Woody
post Mar 3 2017, 06:45 PM
Post #10


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 637
Joined: 5-April 11
From: All of Colorado
Member No.: 15,615



Johnnybravo300,

Funny you should mention prehistoric sharks and petrified wood when referencing these nodules……
Of all the interesting items a person can find inside these creations, fossils are certainly on the list. When I go out looking for Septarian Nodules, “as was the case a few weeks ago”, I am not
just looking for crystals.

Now taking a step backwards… let’s say we were looking for just crystals… of any kind! Smokey Crystals for example. The best finds of that day would probably be Smokey Crystals with
Fluorite, or Smokey and Amazonite…… Combos right?

Well if you keep your eyes peeled, you might just find some Septarian Nodule Crystals in association with Fossils. I picked these up a few weeks ago. Nothing exceptionally fine that day, just a
large variety of shells. But laying around the yard here somewhere is a nice Ammonite on one side and Nodule Crystals on the other. So when you smack one of these open, and before you
move on to the next, look it over for any cool combos. Good luck, I know they are out there.

Crusty,

I’m doing good, shout out to you as well. I still get out all the time rain or shine when I can. Even snow can’t keep me away but my job seems to try hard at times. I’ve been watching your
travels…. You’ve done well. I don’t often say this to another man but I’m a bit envious! I hope you realize how much of a compliment that is. If you get back in town sometime, look me up.
I got a couple of beers I need to share.

Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image


Attached Image

 


--------------------
Proud CP Lifetime Member
(currently working hard in the procurement department)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
johnnybravo300
post Mar 3 2017, 08:10 PM
Post #11


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 563
Joined: 13-June 15
From: South of Gunnison in Gold Basin, Saguache County
Member No.: 120,659



Wow that's cool. Ill
keep an eye out for anything like that. I dont have any experience with these so all that info helps and I've been reading too. I'd like to have a few whole specimens for home if I can find any smaller.
An estwing gad bar is probably on my list now. My smaller chisels wouldn't even make a dent.


--------------------
Level 2 member -12/25/16
Referral code JL697
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
johnnybravo300
post Mar 3 2017, 11:24 PM
Post #12


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 563
Joined: 13-June 15
From: South of Gunnison in Gold Basin, Saguache County
Member No.: 120,659



Is it normal to find nothing but thin unappealing calcite in some and then shells or fossils or something awesome in another next to it? Or if one has shell fossils most of them will in that area?
Or do they just vary from one to the next and can be totally different?
How many would you dig up and break open before you moved on?

I would guess that they might be mostly fairly consistent in characteristics like that or am I wrong?
The cracks and outer appearances are the same on the turtle heads we uncovered so far so if that's the same, wouldn't the insides of the rest of the nodules look just like what I busted open? More than likely?

I can imagine a hurricane whipping the ocean up in a froth and these mud balls getting showered with shells from the wash cycle under the waves. Maybe that's how it happens? Or maybe they get physically rolled around in the shallower water waves and they pick the shells up then.
I wouldn't think just one there would have fossils like that without others being similar except with an ammonite fossil. That would be a one -of- a-kind for sure.
But you would think they would crack about the same when they dried out since they are mostly under the same conditions on a single beach, and the deposits that fill the cracks that form calcite would be mostly consistent within reason there too.

I've seen pictures of some nodules from Utah that had massive cracks plum full of yellow calcite and crystallized throughout. That's their consistency and if they have big fat cracks with thick visible calcite, that would be an indicator to me.
The cracks on these i found aren't very big and if that's the case I probably won't have good chances for big nice crystals or pockets inside. From the looks of the exterior and the calcite seams on the inside the cracks never opened very large.
That's my theory about it, but there are always chances for fossils if nothing else. It's very fascinating.


--------------------
Level 2 member -12/25/16
Referral code JL697
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
nate
post Mar 22 2017, 02:19 PM
Post #13


Shovel Buster!
***

Group: Members
Posts: 130
Joined: 24-October 15
From: Colorado Springs
Member No.: 121,949



QUOTE (MikeS @ Mar 2 2017, 10:14 PM) *
Good crystal cavities are more likely found in larger nodules. The calcite and other minerals tend to seep in through cracks so I have found that the ones showing cracks on the outside tend to have better chance of crystals. I recommend exploiting the cracks as much as possible. In most cases saws or finishing equipment are not very practical for these nodules. Calcite does not quite qualify as a "locatable mineral" and are unlikely to be very profitable unless your finding some nice Barite crystals with them then you may be on to something. Until then I say you have a cool spot to go find crystals for fun.

More pics and video of calcite finds can be found in the Colorado Calcite topic.





Typically true. However, the largest calcite i found was a 5" solid cube in la junta and it was in a nodule that was maybe 2 feet by 2 feet by 18 inches.....so you never know. it did have large cracks on the outside though which would be consistent. would love to check out your spot and crack some of those nodules for you johnny. is that up by gunnison? my wife and i are up there a couple times a month during the summer.


--------------------
Rock: Climb it. Dig it. Build your house upon it.

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
johnnybravo300
post Mar 22 2017, 03:13 PM
Post #14


Rock Bar!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 563
Joined: 13-June 15
From: South of Gunnison in Gold Basin, Saguache County
Member No.: 120,659



For sure let me know if your in the area and we'll dig some up. I'd like to bust a few open just to see what's in them and what else might be in that layer of earth.
Its all natl forest and they are an easy trail drive just a mile away from here.
We're about 20 miles west from Gunnison and a few more miles south from Tomichi Dome near Big Hill so hit me up sometime. I travel for work most of the summer but I'm usually home for the weekends.


--------------------
Level 2 member -12/25/16
Referral code JL697
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
nate
post Mar 23 2017, 03:38 PM
Post #15


Shovel Buster!
***

Group: Members
Posts: 130
Joined: 24-October 15
From: Colorado Springs
Member No.: 121,949



Excellent! My wife's parents work at a camp in lake City. If she doesn't care to join for some exploring, I'd be willing to bet she would love the time with her parents.

Also, on some private land at the camp I found some agate or pet wood around 10000 feet while shed hunting. Know very little about either, but hoping to keep learning and spend a couple days up there this year seeing if I can find some more and larger chunks. I'll try to find some pictures and post them.


--------------------
Rock: Climb it. Dig it. Build your house upon it.

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

2 Pages V   1 2 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic
2 User(s) are reading this topic (2 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 



Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 02:11 PM