GEOdyssey
Red Horn Coral from Utah
(updated 1/18/2010)
Fossil horn corals (Caninia torquia, Pennsylvanian age), in which the calcite that normally makes up the coral framework is replaced by red agate (quartz/carnelian), from Summit County, Utah. These were mined commercially for a while, but the location has been closed for a while now (it's part of a National Monument). We have a couple of flats of these, many polished on the ends to highlight the red agate, priced from $8 to $12 depending on size and quality, or if polished. These can sell for as much as $35/pound when bought in bulk, and usually require a lot of cleaning. They can be cut into cabachons and make very attractive jewelry pieces.
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__ This specimen has been polished on the end to highlight the red agate and coral structure.It's about 1.5" long and 1.0" across the polished face (#G08-906, $10).
__ Another specimen, with lots of red agate on the outside. (#G08-928, $12)