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Discussion: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.Reported This is a featured thread

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icetrout
icetrout
Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 25 2009, 11:02 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 25 2009, 11:02 AM EDT
No such thing as Patuxent River Stone unless Lee & Ward think that common iron-stained quartz gravel is now recognized by the GIA as a legitimate gemstone.lol How did these two clowns pull this scam off on the citizens of Maryland. Do you find this valuable?    
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gamaliel114
gamaliel114
1. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 25 2009, 4:06 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 25 2009, 4:08 PM EDT
Is it pretty? Looks pretty to me. Really all that matters. Maybe going a little too far calling it a gemstone, but that is what the legislature calls it. As an "agate" I think it more than qualifies.

~Zeke Do you find this valuable?    
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
2. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 25 2009, 9:57 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 25 2009, 9:57 PM EDT
I like it. It looks like carnelian and carves well. It reminds me of Adna agate, The article I read says it is an agate,
http://www.mdstategemstone.citymaker.com/page/page/1406509.htm
Bill
 Do you find this valuable?    
icetrout
icetrout
3. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 25 2009, 11:29 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 25 2009, 11:29 PM EDT
"Is it pretty? Looks pretty to me. Really all that matters. Maybe going a little too far calling it a gemstone, but that is what the legislature calls it. As an "agate" I think it more than qualifies.

~Zeke"
It's no more an agate than than it is a chalcedony .It's a scam perpetrated by Cortland Lee& Fred Ward.As for the carpetbaggers that call themselves legislatures that's just another embarrassment to the citizens of Maryland./& just what qualifies you to call Iron-Stained Quartz Gravel an agate??? Do you find this valuable?    
gamaliel114
gamaliel114
4. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 25 2009, 11:55 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 25 2009, 11:55 PM EDT
OK microcrystalline quartz. What ever you want to call it. Maryland seems to not have an abundence of minerals to choose from, and this particular stone matches nicely with the Maryland's colors. Why not, it doesn't cost anything to have a "state gem". Seems like harmeless fun. What scam? I don't get the hostility. Do you have a better canidate?

~Zeke Do you find this valuable?    
gamaliel114
gamaliel114
5. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 26 2009, 12:00 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 26 2009, 12:00 AM EDT
From the pictures of the material it is obviously microcrystalline...are they fake? Do you find this valuable?    
icetrout
icetrout
6. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 26 2009, 12:17 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 26 2009, 12:17 AM EDT
"OK microcrystalline quartz. What ever you want to call it. Maryland seems to not have an abundence of minerals to choose from, and this particular stone matches nicely with the Maryland's colors. Why not, it doesn't cost anything to have a "state gem". Seems like harmeless fun. What scam? I don't get the hostility. Do you have a better canidate?

~Zeke"
Williamsite & it's found all alone the shoreline below Conowingo Dam in Hartford Co. Maryland../What Lee did is a farce,said He would cause controversy if his Patuxent River Agate wasn't named the state gemstone.There's a lot of hostility for lying to school children about this stone of Lee's.The colors brown & rust don't make up for a lie./If you knew one of your states symbols was a lie what would you do??? Do you find this valuable?    
icetrout
icetrout
7. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 26 2009, 12:25 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 26 2009, 12:25 AM EDT
The pics of agatized Dino Bone in Lees article in Lapidary Journal are not of Maryland Material.When called out on that Lee backtracked & called his material agatized wood than just an agate & when that didn't float he just called it a stone & called in political favors.Would you like me to post the whole story with footnotes you can easily check??? Do you find this valuable?    
gamaliel114
gamaliel114
8. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 26 2009, 12:28 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 26 2009, 12:28 AM EDT
I see there is an issue. Perhaps you could write an article detailing the controversy and make your case for Williamsite and we could include it with the state directory. That would be constructive. To me, from the pictures, Patuxent stone is still pretty, but being a jade guy I can apprieciate the Williamsite (serpentine).

~Zeke Do you find this valuable?    
gamaliel114
gamaliel114
9. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 26 2009, 12:32 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 26 2009, 12:32 AM EDT
"The pics of agatized Dino Bone in Lees article in Lapidary Journal are not of Maryland Material.When called out on that Lee backtracked & called his material agatized wood than just an agate & when that didn't float he just called it a stone & called in political favors.Would you like me to post the whole story with footnotes you can easily check???"
Yes! We are all about sharing information here. You have got me curious.

~Zeke Do you find this valuable?    
icetrout
icetrout
10. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 26 2009, 12:43 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 26 2009, 12:43 AM EDT
"I see there is an issue. Perhaps you could write an article detailing the controversy and make your case for Williamsite and we could include it with the state directory. That would be constructive. To me, from the pictures, Patuxent stone is still pretty, but being a jade guy I can appreciate the Williamsite (serpentine).

~Zeke"
Very cool!!!Took a look at your Jade pics,nice.You cut or carve??? I posted a pic of a Gel Williamsite Carving (apple-green orchard) :) / You must be looking at pics of PRA that Lee had cut in China & retouched by Fred Ward. I'll find a way to post a copy of a letter from June Culp Zeitner on the subject. She's the one who started the State Gemstones idea./Also how many tons of PRA would you like ??? lol Do you find this valuable?    
gamaliel114
gamaliel114
11. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 26 2009, 12:54 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 26 2009, 12:54 AM EDT
Not cutting or carving yet. I just secured funding for lapidary equipment, but it won't be until early next year. It sounds like I would have to see a sample of the stuff myself rather than the pictures. I have to say that Williamsite looks better than my jade! How hard is it?

~Zeke Do you find this valuable?    
icetrout
icetrout
12. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 26 2009, 12:55 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 26 2009, 12:55 AM EDT
I'd love to see this investigated by someone that's not associated with Lee or Ward. / Shades of Pittdown Man.This just isn't right,if Maryland 's gem was to be common quartz gravel I could accept that.But to make up a B.S. story like Lee did & get Fred Ward to swear to it,there's just not any science to it at all. Do you find this valuable?    
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
aubreyreynolds9@gmai
13. RE: Marylands State Gemstone Scam.
Sep 26 2009, 8:10 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 26 2009, 8:10 AM EDT
"I'd love to see this investigated by someone that's not associated with Lee or Ward. / Shades of Pittdown Man.This just isn't right,if Maryland 's gem was to be common quartz gravel I could accept that.But to make up a B.S. story like Lee did & get Fred Ward to swear to it,there's just not any science to it at all."
What was their motive for the scam? What was in it for THem?
Bill Do you find this valuable?