Twenty-Five Slope Point Stones Polished for Oliver, July 2022: Part 3, Stones 16 to 25 (Dots, Orbs, Breccia)

In Part 1, I introduced eight stones that I had tumble-polished for my fossicking buddy, Oliver Simpson, who lives near Slope Point in Southland. Part 2 featured seven petrified wood stones. In this Post, the remaining ten stones are presented, a variety of types and colours and patterns. Many, if not all, of them are probably rhyolite.

Stones 16 and 17 both have very small light-coloured “dots”. Closer examination reveals the complexity of the dots. These are sometimes known as “flower garden” rhyolites (see page 35, #8, in Thornton).

Stones 18, 19 and 20 have slightly larger “dots” or orbs, also of different construction, the first two also being “flower garden” rhyolites.

Stones 21 and 22 have a different kind of orbs, darker in colour and with less sharp boundaries.

Finally, three brecciated stones. The final one is a favourite of Oliver’s. He was less impressed with Stone 24 while I really like it, so he kindly let me keep it.

The next lot of Slope Point stones from Oliver has been handed over to me to take home to tumble-polish. I am looking forward to what is revealed.