What does a Thunderbird egg look like?

Though thundereggs appear lke rocks, they can be easily identified by the abnormally round and bumpy brown-gray surface. Usually, thundereggs lie relatively close to the Earth's surface, embedded in the clay of the tuff, where they were formed.

What is a Thunderbird egg?

Thunder eggs are spherical objects which form in some types of silica-rich volcanic rocks (e.g. rhyolites). As the volcanic lava cooled, trapped steam and other gases formed an expanding bubble.

How can you tell the difference between a geode and a thunder egg?

The main difference between geode and thunderegg is that geode is composed of crystals with a hollow inside, while thunderegg is solid. Thunderegg has defined rock and mineral composition. Thundereggs are chalcedony consolidation in rhyolites rocks, while geodes can contain various types of crystals.

Are thunder eggs real?

Thundereggs are found in flows of rhyolite lava. They form in the lava from the action of water percolating through the porous rock carrying silica in solution. The deposits lined and filled the cavity, first with a darker matrix material, then an inner core of agate or chalcedony.

How do you identify thundereggs?

Though thundereggs appear lke rocks, they can be easily identified by the abnormally round and bumpy brown-gray surface. Usually, thundereggs lie relatively close to the Earth's surface, embedded in the clay of the tuff, where they were formed.

Thunder Eggs

How do you open thundereggs?

Thundereggs are very dependent on gravity, and guessing what is on the inside is made much easier by knowing the orientation that they have formed in. So, when you pick the eggs out of the host rock, the best practice is to put an “x” on the horizontal position of the egg, and a “-“ on the vertical position.

How old is a thunder egg?

“Thunder eggs are gas bubbles that formed in a rhyolite formation between thirty and forty million years ago,” noted Casey.

How can you tell if a rock is a geode?

Where do you find geodes at?

Geodes are found throughout the world, but the most concentrated areas are located in the deserts. Volcanic ash beds, or regions containing limestone, are common geode locations. There are many easily accessible geode collecting sites in the western United States, including in California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.

How big can thunder eggs get?

Thundereggs are agate-filled nodules found in various parts of the Western United States. They range in size from 1/4 inch to as large as 5 feet in diameter. Generally, they are about the size of oranges.

What are thunder eggs used for?

Thunder Egg is used in the spool of the Sewing Machine to create a Shirt. It can be used in dyeing, serving as a purple dye at the dye pots, located in Emily's and Haley's house, 2 Willow Lane.

What is the difference between a geode and an agate?

In a lot of ways, agates have inclusions, while geodes are inclusions in the host rock. It's an important distinction to make. But the biggest difference is the fact that geodes are a specific form of mineral, while agates are a specific type of mineral. Any comparison between them should take that into account.

Are thunder eggs worth anything?

Thunder eggs may not be precious stones, but they are worth millions to generations of kids - ABC News.

Why are they called thunder eggs?

According to legend, thundereggs were named by the Native Americans of central Oregon, who are said to have believed that these strange, agate-filled stones were thrown by fighting "thunder spirits" who dwelt on Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood (two of several snow-capped peaks high in the Cascade Range).

Are geodes worth money?

Geodes are highly valued for their content and appearance. The most valuable geodes are those that contain perfectly formed flawless crystals of amethyst, celestine, calcite, or other rare minerals. Geodes are worth from $2-5 for common specimens and up to several thousand for exceptional several meters.

What do gemstones look like in the rough?

A Gemstone's Surface Luster

A gemstone's luster refers to the stone's surface when it reflects light. Rough gemstones can appear dull or greasy, like butter but not as shiny as glass. They can also be shiny and glasslike, metallic or silky with no reflection.

What do geodes look like from the outside?

Look for rocks that have a unique, bumpy texture on the exterior. Geodes are rarely perfectly smooth. The texture of a geode's exterior may have a cauliflower-like appearance. Inspect the surface for any signs of minerals inside.

Where can I find thundereggs in Utah?

When it comes to finding wonderstones in Utah, your best bet is at the Vernon Hills, in Tooele County, or at the Wonderstone Quarry. Surprisingly, one of the best places to find thundereggs in Utah is at the Dugway Geode Beds. Meteorites were found in Utah on a couple of occasions. However, they are quite rare.

What are rock eggs?

Egg rocks are smooth, naturally round stones approximately a 3/4" to 2 1/2" in size. Not only will these rocks add an attractive touch to your outdoor space, but they are also good in controlling erosion.

Where can I find thundereggs in Arizona?

Just to the northeast of Phoenix, the Cave Creek area offers some of the best rockhounding you can find in a small area in Arizona (and that's saying something). There is a great mix of rocks and minerals to find here, including agate, jasper, quartz, precious metals, and even thundereggs.

What do you cut thundereggs with?

Thundereggs 1” or under can be cut with diamond cut-off wheels in a Dremel or flex-shaft but the cut will be rough. What is this? Use the best tools possible. You can create a great specimen with just a wide tile saw blade and sandpaper, but you'll also spend several hours longer than necessary.

Can you saw open a geode?

If your geode is small, it may not be safe to attempt to cut it open with a power saw, so use good judgment. An iron pipe cutter is a tool that can be used for opening geodes, but it is a fairly specialized piece of equipment that can be quite expensive.

What is in a geode rock?

Most geodes contain clear quartz crystals, while others have purple amethyst crystals. Still others can have agate, chalcedony, or jasper banding or crystals such as calcite, dolomite, celestite, etc. There is no easy way of telling what the inside of a geode holds until it is cut open or broken apart.