Rock hunting for ellensburg blue agates in kittitas county. Before all of the common semiprecious proprietary names were changed to colored stones, ellensburg blue was considered the only precious agate. The ellensburg blue the gemstone series book 2 kindle. Cabbing rough ellensburg blue agate 19 carat j3323.
Andrew has a bachelors degree in history from the university of washington and a masters degree in history. Elusive ellensburg blue agates still being found in the. This crystal is a throat chakra stone, helping you with your communication skills and to speak your truth. Find great deals on ebay for ellensburg blue and ellensburg blue agate.
May 10, 2012 the ellensburg blue agate is the third rarest stone in the world. Wed love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article. Ellensburg blue agate helps you to learn much about yourself and your circumstances which can bring you joy with who you really are. As the name implies, this valuable gem is found only in the area n. First discovered by the kittitas indians who inhabited the area, and in. Try your luck at the rock n tomahawk ranch 2590 upper green canyon rd. Links to info on druzy blue agate and turtleback and photos of rough and cut stones. The owners here will give you a brief orientation about finding ellensburg blue and then set you loose on their 160acre spread to see what you can find. The source of the agate does not usually affect the price with one or two exceptions. Rocks and gems rocks and minerals rock hunting agates places of interest ghost towns wine country pacific northwest geology. It was carried to this location and deposited by a glassier making the true deposit a mystery. Marvin kelley obituary ellensburg, wa daily record. Ellensburg blue agate is only found in washington state on the west coast of america where a combination of 43 different minerals have created a special blue agate which can claim very high prices for a well cut and polished gemstone.
The ellensburg blue agates in the valley came from a layer of basalt lava north of. Ellensburg blue agates are endemic to the area, in that they cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Minerals from the ellensburg area, kittitas county. Chalcedony is the cryptocrystalline variety of quartz. Bluestone cosmetology is located in a historic landmark building in ellensburg, washington, along with our companion institute, bluestone academy of massage. I am not a rock shop or jeweler, just a passionate ellensburg blue hunter and collector. Other forms of agate include holley blue agate also spelled holly blue agate, a rare. This is one of the larger stones we have recently obtained, also one of the higher quality pieces.
Ellensburg lends its name to an unusual type of blue agate. Printing is not supported at the primary gallery thumbnail page. Rock hounding and rock hunting in ellensburg, wa and kittitas. Blue chalcedony gemstones by gemcutter will johnson. The jewelers son, john prentiss thompson, became a geologist and wrote a book about ellensburg blues. Ellensburg history photographs ellensburg public library. Recorded at hal holmes center on may 15, 20 in ellensburg, washington, usa. It ranges from a deep blue violet to a bright cornflower blue to a pale sky blue. Art of jewelry one of a kind ellensburg blue jewelry.
The ellensburg blue agates in the valley came from a layer of basalt lava north of ellensburg, the teanaway basalt, which is 47 million years old. Elusive ellensburg blue agates still being found in the hills. You can collect points, and redeem them for goods or services at rewards locations around ellensburg. Northwest native americans praised the area for its centrality in the region, which seattleite john a. When shoudy sought to secure a wagon road from seattle to eastern washington, over the cascade mountains, the trail led him. Our collection of ellensburg blue jewelry features strong and durable designs with an artistic touch. Describes blue agate and blue chalcedony from localities such as ellensburg, malawi, namibia, mexico, turkey,california and others with photos of blue agate rough, cut stones and jewelry.
It can be extremely helpful for those who teach andor lecture. Sep 08, 2016 what is the difference between holly blue agate and chalcedony nothing. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Anyone interested in local ellensburg history should check out the new book, images of america ellensburg by auxiliary services very own andrew caveness. Teanaway basalt is the reddishcolored basalt dating from the eocene epoch 50 million years ago of geologic history. Agate beds abound in the teanaway basalt layers throughout the kittitas region. Some sources name it as one of the rarest gemstone in the world. Biblio offers unique, rare and antiquarian books from the finest book dealers in the world. The ellensburg blue the gemstone series book 2 kindle edition by mcintosh, sharon gibson. Please first navigate to a specific image before printing. Marvin duncan kelley marvin duncan kelley, 95, passed away friday morning, june 24th, 2016 at his home in ellensburg where his wife betty, daughter. The mineral newsletter northern virginia mineral club. The ellensburg blue agate ranks as the third rarest gemstone in. Ellensburg blue agates are extracted for use as gemstones.
It includes information such as collecting locations that ive visited or that ive researched, and also information from other rockhounds. Mar 11, 2020 ellensburg blue agate is a gemstone that is unique in that it is only found in kittitas county. Cwus nick zentner presents ellensburg blue agates the 7th talk in his ongoing downtown geology lecture series. Because this is a good sized cabbing quality piece, it goes for a bit more. Ellensburg vacation guides ellensburg travel guides. Information on blue agate and chalcedony including formation, causes of color and sources for these gemstones. Rockhounds know that kittitas county is the only place on earth youll find the ellensburg blue agate. Ellensburg blue agate is only found near its namesake, ellensburg washington usa. Description of the famous mazon creek geological formation including history, fossils, paleoenvironment, paleoecology. Andrew has a bachelors degree in history from the university of washington and a masters degree in history from central washington university. Agates have been used in history to make both ornamental objects and practical items, including brooches. Ellensburg blue agate unique to kittitas county the observer.
The school is named after the ellensburg blue, a rare agate found in the teanaway formation near ellensburg and prized for its magical luster and incredible beauty. And its almost a rite of passage that if youre leaving town, you are going with an ellensburg blue, said steven townsend, who buys and sells blues at his agate and bead shop in ellensburg. Agate interiors are often botryoidal andor are lined with crystalline quartz. Both locals and rock enthusiasts from around the world come to hunt the ellensburg blue agate stone here.
Agate gemstone information natural agate gemstones. Steve townsend, owner of ellensburg blue agate and bead shop, cuts and molds the stone, handcrafting custom ellensburg blue jewelry. A large ellensburg blue agate on display at the kittitas county historical museum. Public lectures cwu department of geological sciences. Dec 07, 2009 anyone interested in local ellensburg history should check out the new book, images of america ellensburg by auxiliary services very own andrew caveness. Former cwu geology professor paul hoskin discusses his research with our famous blue agates known the world over. This page allows for the entry of rock collecting locations that have been found by users on the internet or by reference sources. They are a product of the 47millionyearold teanaway basalt.
They are primarily found in the reecer creek and green canyon areas but can also be found near thorp and west toward cle elum. Mineralogist paul breaks down the formation of the agates and comments on why our agates are blue. Ellensburg blue agates are extracted for use as gemstones in. Ellensburg blue agate contains 43 trace elements which contribute to its unique color and hardness. May 15, 20 steve townsend, owner of ellensburg blue agate and bead shop, cuts and molds the stone, handcrafting custom ellensburg blue jewelry. May, 20 presented by paul hoskin, phd, central washington university. It was discovered in 1905 by the first mayor of ellensburg, austin miers. The ellensburg blue is one of the rarest gems in the world. Special note to ellensburg blue buyers click here caveat emptor. Also referred to as eblue, the ellensburg blue agates are the third rarest gemstones in. Jul 02, 2016 marvin duncan kelley marvin duncan kelley, 95, passed away friday morning, june 24th, 2016 at his home in ellensburg where his wife betty, daughter kathy coffey and faithful corgi tuffy, were by his. Also referred to as e blue, the ellensburg blue agates are the third rarest gemstones in. Rock hunting for ellensburg blue agates in kittitas county visit the post for more. Ellensburg blue agate is one of the rarest stones in the world and the only blue agate considered a precious gemstone.
Formed millennia ago and deposited in the glacier till surrounding the ellensburg mountainsides, the rare and beautiful ellensburg blue agate has captivated local people for only a blink of an eye compared to the length of its existence. I can cut two stones from the same rock and they wont match up in color. Try your luck at the rock n tomahawk ranch 2590 upper. Ellensburg blue and holly blue is naturally bright blue. This collection features photographs of street scenes, people, buildings, and businesses in ellensburg, washington, during the 19th and 20th centuries. This website is dedicated to the amateur rockhound who is interested in finding rock specimens for their collection. Ellensburg history ellensburg downtown association. Holly blue is a little purplish, ellensburg agate is a little grayish, the namibian material is grayish to very blue, lots of local varietiesall chalcedony.
Ellensburg by andrew caveness, ellensburg public library. Those interested in seeing blues first hand dont have to go any farther than downtown ellensburg. It has since become a staple of ellensburg, nominee for washingtons state gem and sought after by many people. Learn more about the stone and where to go searching. There are other blue agates in the world, but only one ellensburg blue, a choice find with a virtual cult following. Describes blue agate and blue chalcedony gemstones and their worldwide sources including ellensburg, malawi, namibia, mexico, sumatra and others. Central rocks cwu department of geological sciences. Geologist john prentiss thomsons booklet titled ellensburg blue 1961 gives more information about the geology and history of the ellensburg blue agate, and is available for purchase at the. Whole chapter on the material in my book covering mojave blue, ellensburg blueetc. Like volcanicorigin agates, coldwater agates formed from silica gels that lined pockets.
Youll probably have to get out the book or go back to the store to ask how. Ellensburg blue agates range in color from light sky blue to almost purple royal blue. You can shop one of a kind ellensburg blue jewelry here on our website, now with online checkout, or on our etsy page here or click the photo below. One of the flats is labeled ellensburg blue agate, i have read all about how it is very rare and no longer available from the best sources as it is private land and how there are a lot of other blue agates being sold as ellensburg blue. The ellensburg blue agate is the third rarest stone in the. Ellensburg blue agate is considered a precious gem due to its singular qualities and limited quantities. Ellensburg blue agate is known for its light sky blue to cornflower blue appearance. Aug 15, 20 cwus nick zentner presents ellensburg blue agates the 7th talk in his ongoing downtown geology lecture series. Before your trip, download the myellensburg insider app. A brief history settler william bud wilson had the first claim and built the first log cabin in 1868 where ellensburg now stands. The rock itself is indigenous to the teanaway area and formations near ellensburg. Celestite tabular orthorhombic crystals, nodules and masses in shades of blue.
View our visitors guide or request a copy by mail below, and start planning your oneofakind ellensburg adventure today. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Botswana agate, ellensburg blue agate, blue lace agate, plume agate such as carey, graveyard point. Ellensburg blue agate is a gemstone that is unique in that it is only found in kittitas county. Splawn and ben burch moved a 14 x 18 hewn log house to a spot nearby so they could open it as a store in 1870. Is there a trained eye that could id this blue agate. Ellensburg blue blue variety, carnelian redorange variety, and whitegrey agates can be found. Ellensburgians are totally passionate over this stone and. The material is often referred to as ellensburg blue agate. Its only found in the northwest corner of the kittitas valley near ellensburg, washington.
Agates are primarily formed within volcanic rocks and metamorphic rocks. Ellensburg began as a small trading post in the picturesque kittitas valley in the early 1870s. Mineralogist paul breaks down the formation of the agates and reveals the source of. Elusive ellensburg blue agates still being found in the hills news.
The specific geologic formation where ellensburg blue agate is found is small and mostly on privately owned land. Sio 2 occurs as agate in various colors, often banded. Agate information a gemstone in an array of colors and. These stone have been seen to have dated back as far as ancient greece, however with their mediocre durability, their every day uses. This group is for all who have a love, admiration, need, want, desire, or want a rare. Settler william bud wilson had the first claim and built the first log cabin in 1868 where ellensburg now stands. In the ellensburg agate fields it is mixed with the darker brown columbia plateau basalt from the more recent miocene epoch 24 million years ago. Rock hounding and rock hunting in ellensburg, wa and. Highly sought after, ellensburg blue agates are unique to the northwest corner of the lower kittitas valley.
Holly blue is a little purplish, ellensburg agate is a little grayish, the namibian material is. Paul also chats about his teaching of mineralogy using cwu geologys xray diffractometer and his work in the north cascades. Ellensburg blue agates former cwu geology professor paul hoskin discusses his research with our famous blue agates known the world over. Rockhounds sniff out treasured ellensburg agates the.
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