When someone's rock collection can hold your attention longer than most people, it's impressive. Well done.

Old disabled house bound dusty rusty rockhound here: Those are beautiful agates! I love that you remember details about finding them. Some rocks are rocks... and some rocks are old friends... it's a pleasure to meet up with them from time to time!

No doubt about it -- Sam has the Agate Eye! Thanks for showing us your best treasures. I have a feeling that your 'lesser' ones would make us all jealous, Sam.

Thank you, Sam for sharing all those beauties!!! 🥰

Sam, you have a fantastic agate collection. Thanks for sharing 👍

Thanks Sam for sharing, I remember some of those beauties from previous videos. 😍

When the student is ready,the teacher appears! Now Sam could teach class… love your Norman Rockwell family.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Yep, Sam has this stuff figured out.

Very impressive! Those agates are all so pretty.😍🥰😇👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

It's so cool that you remember where you found each one, and that each one has a story. Some might be small but they definitely earn their designation as an agate. Thanks for showing us your prized agates, Sam. (Nice distraction from homework, or to help the thinking process. I think I had a Slinky or something!)

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, but agates don't walk down stairs, alone or in pairs.

@gwynnfarrell1856

Жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks 🤣

@darkwood777

Жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks Everyone wants a slinky and an agate.

Thank you for sharing it’s really helpful to see all the different types . I’m very impressed with all of your finds. 😊

Thank you for showing us Sam’s best agates! I loved seeing them! Most of them I had seen when he first found them on the shore, but it was so nice to see them again close up.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

It's a little easier to get clear video in a more controlled environment like my basement. They're not usually quite as clear on the beach.

Cool collection. Thanks for showing us. Suzy AZ USA

A big thank you to Sam for sharing his agates with all of us. I enjoyed it immensely ! Is nice to see a teenager interested in something besides video games. Thank you again Sam !!!

That was a great educational vid, Sam. That clear one toward the end where you could barely see the bands was an eye catcher. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. God bless.

Well done young Sam great collection,its lovely to see you both enjoying looking at Sams agate collection. Its a great hobby and can last a lifetime.🦞🐚🗜️

I love how you have left them all untumbled.

Very cool Sam

Sam you are quite the Agate hunter. Your young eyes do you well. Thanks Rob for the video.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I didn't have too much to do with the video other than setting up the camera and uploading it. Pretty easy compared to most videos.

Very Cool!!

Stunning collection. I’m jelly

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ANOTHER VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful stones! I'm coming to Michigan next summer and can't wait to go rock hunting 😊😊

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Good luck!

many agates look so beautyful❤

Awesome collection, Sam!

Nice agates Sam😊

@greatnorthernviews3052

Жыл бұрын

You are an agate finding dude😉

Awesome video and great agates thanks for sharing

The one you were questioning if it's a skip an atom, it definitely is. Great find.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Good to know. Thanks!

Those are beautiful Time for them all to take a swim in the tumbler.😊

@MichiganRocks

11 ай бұрын

I don't think Sam's going to do that.

Great job, Sam. You have a good eye❤

Awesome agates Sam! I like that you have them in a jar. Jars make a neat display for them.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

It's a cool jar too. He said he just bought it at Meijer or Walmart, but I like it.

Nice!

You have beautiful agates, Sam! 😊

Great video, great collection right on Sam.😎😎

Great way to display them.

I love this video. I don't find many that people show their agates, and I think I can understand. No one would think about bothering you, but guys like me would be concerned about someone trying to steal them. It's actually why I quit collecting Baseball cards when I was a kid, but hey agates are WAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY BETTER, and more of everything that makes it the best hobby i can think of. Thank you again for this video. AWESOME FINDS!!!

@MichiganRocks

11 ай бұрын

There are much better agate collections than what Sam and I have. I don't think the risk would be worth breaking into either of our houses. Plus, it would take a thief awhile to find them among all the other rocks that are worth even less.

@kirbycraft1302

11 ай бұрын

@@MichiganRocks I hear you. I actually quit Instagram for my LSA's because of that reason. I didn't think anything about putting my location of Gary MN. on my page mattered until I started getting weird vibes about 2 weeks later, and I felt really uncomfortable. About another 2 weeks after I stopped the feeling began to subside. Next time I WILL do it differently.

@MichiganRocks

11 ай бұрын

@@kirbycraft1302 I have never worried about stuff like that. It doesn't mean it won't happen, but I just don't get those bad vibes.

@kirbycraft1302

10 ай бұрын

@@MichiganRocks IT was only that one time. I actually told the girl that works at the store I went to everyday out there, about my feeling, and she said exactly the same thing. That's when I made the decision I did. Also there's that guy that had $65,000 of LSA's stolen from him when someone broke into his house, BUT I'M quite sure he CERTAINLY KNEW the person/ 's who did it, and he probably even has a good idea exactly who too. It's just the reason I believe that most people don't. My wife has been making suggestions about me starting a channel, just because I'm pretty passionate about agates and other minerals. I believe that this winter I'll start making some videos showing an x amount of my LSA's and some of the other rocks and minerals I have collected over the past few years. I certainly enjoy watching what you and other people in our neck of the woods appreciate, and I would certainly love to show my agates and what reasons why I appreciate the ones I do. Just to help others whittle some of the off season blues away. I really do have a blessed collection, and HOPEFULLY people an teach me some things too. Thank you again, and have a great rest of the season.

@MichiganRocks

10 ай бұрын

@@kirbycraft1302 I have really enjoyed making videos and sharing this hobby with others. Most people are happy to be here, so comments are mostly positive. It has been really fun to help so many people learn how to tumble rocks. One thing I hadn't thought about when I started is how many people can't get to places like I go to on their own. Some people grew up in Michigan and have moved away, some have gotten sick, or just older and can't physically get to the beach anymore and some people just live in parts of the world that are much different than the Great Lakes. It's really rewarding to be able to share beautiful places with them. It sounds like you have some really nice agates. Many people couldn't afford to buy rocks like that and don't live where they could go out and find them, so you'd give them a chance to at least see some nice videos of them. As long as you don't feel unsafe doing it, I think you'd enjoy sharing your collection.

I found my first agates this past weekend. I’m hyped. Went to van’s beach to find Leland blue, and ended up finding the first one there among a hoard of folks trying to find blue. I couldn’t believe it. Then I found a second one at peterson park that was undeniable what it was. I’m shocked they were in Lake Michigan, never heard of that.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

They're there, but not very common. I have only found one in Lake Michigan.

Young strong eyes are the key! And Sam's are! Nice collection Sam!

HOLY WHA MAN! There's some stunners for sure....good thing you can't hear me here. lolol.....The Agate Magnet...Isn't it cool, when you can pick up a rock and it puts you right back to where you found it?? I love that part too.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I think I used to remember more of the spots I found mine than I do now. However, if it's a really good one, I still remember.

Sam, you man!

Yes Rob, when are you going to show your agates! Sam you do have the eye for agates!

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I'll do that one of these days, I suppose. Sam's collection makes mine look bad, though. I have been meaning to separate all the magates that I used to bring home from the better agates. I want to tumble the magates and do something like Sam has to display my better agates.

Thanks so much for sharing! It’s amazing to see the uniqueness of each one. Keep them coming!

Cool rocks!!!

It was fun to watch you finding these, and more awesome to see them all cleaned up!

well i going retair my bumbe bee tumbler and mske another one in its place, going do that later on in life have a happy week and keep mup the cool videos

Nice job. Pretty pretty stones.

Fabulous finds!!

Nothing like a bunch of agates in a jar! You have a brilliant collection, Sam. Thanks for the show and tell

Sam, i like how you keep them like you found them. Un worked, un polished. A nice collection!

Thanks for sharing Sam, I just wish I wasn't red, green and brown color blind!

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Ouch, that really diminishes the beauty of these. There are some pretty nice colors in there.

Awsome finds!!!!!!!!!!!! Great episode!!!!

Wow! Impressive! Learned a lot. I appreciated that you picked them up one at a time and explained what kind of agate they were and where you found them. Didn’t know there were so many different kinds! The only agates I have seen are in rock shops. Maybe someday I will find one…………. Joy S from Northern Indiana

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

They're tough to find, but such a thrill when you do. There are quite a few different kinds of Lake Superior agate, not to mention all the other agates that are found around the world.

I really enjoyed Sam’s agate collection ! I guess he’s passed the apprenticeship exams and now he is a professional rock hunter don’t you think master Rob ?! 😀

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I think I have become the student when we're out hunting.

@easterazali9237

Жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks 😂😂😂😂

You and Sam have had some great adventures, it is cool when you can find someone from the younger generations that have the same interests as you. Happy hounding.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Yep, we get along great. He was a great student in my math class and he's been a great student of rocks.

Wish I had a jar of agates on my desk.. Great idea to display them.

Nice

I can remember several of these. 😁 Still room in that jar for more.

@samcook1413

Жыл бұрын

An a bigger jar to replace it when it gets full 😂

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I remembered several of them too. Good memories.

It would be informative if you would let us know why you decided not to tumble these agates. Would tumbling erase some of the outer shell and show more of the agate lines? Those were beautiful.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

A lot of people, including Sam and I, prefer to keep their agates natural. They're so tiny that a lot of them would just disappear in the tumbler.

@rosalindhendricks6337

Жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks 🙂

Awesome collection. Really gorgeous. Thanks for the show. Any chance of a polished/tumbled agate display?

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

We don't polish or tumble our agates, so you won't see these polished up. Here's an older video where I tumbled someone else's agates that you might have missed: kzread.info/dash/bejne/h6ZsqrNxcrjfqrw.html

@Smallathe

Жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks Saw it before. I thought the polishing does add a lot. Thought you might want to hand polish a few to enhance the banded parts. No worries - the stones are gorgeous unpolished too :)

😍😍😍

Wow Sam! Nice! Yes Rob please do yours! There were a few in the beginning that are pretty large, not a lot of visible lines. Would you ever consider cutting any of those?

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Hopefully Sam chimes in here. He hasn't mentioned cutting them to me.

@samcook1413

Жыл бұрын

I’ve considered it and I can’t bring myself to do it. I like them too much as the mysteries they are and in my experience a cut and polished agate isn’t as satisfying to hold as a full nodule

@samcook1413

Жыл бұрын

If I ever do decide to cut any I’m sure Rob will be there to film it lol

@MACorrupt

Жыл бұрын

@@samcook1413 I totally understand. I have several I can’t come to change or cut. And yes, Rob will definitely be there to film it. Lol.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

@@samcook1413 Sure will!

If the big one with black is translucent it may just be super dark smoky quartz

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I suppose that's a possibility. We don't find much smokey quartz here though. In fact, I don't know if we've found any for sure.

Mineral oil can mute the colors on paints. More often than not. Especially on one's with the peach and chalk like colors. It's best to leave paints in their natural state if not going to polish.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I have heard that it's bad to soak paint agates in acid, but I didn't know about mineral oil. Thanks for the tip.

@troylarsen2454

Жыл бұрын

@MichiganRocks you are welcome. Citric acid or vinegar would be my recommendation if going to soak in any type of cleaner for paints.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

@@troylarsen2454 I don't really think any of Sam's agates need cleaning. I was told from a really good source that any sort of acid on paint agates is a bad idea. Since those already look great, I'm going to avoid soaking mine.

@troylarsen2454

Жыл бұрын

@MichiganRocks sounds good. Paints can be finicky.

Rather than mineral oil, you can also add water and a few drops of vinegar to the canning jar.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Does the vinegar keep them from molding?

@jimknarr

Жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks It keeps the algae from growing.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

@@jimknarr Ok, that's sort of what I was thinking.

Agates are beautiful polished or unpolished. Do you have any nodules that have been tumbled? I’m interested to know what they look like. I absolutely love watching both you and Rob in all MR videos!

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Here you go: kzread.info/dash/bejne/h6ZsqrNxcrjfqrw.html

Would Sam ever consider cutting the Big nodule to see if there was banding inside?

@samcook1413

Жыл бұрын

I’ve considered it but I can’t bring myself to do it. I like it too much just the way it is as a mystery egg

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I'll ask Sam to check in on the comments. I'm not sure.

@samcook1413

Жыл бұрын

If (big if) I ever do cut them Rob will definitely be there to film it lol

Awesome collection! I collect agates and quartz mainly myself, you have quite the variety! If I may ask, what do you use to oil your beach rocks?

@esthermae8710

Жыл бұрын

Yes, that is my question as well.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Mineral oil. I buy it by the gallon from a veterinary website because I also use it as a coolant in my saws. It's used as a horse and cow laxative, but it can also be used for the same in people. I used to buy it at Walmart in much smaller bottles in the pharmacy.

I wonder if you ought to split those 2 brown rocks in half going down the long way. I'm thinking there could be a surprise waiting for you.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

That's a good possibility, but Sam has decided to keep them as is, at least for now.

I have some loose rocks also. Can't see mine though.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Why not?

@jerrywiessner

Жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks They are the type of rocks that I keep hidden upstairs.

Sampsonite I was way off!

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Sampsonite? Like the luggage? I'm confuse.

How do you guys prepare your agates for display like that? I've read conflicting things online, and haven't been brave enough to try anything yet. Great video!

@samcook1413

Жыл бұрын

Those I just soaked in mineral oil for a couple hours and then wiped them off and let dry. It hides some of the fractures and makes them look better usually. It can eventually dry out on some agates and I just re-oil them every now and then. I haven’t tried to de-oil completely but that might be why some people don’t like it

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Sam has oiled them with mineral oil. That's a pretty common thing to do with Lake Superior agates.

Very nice rocks Sam ! Will you ever cut any of the larger rocks?

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

So far, he has opted not to do that. He responded to someone else who asked the same thing.

Split that rock 🪨 Length wise.

Newbie question...can you take a polished rock and cast it into resin for a paperweight type thing??

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I don't do resin, but I don't see why you couldn't do that. You could also just make a big, polished rock to use as a paper weight.

Are these rocks worth anything? I usually hunt for petosky stones with my grand kids, but these may be justcas fun for us to hunt for.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

They're worth something, but we just hunt for the fun of it. I kind of hate thinking about everything just in terms of money. Most of these are not worth much at all and if you consider the hours looking for them and the gas to go to Lake Superior from where we live, I think that would pretty much negate the value gained. It's the fun of getting out and looking for them that's the real value for me.

I don't know if I missed it, but is there one that is Sam's favorite?

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

He mentioned a couple that were among his favorites, but I don't know if he picked on overall winner.

@samcook1413

Жыл бұрын

It’s hard to say. My favorite is probably the orange and blue one currently. It’s just a neat color combo with nice bands

@danderth

Жыл бұрын

@@samcook1413 I'll have to rewatch and look for that one.

yeah more iron

which beach does one find such agates?

@MichiganRocks

11 ай бұрын

Lake Superior beaches. Lots of beaches have agates, although not many agates on any beaches.

When is Sam's channel starting?!

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I've offered to help him start one, but so far he hasn't bitten.

What feature specifically makes it a agate?

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

Agates are microcrystalline quartz and usually translucent. Some people say that they have to have bands, but there are also moss agates, like Montana agates for example, that don't always have bands.

@smorgasbroad1132

Жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks Thank you so very much. I must state looking through my small rock collection. Maybe I'll find one. 👍❤️

Hi Rob, I am from British Columbia and would like to send you agates from the Fraser River, in the Greater Vancouver area. How to I do this? My favorite thing is to look for agates, and when I find one, my eyes light up like a little kid in front of the tree on Xmas morning. I found, bought and was donated many beautiful specimen from the Fraser River. I’d love to share some with you as I know you love them too. If you are willing, let me know how I can send you a few…

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

That's really generous, but have you looked at the cost of sending rocks from Canada to the US? I sent a box of rocks to a friend in Ontario and the price was pretty ridiculous. I'd love to see the kind of agates you find, though. Do you have pictures of them posted anywhere?

@KLS1974

Жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks I might be able to ship them from the US. It would be end of August, early September… unfortunately I don’t have photos of them posted anywhere. You would enjoy them I’m sure!

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

@@KLS1974 I looked them up. They look very much like Montana agates from what I saw. Is that right?

@KLS1974

Жыл бұрын

@MichiganRocks there are clear with a white, yellow or grey tint, with banding, or no apparent banding. They can be big (70 to 100grams), also tiny but beautiful. Sometimes you see the bands only when you cut them in half. Some have quartz in the center, they have the typical husk. Sometimes they are inside a host rock. I am in Nova Scotia right now, but when im back I could perhaps send you photos through Instagram, if you'd like that.

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

@@KLS1974 Yes, that would be great.

Whats the opinions on oiling pudding stones

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

I haven't oiled them, but I don't see why you couldn't.

@markboyen1118

Жыл бұрын

Cool I will give it a try

@samcook1413

Жыл бұрын

If I had to guess it’ll soak up a lot of oil. If it’s not fully saturated it’ll dry out eventually probably

Sam - we’d like to “rent” you for your assistance finding cool rocks when we visit. Would you be open to being a paid tour guide for a few hours? 🙏🏻👍🏼

@samcook1413

Жыл бұрын

@caralyman6341 That depends on when and where you’re visiting Michigan for starters

@caralyman6341

11 ай бұрын

@@samcook1413 you answered!! We are visiting from Saturday the 12th until Thursday 8/17. We are staying in Indian River, but will drive anywhere you recommend! I’m so excited if you can do it. What’s your rate?

@caralyman6341

11 ай бұрын

My apologies as I’m not well versed in KZread chatting.

@samcook1413

11 ай бұрын

⁠@@caralyman6341 which Indian River? I searched it on Google maps and there’s several places that come up

@caralyman6341

11 ай бұрын

@samcook1413 Hi Sam! Just wanted to touch base and see if you might have any availability, or if you’re not interested. If not, no worries I know it’s kind of a weird thing to ask. Lol.

What the heck is an agate ?

@MichiganRocks

Жыл бұрын

It's a microcrystalline quartz with banding. There are lot of different types of agates. The ones in this video are all Lake Superior agates. Here's a better definition and a few really nice agate pictures at the top of the page: www.mindat.org/min-51.html