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Discussion: Advice on Cutting T-Eggs
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mudd1973 |
Advice on Cutting T-Eggs
Aug 20 2008, 4:02 PM EDT
A friend just returned from her vacation in Oregon and brought back a bunch of T-eggs from Richardson's Ranch. Her family got there really late in the day and only had a short time to dig. They started at one hole but were discouraged by all the fragments of geodes so left and went to the "blue pit' (? I've never been up there - so I'm not sure about the terminology).It was close to closing time - so they didn't get anything cut or opened before they left. I've volunteered to take my friend to my club shop to use the diamond saws - if this is the best way to open a T-egg. Any advice on the proper way to cut or crack open an Oregon T-egg and how to determine (or guess) the best orientation? ellen Do you find this valuable?
Keyword tags:
Oregon T-egg
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RockPuppy |
1. RE: Advice on Cutting T-Eggs
Aug 20 2008, 5:28 PM EDT
The most common way is to cut the egg from cap to cap. When an egg is cleaned up you should be able to see several pressure ridge lines all around it. Notice the 2 'circles' at opposite ends of the egg, these would be the caps. They should be connected by additional ridge lines often forming what appears to be squares and even sometimes triangles around the outside. Now just line it up and cut from the center of one cap to the center of the other cap to create 2 equal halves.Then get creative. Try cutting them at a diagonal, some of my favorite eggs were cut this way. Also to get a different perspective cut one into a cube or some other geometric shape. It's totally amazing to see what's inside....and always a surprise. Have fun and be sure to take turns and let your friend get in there and give it a try Happy Rockin' Livy PS...I would concider it normal to find yourself turning an egg over, over and over again while trying to get a feel for it 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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mudd1973 |
2. RE: Advice on Cutting T-Eggs
Aug 21 2008, 3:57 PM EDT
Thanks for the great advice Livy.Your word-picture was so clear that it reminded me of something I had seen online several years ago. Which sent me on a google-hunt. I found the "How to Determine Proper Orientation for Successful Cutting of Lithophysae" at http://www.zianet.com/GEODEKID/howtocut.htm The diagram on his tutorial looks just like your word description. The Geodekid is an amazing resource. When I first started rock hounding, he answered an online question about Berkeley Blue Geodes with exact directions of where in the hills to look. Being a newbie, I made the mistake of going on a blistering hot day, all by myself and almost fell down the scenic hillside overlooking UC Berkeley. I never did really find much of anything, except 2 small layered grey and white agate nodules that I found while sliding down the hill on my butt. Then I had to hitch hike back up the mountain to my car. He also has a great article about the formation of t-eggs - http://www.ziamet.com/geodekid/thndregg.htm Now I can hardly wait for my co-worker to find the time to come to the rock shop and cut her treasures open. ellen Do you find this valuable? |
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debaker |
3. RE: Advice on Cutting T-Eggs
Aug 21 2008, 4:31 PM EDT
For most eggs, the key is cutting them vertically. If they have a very thin lens of agate, some people cut them horizontally. Not all eggs have the visible veins mentioned, so sometimes it's a bit of a challenge. Some people mark the top, as they dig them, so you know which way is up later. Basically, it's what works for you, lol. The surprise inside is the best part.
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