Fire Agate

Agate, probably the most common and valuable gemstone, is a variety of silica formed by volcanic activity. A multitude of shapes and colors are caused by mineral impurities in the silica. It is these impurities which make the fire agate distinctive. fire agate is considered a gemstone because of the play of the colors beneath its surface that is formed much as a pearl is formed in an oyster. Volcanic water seeps into cracks and crevices below the earth's surface. The impact of the water drops separate some minerals from the water; the mineral stays and the agate grows. Fire agates are said to offer all the fiery color of gem opals, are less costly, are superior in hardness, and will not fade.

Rockhounding

Rockhounding is the collection of reasonable amounts of mineral specimens, rocks, semi-precious gems, petrified wood and invertebrate fossils. Invertebrate fossils are the remains of animals that didn't have bones such as shellfish, corals, trilobites and crinoids. The material collected must not be sold or bartered. THe US has many localities and varieties of collecting material. Not all varieties are found on public lands. It is a good idea to check land ownership when planning a rockhounding trip. In most instances, public lands are open to rockhounding although no collecting in allowed in National Monuments.

Chalcedony

Chalcedony is a catch all term that includes many well known varieties of cryptocrystalline quartz gemstones. They are found in all 50 States, in many colors and color combinations, and in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Chalcedony includes carnelian, sard, plasma, prase, bloodstone, onyx, sardonyx, chrysoprase, thundereggs, agate, flint, chert, jasper, petrified wood, and petrified dinosaur bone just to name a few of the better known varieties.

More about Chalcedony

Posters and Prints

Animals

Armadillos Baby Animals Bats Bears Big Cats Birds Bison / Buffalo Camels Caribou Cats Cows / Bulls Deer / Elk Dinosaurs

Dogs Donkeys Elephants Fish Foxes Frogs / Toads Gazelle / Antelope Giraffes Horses Insects Monkeys Moose Pigs

Porcupines / Badgers Rabbits Raccoons Reptiles Rhinos / Hippos Rodents Sea Life Sheep / Goats Squirrels Various Animals Wolves / Coyotes Zebras