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dinontom
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Union Road Agates - Found a bunch in the back yard
Dec 27th, 2013 at 11:13pm
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So, I put a load of rocks in my new tumbler (my wife loves me enough to support my habit, and she got me a tumbler for Christmas) and while those are getting pretty, I decided to go find some more stuff.  Rather than make some far off journey, I figure I live right in the hot spot where Union Road agates were found back in the 60s, so why not stay around the house and look for some.  Well that seems to have paid off.

The first photo is of the first one I found.  It was already broken, and I just happened to lay my eyes on it when I was sitting down to take a little break.  It was unmistakable and I knew then that the illusive Union Road agates are still very findable.

The next is one that I suspected to be something worthwhile and I was trying to chip it out of some softer material when I accidently hit it. 

My son found the one that is still intact, but had a little window for us to look inside.

Hopefully, I will have my saw tomorrow and if so, I will be cutting some agates and posting more pics.

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas!

Tom
  
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Re: Union Road Agates - Found a bunch in the back yard
Reply #1 - Dec 28th, 2013 at 9:45pm
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Adding some photos after cutting:
  

agatized_coral.jpg ( 349 KB | 162 Downloads )
agatized_coral.jpg
Union_Road_Agate_-_cut.jpg ( 343 KB | 159 Downloads )
Union_Road_Agate_-_cut.jpg
Union_Road_Agate_2_-_Cut.jpg ( 271 KB | 146 Downloads )
Union_Road_Agate_2_-_Cut.jpg
Union_Road_Agate_Geode_-_Cut.jpg ( 229 KB | 150 Downloads )
Union_Road_Agate_Geode_-_Cut.jpg
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Re: Union Road Agates - Found a bunch in the back yard
Reply #2 - Dec 28th, 2013 at 11:25pm
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You're finding these in your bckyard?  Man, i'd love to be able to find sweet rocks in my yard.
  
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Re: Union Road Agates - Found a bunch in the back yard
Reply #3 - Dec 29th, 2013 at 12:05am
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Yep Tom, ain't nothing better than what you can find in your own backyard! Smiley

Those are nice! I have an agate-nut friend who gets out to Missouri
once in a while to hunt for rocks and I believe I've heard him talk about those type
and how hard they are to find anymore.
I think those are probably something you would want to collect
as many as you can of. I think they are pretty valuable to agate collectors
and would definitely be good trading material.
I've got company in town for the next few days but will try and
see what else I can find out about them.
Can't answer your question about the "birdsnest" material
but look forward to hearing/finding an answer.
Real nice find and thanks for sharing!

Joe
  
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Re: Union Road Agates - Found a bunch in the back yard
Reply #4 - Dec 29th, 2013 at 9:10am
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I guess it is not quite fair to call it my back yard.  It is in the neighborhood, a short walk from my house. 

I have found some nodules in my own yard, but they proved to be very uninteresting concretions with no color or redeeming quality.

I will continue to look around here and will certainly be picking up all that I find!  I would be more than happy to trade what I find for some interesting NC stuff that I could give to my sister in Fuquay.  Or even just for a tip on/access to a place where she could go find some cool stuff for herself.  I know she would enjoy that!
  
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Re: Union Road Agates - Found a bunch in the back yard
Reply #5 - Dec 29th, 2013 at 10:52am
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Well I didn't think it was actually "in" your backyard, Tom. Smiley
Within a few miles or even same county qualifies for me.

You have probably already checked these sites but here are a couple links for those
that would like to read more;
http://copperagates.com/home/agate_union_road

http://www.thies-times.com/billsrockhill/homepage.html
  
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Re: Union Road Agates - Found a bunch in the back yard
Reply #6 - Dec 29th, 2013 at 9:29pm
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Yes, I have frequented those sites.  I know where to look now, and believe I have scoped out some new territory as well.  I am not sure if people still look for these or if they have just given up, but if they are still looking, they are not doing it very well.  Not being critical, just stating the obvious - if I can find them, the experienced hunter must be blind.

attached are a few more photos from my recent local finds.  I think I am becoming an agate nut, or they have just been the easiest to find.
  
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Re: Union Road Agates - Found a bunch in the back yard
Reply #7 - Dec 30th, 2013 at 8:18am
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Ooh looks likes you have amethyst there in the 4th and 5th pictures of your last post.  Well done!
  

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Re: Union Road Agates - Found a bunch in the back yard
Reply #8 - Dec 16th, 2014 at 4:51pm
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dinontom, this is great that you have found Union Road Agates, especially after hearing they were all found in the 60's and no longer available.
I live in the metro St Louis area. Id like to get out there and look around myself. I know the area well and where the road cuts were.
  
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