Is there anything I can do with these stones?

[sillygirl96]

These stones were dug up by my husband, his brother, and his father around 65 years ago. They passed down to him after his father and brother passed. So we are inquiring, is there any value, can something we made with them, or do we return them back to the earth? Any suggestions would be truly appreciated. I hope my pictures can give you an idea.

 

[VividRed]

Cool rocks, some of them, but I doubt you can do much with them. As far as monetary value, I wouldn’t bother.

Keep them for the memories? Definitely

 

[LilAlex]

Welcome!

Interesting scenario. Be forewarned that most stories that start this way pretty much end this way but you seem to have realistic expectations at the outset. I certainly would not throw them away just yet!

Do you know what they are supposed to be? What country or region they were mined? How big are they -- either dimensions or grams? One looks alluvial and the end ones, of course, have been fashioned.

They look pretty "dry" and I can not tell if that is overexposure or dust/dirt. It would help to transilluminate some (hold against a bright light) and see if they look "gemmy" like hard candy or if they are translucent, at least.

My guess -- and I do not review a lot of rough -- is they could be corundum (i.e., ruby).

But we need some more information. Thank you for hooking us before asking what they are worth (I have no idea because I do not know what they are or how fine they are.)

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

they could make a cool rough bracelet if a hole can safely be drilled through them
or you can get settings to hold rough stones -many much nicer than this but this
was the first one that came up on Etsy when i googled
many people enjoy rough stones in jewellery or you could get the stones tumble polished maybe like the ones at both ends in your photo look like they may be

you are only limited by your imagination and google !

i do think this idea is rather pretty -if it had a base that would keep it sitting up right i'd be tempted to sit it on my windowsill, i have a few rough rocks around the place
have a look at the photos of what people have made at the bottom of the review section for ideas -remember we are not buying it, just looking for ideas

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1402726271/5pcs-twig-branch-leaf-base-pendant?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=rough+stone+settings&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&sts=1&content_source=6d2bb8e00109e4784206ebca413ae7b64775b538%253A1402726271&organic_search_click=1

they could make a lovely keepsake for within your family
pretty things dont need to cost thousands of dollars
there will be jewellers (not on the main st -in more art type areas of town) who would be more than willing to make something nice for you -have a look on facebook
this might not be your style but a daughter, grand daughter or niece might just love it

 

[Autumn in New England]

These are way too interesting (and sentimental) to discard! I could never part with them. I love @Daisys and Diamonds' suggestion to maybe wire wrap them in their rough state. I certainly wouldn't attempt to cut or facet anything, and the lower value does not require it. I also agree that they're almost certainly corundum. Where did your family "mine" them?

 

[sillygirl96]

Welcome!

Interesting scenario. Be forewarned that most stories that start this way pretty much end this way but you seem to have realistic expectations at the outset. I certainly would not throw them away just yet!

Do you know what they are supposed to be? What country or region they were mined? How big are they -- either dimensions or grams? One looks alluvial and the end ones, of course, have been fashioned.

They look pretty "dry" and I can not tell if that is overexposure or dust/dirt. It would help to transilluminate some (hold against a bright light) and see if they look "gemmy" like hard candy or if they are translucent, at least.

My guess -- and I do not review a lot of rough -- is they could be corundum (i.e., ruby).

But we need some more information. Thank you for hooking us before asking what they are worth (I have no idea because I do not know what they are or how fine they are.)

Franklin, NC in the United States - rubies and sapphires and moonstones

 

[sillygirl96]

Here are some better pictures. Franklin, NC in the United States - rubies and sapphires and moonstones.

 

[LilAlex]

Hmmm.

There are rubies in NC and I poked around at some recreational/family-type mining "experiences" (source of the screenshot below). Some of what they offer is bags of dirt salted with non-native "gems" but I do not know state-of-the-art decades ago.

Well, if only you could get the coveted "Cowee Valley" origin on your GIA report. And I guess I need to brush up on my geography because I've been thinking Burma (Myanmar) is a whole different country.




I suspect they are best as mineralogical specimens, as others are suggesting, although the one you show closest to the quarter is way better than most such specimens I have accidentally stumbled across on eBay. Most of those just look like pink granite -- utterly opaque and coarse-grained -- whereas yours have some discernible crystal structure.

 

[sillygirl96]

Thank you for you time.