Collecting value from my property, rock hunting and hand polishing stone.

Since i was a kid, I have always loved collecting rocks. I've learned to identify some over the years, and when i moved to the Ozarks, I was really excited to find what i had around me. Come to find out, there is a whole bunch around here!

One of the most common stones are these cauliflower geodes. When cleaned, they have a brilliant white sparkle on their surface.

Mozarkite, or Missouri Agate, is the state rock of Missouri. It varies in shades of pink and orange, all the way to deep reds, purples, and black.

Lace agate is another common stone that varies in color, but has marble like veins through it. This variety i found has lots of different tones of natural quartz colors, alot of which are clear, white, and almost a marble appearance.

Using a small belt sander and a whetstone, I have been able to start polishing the faces of these rocks in preparation for jewelry. This week i plan to get a dremel and polishing wax to help speed up the process. Polishing stone, like blowing glass, takes time and patience, rushing it only leads to failure. Its an art form i am learning speaks to me deeply. During my time away from the internet, I learned that I really have just the moment that is in front of me, and i need to be keenly aware of that profound truth. Stones and glass have been giving me those lessons, and helping me reawaken the artist in me that i have kept from creating in a long while. Im glad i can find these right out my back door, and hope to come across some really nice crystals one day. Hope you are all well, thanks for stopping by!

~Doug~