The Brilliant Series photographs are courtesy and credit to Tom Shearer of ColdStone Photography tshearer@cliffhanger.com. Series name given because of the brilliant detail and clarity of the images. Keep in mind I sent Tom only a small sampling of Paradise Beach agates, including two St. Croix river agates, in October 2009 and this is the result of that sample! Stone brilliant_003 alone was created by Tom via a series of eight images, each with a unique focal point, digitally overlayed to create an image of magnificent detail and clarity. This technique is called focus stacking and the results are suberb. Tom is a master of his craft and his work has not gone unnoticed. In 2008 he took second place in Olympus USA's Bioscapes competition and in 2007, first place in Iowa's Silos and Smokestacks contest. More awards are in his future. His insight opens a new door into the majesty of Paradise Beach agates and I look forward to putting new learnings and his services to work.

Best regards,

Bret Fogelberg

PS: Don't forget to supersize the images!

Copyright (c) 2009 ColdStone Photography. All rights reserved.
Please do not duplicate in whole or part without written permission from Tom Shearer.

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	Agate ID: brilliant_001 Weight 14 grams. 1/2" x 7/8" x 1 1/4". This is agate_010 up close and personal. This photo blows me away.
	Agate ID: brilliant_002 Weight 6 grams. 1/2" x 5/8" x 7/8". This is agate_014.
	Agate ID: brilliant_003 Weight 10 grams. 3/8" x 3/4" x 1 1/8". This is agate_015. Eye popping detail thanks to Tom's skill, patience and focus stacking.
	Agate ID: brilliant_004 Weight 6 grams. 1/2" x 5/8" x 1". This is agate_048.
	Agate ID: brilliant_005 Weight 6 grams. 1/2" x 5/8" x 3/4". This is agate_091. Oh! Amber! Yellow limonite so real it's a galaxtic experience.
	Agate ID: brilliant_006 Weight 23 grams. 7/8" x 1 1/8" x 1 1/2". This is agate_104. St. Croix eye candy!
	Agate ID: brilliant_007 Weight 3 grams. 3/8" x 5/8" x 5/8". First time publicly seen! When I found this ~15 years ago I knew it was something special! It's consistently bobbled to the top of my small favorites and here's why. This agate is in a category by itself. I have never found another black/green with white husk like it.
	Agate ID: brilliant_008 Weight 10 grams. 1/2" x 3/4" x 1 1/4". Even ordinary agates have something to say when cut and photographed with care.
	Agate ID: brilliant_009 Weight 11 grams. 1/2" x 7/8" x 1 1/8". The image is one of my personal favorites. Creamy Paradise Beach sets the tone. The black worm hole does not go unnoticed! Cut.
	Agate ID: brilliant_010 Weight 5 grams. 3/8" x 3/4" x 1". The stone as it appears to the naked eye has little redeeming quality. Not true for the image though despite having been cracked during cutting.
	Agate ID: brilliant_011 Weight 7 grams. 1/4" x 7/8" x 1 3/8". Strawberry shortcake.
	Agate ID: brilliant_012 Weight 6 grams. 3/8" x 5/8" x 3/4". This is agate_032. Gracefully fortified.
	Agate ID: brilliant_013 Weight 1 grams. 3/8" x 1/2" x 1/2". A small 'vent' up close. Slightly faced for the photographing process.
	Agate ID: brilliant_014 Weight 6 grams. 1/2" x 5/8" x 3/4". This is agate_050. Mustard with a blue eye.
	Agate ID: brilliant_015 Weight less than 1 gram. 3/8" round. A St. Croix agate pebble.