My Archaeological Find: Calling all rock geeks!

naturelover · #**101** 12/17/07, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthdog

http://www.mindat.org/mesg-55-48054.html

Hmm, I looked at the link you posted but don't see any discussion there about my obsidian. I see Alan Plante is still active on the board, nice to see that, haven't talked with him for a long time. Maybe I'll send Alan a little piece of this obsidian for him to look at.

Just expressing my general opinion here, but I'm kind of glad if there is no documentation supporting finds of light green obsidian in the far north. Perhaps if more people knew about the ametrine and green obsidian and rhyolite flows there then the location might get over-run with mineral hunters.

Danaus, I agree with you, when collection is freely permitted then all too often the collectors end up trashing the locations and leave it looking an ugly place. Better to leave it be as a treasured secret or else a protected location.

ETA - GoddessKristie - (if you're still reading this topic) - Maybe you could submit several pictures of your find to Alan Plante. He is a good person and one of the leading mineralogists in the country, his knowledge is unsurpassed in my opinion.

Edited again - I've just read on that link that Alan Plante died last September. I knew he'd been ill for the past 4 years but hadn't heard that he has passed on. I'm very sad to read that - the rock-hounding community has lost a great man.

[strongsad

earthdog · #**102** 12/17/07, 10:28 PM

I talked to a couple people that live up there, in Terrace, British Columbia to be exact. One is a geologist. This is what they say about your pictures of the light green, transparent Obsidian.

Quote:

From what I know, and according to what my friends who are geologists, miners, assayers, etc. - Not a chance in hades that that is green lava glass or that it originated in or near the Nass valley or the T'seax flows.

I'd refer folks interested in the geology of the cordilleran range, our accreted terraines, etc. to the gov't of bc sites and to a book - "Geology of the Norhtwest Mainland" by Allen Gottesfeld, published by the Kitimat Centennial Museum Association (1985) ISBN 0-9691390-1-2 Another authority on the area, is Eileen Van der Flier-Keller (in an unrelated tangent - check out her little laminated guide, "A field guide to the identification of Pebbles" ISBN-10: 1-55017-395-2 - it is the COOLEST rock ID guide I have ever found and it's LAMINATED, fold-out brochure. TOO FREAKING COOL.

Could be a foreign implant. Nope, there is absolutely no manufacturing, etc. anywhere near the T'seax flow. She's correct in that. Could be melted glass of some odd origin. The only thing it has in relation to our region is that it is the colour of some of the water due to glacial clays.

If it ever proves to originate in the area, well, Elvis will be getting interviewed on Oprah.

If that chunk of what you call Obsidian was found in nature and there was anymore than the one 20# chunk you say you broke. Someone would have written about it.

naturelover · #**103** 12/17/07, 11:01 PM

Thanks for that information you got from your friend. I'm from Terrace and am acquainted with several geologists and mineral collectors in Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert. Would you care to pm me the names of your geologist friends you spoke to in Terrace, perhaps I know them too? If I know them myself I might discuss the location of the green obsidian with them. Seems like I may know something they don't know about the area. If you don't feel comfortable about doing that, that's okay, I understand you'd want to protect their privacy.

GoddessKristie · #**104** 12/18/07, 01:42 PM

Hi everyone! I have been watching the thread, but haven't been contributing because it did take a turn away from what I have. I have no news about my find, but will be holding on to it and enjoying it's beauty. There are some mineral shows that come to Indianapolis, and I might take it in when one comes around to get some more opinions. Regardless of what it is I am really enjoying it! It's been so interesting and a real conversation piece.
I don't mind the hijack at all! I'm glad this thread as become so interesting and would love to see it continue as a place for people to post their finds in the future.
I'll update when I know more!