Page 42 - BSAM 2015 Q1

Top; A tall narrow peak dividing two lower ones creates an almost surrealistic effect to
this mountain-shaped stone. This small stone measures 20 cm wide, 15.2 cm high, and 12.7 cm deep (8 x 6 x 5 inches including base)
Bottom; An impressive mountain with two flat tops
at different levels and a
stream cascading over rocks. This Mojave Desert stone is approximately 30 cm wide, 8 cm high, and 7 cm wide (11.8 x 3.1 x 2.8 inches).
temperatures, particularly the more continental Gobi Desert. Thousands of years of freezing and thawing resulted in a gradual breakdown or degradation of stones. Both desert regions experience strong blowing winds laden with sand. These steadily wear away the softer portions of stone leaving extraordinary shapes from the remaining harder stone. These “wind blown” stones are some of the best known of the desert stones. TheChinesewordfengliisdefined“windblown.”Only stones that have been formed by this action should be called fengli. It is not a term to be applied to all Gobi Desert stones.
Not all desert stones are fengli or wind shaped stones. Petrifications are also found in both desert regions. These are often mineral deposits that have replaced all of the organic material in tree trunks and branches to the point that they are totally stone—near- ly identical to the wood and bark they replaced. An- other type of desert stones are mineral deposits that are found in cavities often associated with fault lines. These are agates and other forms of chalcedony stones. The Gobi Desert is famous for its large, one to multi- colored grape agates. The single mine producing grape agates in the Gobi cannot meet the domestic demand for these stones. Thus, they have become extremely expensive—the large, grape-shaped, multi-colored agates commanding the greatest prices.
Regardless of the desert, the winds and sand can take a stone and delicately carved it into a magnifi- cent shape over time. The stone may be tiny to fit with the palm of a hand or much larger, weighing over 100 kg (220 pounds). Most are rugged and reminiscent of young mountain chains, while others may be abstract, and only occasionally have a resemblance to a figure. A dry lake bed or ancient streambed in desert areas may yield beautiful agates and other stones shaped by long lost, flowing waters. Even though the land in what is now Death Valley National Park is definitely off limits to collectors, there are many other areas in the cold desert regions of North America where choice stones can be found. Areas with regular high winds are also likely locations for stones shaped by wind and sand. Collecting desert stones is challenging and rewarding. Excellent stones don’t have to be black, smooth, and shiny.
42 | BCI | January/February/March 2015