Cutting and cabbing Ellensburg Blue Agates, plus testing agate hardness

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  • Опубліковано 20 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 48

  • @TheKingsSon2403
    @TheKingsSon2403 Місяць тому +1

    Going to cut and polish my first Ellensburg piece today. A bit nervous but feeling better after watching your video. Glad I found you.

  • @demottjeff
    @demottjeff 2 роки тому +1

    I'm the guy that talked to you about ellensburg blue at the rock shop place

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  2 роки тому

      Hi Jeff, thanks for your interest! And of course thanks for watching. I’ll run in to you again, I’m sure.

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS 5 місяців тому

    watching once again

  • @mattrichards1492
    @mattrichards1492 3 роки тому +1

    Cool video Chris! I like your little trim saw.

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  3 роки тому

      Thanks Matt! And that’s my favorite trim saw. I had to do a little bit of work to get it going, but I really like it! Probably 50 years old!

  • @gemcollector8508
    @gemcollector8508 2 роки тому +2

    Hey, was watching your video, and I'm going to first creek Saturday if you wanna come along with me! I have am excellent spot up there.

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  2 роки тому +1

      Hi Gem Collector! Thanks for the invite, but neither of us can make it on Saturday…☹️. I hope you do well, that is a favorite area! Let us know if you find some nice stuff!

  • @RESpexrp
    @RESpexrp 2 роки тому +1

    I bet i have a few that test in the 8. I need to get the tools to do it.
    I can always tell the real hard ones when i pick em up, they are much less nicked up and more waxy looking.

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  2 роки тому

      We’d love to test what you have! Are you in the Ellensburg area?

    • @RESpexrp
      @RESpexrp 2 роки тому

      @@chrisandrewoutside1560 yes. Crystal Matrix material is part of the original database started at CWU. We are on the fan and produce some of the gemmiest material out there. My wife has a facebook for it also.

  • @thomascovenant665
    @thomascovenant665 3 роки тому

    Fantastic vid! Thats a healthy collection of rough E blue.

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks for the comment! Yeah, we’ve been especially fortunate and blessed with the Ellensburg Blues! We’re going to have a vid in the near future, showcasing many beautiful rough specimens.

  • @CurrentlyRockhounding
    @CurrentlyRockhounding 3 роки тому +1

    I'm not sure how this video flew under my radar, sorry for being late to the party. I put the notification bell on so that doesn't happen again.
    Why do you think there's more misinformation about Ellensburg Blue agate than any other rock?
    10:00 I like that saw, I like that your table is in line with the center of the shaft which means you can make some really square cuts, is that just a 1750rpm motor?
    Have you seen any XRF or XRD profiles of Ellensburg Blue agate?

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  3 роки тому

      I'm glad you posted this question. I needed to send you an email anyways.
      Part of the confusion surrounding Ellensburg Blues is that historically all blue agates found in the Ellensburg area were considered Ellensburg blues. This, combined with guesses based on other wrong information, and the current value of the Ellensburg Blue, has caused an amazing level of near desperation amongst rockhounders trying to justify their finds as actual Blues.
      That little saw is a Coffey's Tiny Trim. I think the motor is 1500 or actually smaller, but it doesn't say. It's an amazing little trim saw, and we use it more than any of our others! Rio Grande has one very similar called the Li'l Trimmer Saw.
      I've seen XRF profiles on the Ellensburg Blues, specifically with comparison to African Blue lace. Very similar composition, except for elevated levels of zirconium in the Ellensburg Blues.

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS Рік тому

    Now I will Comment!!! We LOVES YOU ALL VIDEOS!!! We were BLESSED by THE MAN / THE MYTH / THE LEGEND!!! MANY BLESSINGS UPON THE TWO OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!! ARE YOU A CHAMORRO and are you From GUAM, Tinianm, Saipan. Rota, ___???

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  Рік тому +1

      Hawai’ian and Filipino!

    • @ROCKINWHEELERS
      @ROCKINWHEELERS Рік тому

      We From Guam, Chamorro. Have you ever been to a Chamorro Fiesta and or Fandango?@@chrisandrewoutside1560I just knew you had to have some Islander in you.

  • @sarawelch9772
    @sarawelch9772 Рік тому

    I have lots that were passed down to me I have never done anything with just gave them away but It would b cool to make something out of them. They are so beautiful.

    • @sarawelch9772
      @sarawelch9772 Рік тому

      I have pics which is not all of them. Doug and Carol Anderson made the find in 1979

  • @michaelvasileiadis5064
    @michaelvasileiadis5064 10 місяців тому +1

    Can you cut the blue part with the lapidary trim saw and then polish it with a vibratory tumbler or you need a cabbing machine in order to polish it without taking the blue off?

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  10 місяців тому +1

      You can cut and tumble, but tumbling will remove the blue too, as well as other parts. My opinion is to make sure you have it cut as close to the shape you want, and then closely monitor the coarse grit tumbling so it doesn’t remove too much agate, before moving on to the finer grits to polish.

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS 5 місяців тому

    I LIKE/LOVE THE LACE ON AGATES- TO ME IT JUST GIVES THE STONE/STONES MORE POP-= FOR ME- I LOVES ALL INCLUSIONS ON A STONE, IT IS ITS OWN MAGICAL FINGERPRINT...

  • @ianoeder5411
    @ianoeder5411 2 роки тому

    If I were you I would take off the hoodie with the draw strings, the long drawstrings. Because, I don't think that is too safe if you are working around that kind of equipment. I like the lapidary stuff too, I just think with how those arbors and wheels spin, at such a high rpm, you could get tangled up and hurt working around that kind of equipment.

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  2 роки тому

      Good advice. When I work stones on the cab machine, I wear an apron and a respirator, but we didn’t video that.

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS Рік тому

    This be about the 4th time we've seen this video...

  • @garymcmullin2292
    @garymcmullin2292 2 роки тому +1

    I guess it comes down to matters of personal taste but I am one of the apparent few that just doesn't get that revved up about the Eburg blues. Sure they are pretty, when well done, though I have seen some awfully mediocre stones where you had to rely on imagination to see the blue. It is a classic case of rarity and a successful marketing approach that has established this stone. I marvel at the buying taste of the public....there are some blues, in my opinion that rival Eburg's beauty such as Holley Blue, Malawai blue chalcedony, Namibia Blue Lace, an unnamed source of chalcedony over along Hwy12 on the west side of the state, Larimar (blue pectolite), B.C. Ocean Rock ( the solid blue areas) and Owyhee Blue Opal yet those stones do not draw the same commercial attention as sought after jewelry items, at least not to the extent of Eburg blues. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and for me I much rather spend time sourcing and working these alternatives to Eburg, because they are affordable, good quality gemstones that can be readily sourced.

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  2 роки тому +1

      Hi Gary, thanks for your thoughts! It is absolutely all about personal taste. I love Ellensburg Blues and all their various blue shades. But, in my opinion, if it’s gray it’s not a blue. Many people have never seen an actual Ellensburg Blue because of accidental or intentional fraud. Too many jewelers and online accounts sell Teanaway gray agates as blue. And because of the trick of shade, too many people believe their gray agates are blue, too.
      Best of luck to you! I hope you find all the rocks you want!!! Take care.

    • @garymcmullin2292
      @garymcmullin2292 2 роки тому +1

      @@chrisandrewoutside1560 thanks, got all the rocks one person is allowed in life, in 73 years I have amassed a collection of prominence. Ended up here in central Washington and never go out anymore.

  • @mrfxm55
    @mrfxm55 3 роки тому +1

    That blue is interesting but it's not Gem Silica? It's a light blue not that aquamarine blue. It's like a light Holley Blue then maybe. I've been a Lapidary 40 years never seen that blue agate as you named it.

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  3 роки тому

      Thanks for your question. Ellensburg Blue Agates are found in the Central area of Washington state, and were formed in rhyolite fractures, and have an elevated level of zirconium content when compared to blue agates from other locations, including Holley blue. There is information available online, although much of it is slightly outdated now.

  • @demottjeff
    @demottjeff 2 роки тому

    God.... another ellensburg blue video??? 😆 LoL

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS 5 місяців тому

    NOW 6TH TIME-IKNOW IKNOW- 3 C'S CAN YOU CAN YOU CAN YOU!!! MY 3 C'S YOUNG SIR!!!

  • @MrIslandermitch
    @MrIslandermitch 3 роки тому

    Do you live in Ellensburg

  • @RagnarRocks
    @RagnarRocks 3 роки тому +3

    'Ellensburg Blue' is definitely the most overrated, over hyped enigma in the rockhounding world that I've seen to date. Give me the forts, bands and crystal pockets everyday!

    • @chrisandrewoutside1560
      @chrisandrewoutside1560  3 роки тому +4

      Hahaha, yeah they are pretty hyped. But I’ve had a fascination with them for over 30 years, and I love em! The interesting thing, is that Ellensburg Blues have the bands and forts and crystal pockets, like other agates. It’s just a matter of finding these beautiful specimens. We’re gonna have a vid in the future showcasing many different specimens. Beautiful, regardless of hype!

    • @mattrichards1492
      @mattrichards1492 3 роки тому +1

      Totally Disagree. Geologically speaking, they have a fascinating and mysterious history.

    • @RESpexrp
      @RESpexrp 2 роки тому +2

      Hype what? True blue commands the price of GOLD on weight basis. Nothing like picking up a $500 piece of raw. No other rock hunting has those returns. Ofcourse you have to own acreage or have access.

    • @RagnarRocks
      @RagnarRocks 2 роки тому

      @@RESpexrp Understandable. I don't find rocks for money so the price doesn't matter much to me.

    • @RESpexrp
      @RESpexrp 2 роки тому +2

      @@RagnarRocks it became necessary for me to attend trade shows and barter faires to lessen the size of the lode at home. After finding bucket fulls of crystals in Montana and Hansen Creek years ago it just made sense to try and get em out to the public at a reasonable rate. All ive ever made was my gas money back until we bought a large piece of land in Eburg. Now i find cuttable agates and petrified wood, polishers, and blues all on our own land. Selling them will only help pay for the land so that i can find more.

  • @ROCKINWHEELERS
    @ROCKINWHEELERS 4 місяці тому

    AND AGAIN.

  • @ahmadtheIED
    @ahmadtheIED 2 роки тому

    Hey, this stone for sale?