One of our VGMS members has created a free database of quartz family rocks frequently collected by rockhounds and used by lapidaries. His intention is to provide a comprehensive tool for identification of unknown material found at sales or somewhere removed from the source location, as well as to create a visual guide of material found in regions throughout the United States.
Index Editor, Lowell Foster
Assistant Editor, Mel Hixson
The 2012 American Agate-Jasper Index; A Quartz Gem Materials Guide:
Volume 1: Southwest
Volume 2: Northwest
Volume 3: California
Volume 4: Northern States
Volume 5: Southern States [pending]
Volume 6: Glossary and Index [pending]
Artists of Agate Portfolios
There are so many wonderful artisans and photographers who offered their work to the Index. Unfortunately these people shared many more photos than I could use. Producing a portfolio of their work for free downloading seemed to be a way of showcasing more of their incredible shots without the limitations of the database’s goal. It also permitted the publication of images of international material that falls outside the Database’s boundaries. These portfolios are produced with the permission and aid of the featured artist. They hold all rights to the photos contained within their respective portfolios.
–Lowell Foster
2011 Portfolio – Bob Rush Brazilians
2011 Portfolio – Dan Heuer Lapidary Alphabet
2011 Portfolio – Dan Heuer Rare Earths
2011 Portfolio – Steve Haynes Lakers
A Note of Explanation from the editor:
“We are aware many of the illustrated materials are not actually agate or jasper, but because lapidaries are accustomed to encountering materials identified by common or trade names rather than an actual scientific identification, for the purposes of this index, all quartz lapidary materials will be included and identified by commonly used names when available.”
–Lowell Foster
California Federation of Mineralogical Societies
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies