My Finds From The Holidays + Help With Cabbing

Prospecting Australia

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Hello everyone,
Over the holidays, I went to Sailor's Creek, Moonlight Head and the quarry at Mt Shadwell. I found a small handful of garnets and zircons, nothing big enough to facet, and got a Woolies shopping bag full of olivine at the quarry. I am in the process of opening my olivine to look for gems big enough to use, and started to wonder if I can perhaps cab them? I found a few chunks that aren't all that crumbly, but I think if I tried to cab them, there is a good chance that they will fall apart. Do any of you have any experience cabbing or shaping olivine?
Also, I found some nice agates at Moonlight Head, and have sanded them. They look quite nice! There is a photo of one below. I have only ever cabbed agate and wondered which other rocks work well, and where in Victoria I would find these rocks. Any help is appreciated! 😃
One more thing, I have heard about zircons in lake Bullen Merri near mount Shadwell. It's quite a large lake, and I don't know where people find these zircons. I pass this area often and it would be perfect if I could grab some zircons whenever I pass through the area.
Thanks again!
agate.jpg garnet.jpg olivine.jpg
 

grubstake

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manficat: One more thing, I have heard about zircons in lake Bullen Merri near mount Shadwell. It's quite a large lake, and I don't know where people find these zircons.

Google is your friend. :)

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Pics:

Bull1.jpg Bull2.jpg
 
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grubstake

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Thanks mate, alright, the eastern shore. I'll be sure to go there. It seems more lesser known, so hopefully they are relatively plentiful. I'll send an update of what I find. :)
Yep, but please note that the excerpt from the geological report in the pics above says, "a limited section of the Eastern Shore", so you may need to carry a small shovel and a gold pan to test samples as you walk, to narrow down the precise area.
 

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