Mariposa Gargoyle Gold Specimen comes to Ironstone!

The Kailani Mining Co. is proud to present the 

Mariposa Gargoyle Gold Specimen. 

Now on display and available for sale at 

Ironstone's Heritage Museum, here in Murphys, CA.

Specific Gravity Tested 2.192 ozt of gold in this stunning specimen and valued at $7150.00.  Miner Captain Dan, brought us a photo of the larger specimen that the Gargoyle had separated from. It is amazing. We have it on display along with the Gargoyle inside the vault along with the Kautz Crystalline Piece. 

O.K. we know that 2.192 ozt doesn't compare to the 44 lbt of the Kautz Crystalline Specimen, but the Gargoyle will sit nicely in anyone's display shelf.  Come see for yourself!

Lapidary Gold Mine!

We have been very busy here at Ironstone's Heritage Museum. Incoming is an overwhelming collection of lapidary rock and collection minerals, over 70 boxes!  These are all coming in from a very old collection, near 90 years old. 

Not having a geologist in house, the research to determine what these are and what value if any is a bit challenging, but doable.

Once pieces have been identified, they will go up for sale here in the Museum. 

This week we will be tackling the items in the photos below.

Rhodonite in 4 very distinct colors and patterns along with a very large slab of what I was told is onyx.

The Rhodonite above are very large slabs and cabochons. Forgive my little camera, but that yellow piece is actually a very lovely peach color, not yellow. Ditto below...

The first slab is a rich pink with distinctive black patterns. Most resemble landscapes with Oak Tree images. There are quite a few slabs and cabochons of this particular color.

The round cabochon above is a much lighter pink with more spider web like black lines. You can see white quartz on many of the slabs and cabochons of this coloration.

The far right slab is a sparkling pinkish red color with both less distinctive black lines as well as more defined markings. There are fewer of this coloration in the mix so far.

And last by not least is that NOT yellow oval cabochon. It is a beautiful peach color with black accents. Very few of these pieces so far. 

However, since we have unpacked only 10% of the entire collection, there is no telling what we may find throughout November as we unpack the collection.



According to Wikipedia...
Rhodonite is a manganese inosilicate, (Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca)SiO₃ and member of the pyroxenoid group of minerals, crystallizing in the triclinic system. It commonly occurs as cleavable to compact masses with a rose-red color (the name comes from the Greek ῥόδος rhodos, rosy), often tending to brown because of surface oxidation.

Mohs scale hardness‎: ‎5.5 - 6.5

Crystal symmetry‎: ‎Triclinic 1 pinacoidal

Crystal habit‎: ‎Tabular crystals, massive, ...

Crystal system‎: ‎Triclinic - Pinacoidal H-M ..


Rhodonite crystals are known for their capacity to bring emotional healing and to release blocked energy from within the heart chakra.

Above you see today's challenge. The very large slab I have been told is onyx.  It is a very old collection piece around 10" x 8", going from 1" thick to 2" thick.  Stunning cream color with some crystallization in some spots. A beautiful piece.

On top are several cabochons that may or may not be of the same material along with 3 beautiful pieces of stone canyon jasper. 

We are very grateful to the Calaveras County Gem & Mineral Society for offering to help us unpack and identify the remaining boxes of material. It will be like Christmas for all of us!   I will be posting images of pieces we are working with along with specimens that have already gone into the new cases here in the Museum.

If you love rocks come on by and take a look. There are some really outstanding slabs, specimens and cabochons. 

And, if you know rocks, you may correct us at any time! Your knowledge is more valuable that our "Google-ing". So do stop on by.

Behind the scenes shots

Gett'n ready for The Band Perry!

We Are BACK!!!

It has been too long since we have posted or even had time to visit all our friends here at the IronstoneBlog!

But do not fear, our hiatus is over.

We are getting ready today for The Band Perry Concert.  Light and sound crews are unloading and lifting gear on the new state of the art stage, lots of trucks unloading props, drums, guitars and more.

Very exciting!  Tuesday, the 11th. Gates open at 6:00 pm.

Enjoy a few of the back scene photos ... More as soon as they download from our phone...

Meet Artist Katherine Forst

Katherine Forst

 Flora  Katherine Forst   mix  16x12.5  $1250

Artist Biographye

Katherine Forst, b.1979, Oakland, CA, is a Monterey based artist who creates mixed media art based on the classical mosaic technique. She studied art history at Smith College with a passion for Italian Renaissance art. After graduation she moved to Italy where she lived for 10 years, absorbing the ancient and Renaissance aesthetic. While in Italy, she studied mosaic in Ravenna at the Centro per on Formazione Professionale (CFP), and the Accademia dele belle arti and apprenticed in Ravenna's top mosaic studio. She was certified by the CFP as a professional mosaicist. Her work has been shown in galleries around California.

Meet Artist Sherrie K. Palmer

Sherrie K. Palmer

A member of Arts of Bear Valley since 2003 and a certified oil painting instructor, Sherrie's love of art began in early childhood. In 2000 she bacame interested in painting with oils after having painted for years with acrylics. Her inspiration was a magazine article that stated, "it's never too late to be what you might have been." That was inspiration enough to make a goal of finding out what it would be like to be "An Artist". With the encouragement of her family and friends, that inspiration has become a true reality.

   Sherrie has participated in art lasses in community college and workshops in Vallejo, CA, Portland, OR and Murphys. She and her husband moved to Arnold from Concord in 2003, after a 15 year desire to live in the Sierra Foothills. The family vacationed at Lake Alpine regularly, enjoying camping, fishing, and hiking. Sherrie says "the Sierra Mountains inspire the artist in everyone. The skies, sunset, windflowers, the stars so close at night; God's absolute beauty is everywhere you look."

Beginning in 2003, she has taught several floral & landscape classes in the Bay Area and Arnold. Sherrie has also exhibited at the following places, Bear Valley Summer Art Show, Calaveras Big Trees Show, Calaveras County Fair (numerous awards), Murphys Grill, Cottage Springs Resort, Snowflake Lodge, Pacific State Bank and Window Gallery in Arnold. Sherrie has served as President for Arts of Bear Valley in 2009, 2010 & 2011. She was Chairperson for the 2012-2013 Big Trees Park  Summer Art Show. Her desire is "to continue my pursuit of fine arts, expanding my talents to enhance my capabilities." She has continued to add watercolors to her palette by attending workshops by Jill Figler, Carolyn Macpherson, Jeannie Vodden; art classes of Martha Wallace, Murphys ; oil workshop with Judie Cain. Since 2012 Sherrie has been the Art Teacher at Christian Family Learning Center in Angels Camp, Ca. Sherrie feels that "art gives me the true joy and pleasure of reaching the artistic person inside of me."

    Sherrie's present preferene is oils, as they "have a deep rich color when incorporated together, you can experience an explosion of many colors, textures and even a translucent appearance." She delights in capturing this result with large floral, animals. Landscapes and many other artistic forms,

maxmerlo@comcast.net

Meet Artist Judie Cain

          Judie Cain
                        www.cainart.com

Country Classic * WINNER, 3RD PLACE *  gouache 5x7 $300

Oil Painter, Instructor

~a colorists' nostalgic impressions ~

A native of Burlingame, CA, Judie studied at California College of Arts after high school. Family responsibilities behind her, in 1987 taking an early retirement from the business world, Cain returned to painting by attending college, numerous workshops and taking private lessons.

Judie has taught her oil painting fundamentals and color workshops in the western states as well as locally. She also paints in gouache.

~~ Her paintings and classes are at Copper Art Gallery, where she'll be teaching "Color Demystified" classes in May. Www.townhallarts.com. 209-785-2050.

Gifts from the Farm  oil  20x24  $1800

This award winning artist has been represented in galleries in Washington, Oregon, New Mexico and California, including Murphys, Copperopolis and Carmel.

Ms. Cain has several works in print, Giclee and produced on home products and are collected worldwide.

Meet Artist Carol Clark

Artist: CAROL L. CLARK

Date: March, 2015

The Gift  oil  24x30  $325

Carol's favorite mediums are oils and waterolors. She enjoys bright and muted colors as well as the affects created by glazing layers of transport colors.

Carol enjoys landscapes, historial building and homes. This year she added figures to her themes.

Carol sells her art as originals and displays them at Ironstone Vineyards.

Waiting  oil  18x24  $300