First post in 2007!

Well, obviously I don’t spend a lot of time updating this blog and for the same reasons, the website.
As you may have ascertained through my writings, I am not in the business of Ellensburg Blue, rocks or gemstones. For me, this is simply an outlet to showcase some of my finding and share information about this unique agate found exclusively here in Washington State.

I receive frequent email for a lot of great folks around the country. (And the world for that matter) Most of the mail I receive falls into three categories, which are:

1) Where do I find the stuff! (Or variation thereof)
Sorry – as you may have read, virtually all of the hunting grounds are on private property.

2) I have some blue rocks – is it Ellensburg Blue? AKA If I wish hard enough, can I say its Ellensburg blue and sell it on ebay?
Except in rare cases, I have quit trying to help people identify their finding, because frankly most of them don’t have Eblue and want to deny the fact even after they discover the truth. As a matter of fact, a lot of it does ultimately end up on e-bay, only to be sold to some trusting – unsuspecting buyer.

3) I like the site – thanks for the pics and info.
Now this is the type of email I appreciate most – thank you!

If you do send me a note for whatever reason, please keep in mind that for me this is a hobby and passion, not a business. Therefore it could be days, weeks or possibly even longer before I get back to you, if at all, depending on which category you fall in above.

In closing I might add that while on an occasional blue moon I do have a private – limited sale on a few select cut blues, I do not make a habit of selling my agate.
I would guess that ultimately, it will end up in a nice little museum somewhere for everyone to enjoy.

- www.blueagates.com

December 2006

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Blueagates.com

Fall 2006

I have been so busy taking advantage of this season's hunting, that I have not keep up with posting new photos or posts. . . . But as the summer comes to a close, stay tuned for some incredible specimen pictures and website updates.

Thanks for visiting!

Specimen Identification

In the movie A Few Good Men, Jack Nicholson responded to a question by saying, “You want the truth, you can’t handle the truth!”
Well, that is how I feel when folks write to me, asking for opinions about whether or not what they have is Ellensburg Blue. . . . .many, wanting to “believe” what they have is E-blue, simply cant handle the truth if they find out it’s not. . . . If you do not like the potential answer, please do not ask the question.

While in most cases (Almost always) I steer away for offering my thoughts on specimen identification, I will occasionally give some feedback if the specimen(s) are “clearly” not Ellensburg Blue.
In one such recent case, after asking my opinion (It was not e-blue) the person in question promptly put them all on auction marked “Ellensburg blue”
So, to the bidders I say, sorry you did not read this sooner, and to the seller, “I don’t know how you sleep at night!”

Like it or not, this is the truth. . . .

Visit website at BlueAgates.com

May 2006

Well, I have reluctantly placed another piece of “real” Ellensburg Blue agate on eBay again. . . While I prefer not sell (strictly a hunter and collector) it’s difficult for me to sit back and watch sooo many people being ripped of by sellers offering (some knowingly and some unknowingly) fake Ellensburg Blue Agate. If I can help educate just one potential victim, it will give me at least a little piece of mind.
Some of you may be asking yourself, “why don’t you just expose the fake sellers?” bottom line; I am not an eBay policing agent.
Beyond my attempt to help educate folks, it’s as they say, “Let the buyer beware!”

On a positive note: Check out some of my newest finds on the homepage of my website www.BlueAgates.com

*While there is "fake" Ellensburg Blue Agate sporadically sold on eBay, there are also a handful of honest, credible and genuine sellers too. (Auctions start and end all the time, therefore this blog entry does not refer to a specific point in time on eBay)

Blue Hunting In 06

The year is off to a great start. . . .
Stay tuned to my website Blueagates.com for the newest pictures from the field.

For the first time ever!

As noted on BlueAgates.com, I am not a rock shop or jeweler, just a passionate Ellensburg Blue hunter and collector.

However, due to frequent inquiries from some great folks about where to acquire “genuine” Ellensburg Blue Agate cabochons, I have decided to make a very limited number available for the first time on BlueAgates.com

Please keep in mind that genuine quality Ellensburg Blue agate is not the least expensive gemstone available – however you can rest assured that any you may acquire from BlueAgates.com, is straight from the source, offered at a fair price, guaranteed genuine and will provide you a lifetime of rare beauty. Click here to go direct to the for sale page.

Blue Agate Basics

The “Ellensburg Blue” Agate

Found only in the northwest corner of the lower Kittitas Valley, near Ellensburg, is the unique stone known throughout America as the “Ellensburg Blue.”

What makes it unique and much sought after? The answers to this question can be summed up in several words. Scarcity, color range, variety, hardness and adaptability to a variety of settings.

The scarcity of the stone is such that finding even the smallest of pieces is considered a good day’s find. Most all of the land where "Ellensburg Blue” is found is private and inaccessible.

Color of the “Ellensburg Blue” ranges from a light sky blue through a cornflower blue to an almost purple royal blue. Clouds, streaks, or bands may occur in the agate and graduates from nearly opaque to transparent.

The hardness of any stone is measured on the MOHs scale of 1 to 10. One being Talc and ten diamond. Using this measurement, “Ellensburg Blue” will test out at from 7.5 to 8.3 or harder on the scale.

Because of its singular qualities and limited quantity, the “Ellensburg Blue” has been re-classified by many gemologists to be a precious gem. For additional information and photographs of Ellensburg Blue Agate, visit www.BlueAgates.com

Exclusive for blog visitors

I have prepared a page on www.blueagates.com exclusively for and only accessible to visitors of this Ellensburg Blue Agate blog - the most recent post is video footage taken on a typical blue agate excursion. Better than a picture, it will help to show (You have to imagine the 100-degree temperature!) what hunting for blues is really like.

Blue hunting video

What's in a name?

A few of you have noticed that the text in some of my recent photos refer to www.ellensburgblue.com
I thought I would mix it up a bit, as I use both of the domains www.blueagates.com and www.ellensburgblue.com – either way, you end up at the same place.
Thanks for noticing!

Gold Vs. Silver

What is the best way to show off your Ellensburg Blue agate?
As you can see from this picture below, gold tends to better accent Ellensburg blue agate by framing its subtle shades while silver results in a more matted or subdued appearance. So for me the choice is obvious, gold all the way. In fact, a few jewelers/designers I know refuse to use anything but gold when working with Ellensburg Blue agate.
However, in the end, it’s whatever makes you happy, because after all, there is no bad way to wear a blue!
http://www.blueagates.com

Gold Vs. Silver 

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend - 95 degrees and the only shade found, is the shade I create. . . .
No blues to speak of today - As is sometimes the case. So till next time. . . .

A Few Good Questions. .

Here are a couple great questions recently sent my way.

Why am I so concerned over folks selling fake or mislabeled Ellensburg Blue agate – and why don’t I simply expose these unscrupulous sellers?

Good questions. First, it’s simply frustrating for me to sit back and watch good people paying top dollar for near worthless and readily abundant agate. Many years ago, I too was one of those folks ripped off. While researching what was to eventually become a passion and hobby for me, I bough a few pieces of what was advertised as Ellensburg Blue – only to discover some time later and much to my embarrassment, that it wasn’t Ellensburg blue at all (I show some of this on my website (http://www.blueagates.com/) but was actually bluish agate worth only pennies!

The problem only perpetuates itself when buyers of “non” Ellensburg Blue attempt to sell their cut or rough inferior agate, refusing to believe or acknowledge the frustrating truth when it’s pointed out to them.

Then there are those flagrantly selling fakes – I’ve watched one of these sellers make several thousand dollars over the past months milking unsuspecting and trusting buyers.

Yes, it’s very very frustrating.

So, the second question, why don’t I just expose these scamming pieces of #8&# by name or auction? Simply, I don’t want or need the liability. I will hopefully save a few folks from being ripped of, thru education and a healthy dose of skepticism. THAT is why I occasional (and reluctantly) sell a small piece of blue every now and than, drawing people to my website and now (A bit less politically correct) blog.

Beautiful specimen of Ellensburg Blue Agate
 

Buyers beware

For info on buying E-blue, check out some friendly advice at www.blueagates.com

FAQ

Q: Is Ellensburg Blue found anywhere else in the world?

A: No - while blue agates are found worldwide - Ellensburg blue agate is only found NW of Ellensburg, Washington USA

Did you know. . .
Washington State's gem is Petrified Wood & Nebraska's State gem is Blue Agate

See more FAQ at www.blueagates.com

Buying Ellensburg Blue Agate

Ellensburg Blue is often unidentifiable by even the trained eye, so know and trust the source... Regrettably due to it’s beauty, popularity, value and scarcity, the amount of “fake” Ellensburg Blue agate being sold on auction sites has reached an epidemic proportion. (Don't get burned!)

I have recently seen blue agate worth just a few bucks, sold as E-blue for hundreds! ~ Regrettably, as they say, "there is one born every minute". Don't let this be you -

Be weary if:
· Beware of terms such as “old stock”, “estate” and “Ellensburg Style” as these terms frequently accompany fake or mislabeled E-blues.
· Tumbled and cabbed stones are particularly difficult to authenticate
· If the price is too good to be true – It’s probably not a blue!
· Money back guarantee IF you can prove it’s not real


Ways to protect yourself:
· Ask the seller for a written note of authenticity
Review the sellers “buy” history as far back as you can – Look for anything suspicious
Ask for a 150% money back guarantee ~ If the seller is sure it's genuine E-blue, they will have no problem with this.

For the latest information on Ellensburg Blue Agate - visit www.blueagates.com

The color of blue

For the latest pictures of Ellensburg Blue Agate, visit my updated website at www.blueagates.com

Got Questions?

I'm happy to answer your questions about Ellensburg Blue Agate