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| FAIRBURN AGATE, 2012. WIDTH IS ~5 CM. |
I get sort of euphoric when stumbling upon an agate
in the field (here defining an agate as included or banded chalcedony)! I don’t really prioritize agates in my
collection; however, I do have several different specimens representing a
variety of “types”. Of course, my favorites
are the Fairburns, the official state gemstone of South Dakota. Perhaps my fondness is due to a Fairburn ending
up as the first “really good” agate that I collected---way back in the 1960’s. Perhaps it is due to my allegiance to the
state of South Dakota where I once picked up a university degree. Perhaps it is because they are beautiful
specimens and quite colorful! Whatever
the case, I like Fairburns (and Teepee Canyons; see my previous blogs on August
18 and June 17, 2012). Both postings
delve into great detail about collecting sites so will not be repeated here.
At any rate, I was back on the Fairburn beds in
summer 2012 and for the second year in a row was successful! Finding a Fairburn of any sort is becoming a
nice accomplishment these days so I am quite pleased with my specimen. It is not the nicest in the state, nor would
it make the agate collecting books. But,
it is mine and that makes me happy!
mike
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