Agates of the Oregon Coast: clam belly

Friday, April 16, 2010

John's Beachcombing Trophies Found at Newport

John one of our agate collectors from Stayton comes out a couple of times a year for beach combing here at coast and as you can see he had a great visit. These are just a few of his recent trophies he found this week here at Newport.

Editors Notes: Image lower right appears to possibly be a "Clam Belly Agate" (agatized fossil) the one above it is an extra fancy carnelian with a beautiful lacy coating. Sorry about the glare of the light, we wanted to share with you the beautiful red-orange hue.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Complete Agatized Clam

The translucent clam (clam belly) to the left has to be one of the largest completely agatized specimens we have seen in quite awhile. It just had a small area of the outer shell remaining plus the agate was amazingly clear and pretty well defined. This just goes to show you how the agates were formed here on the Oregon Coast some 15 - 20 million years ago. Agate filled anything hollow and took on the shape of that mold.

This beauty was found yesterday here in Newport by Bruce a rockhound from Reedsport, OR sharing a couple of days at the beach with his lovely and talented wife Kathy. Nice find Bruce, another great beachcombing find on the Oregon Coast!

Editors Note: Sorry the photo came out so fuzzy, the clam to the right is a fossil used for comparison.

AGATES OF THE OREGON COAST

Third edition by K. T. Myers and consulting gemologist Richard Petrovic - This is the new complete guide of agates shown in both their natural condition and in all of their polished glory. New to this book are the stunning colors and varieties of agate including the enhydro (water agates), plus a special section of agatized fossils, petrified wood, and fossils to be found amidst the cobbles along the Oregon Coast beaches. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this guide tells it ALL! This comprehensive, easy-to-use, full-color, illustrated guide of the what, where, when, and how to collecting agate, jasper, fossils, and petrified wood commonly found along the Pacific Coastline is ideal for the novice or experienced collector of all ages and abilities. NOW Available!