Gemstone prospecting?
 

Anyone try their hand at gemstone prospecting yet? I have watched some programs over the television about gemstone prospecting down south. I would not mind spending a vacation in North Carolina doing some prospecting. If nothing else it would be nice to get out in nature.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

I would like to try it myself Voice. I must have saw the same program. Years ago the locals would throw the aquamarine stones into an old stump. They didn't know they had any value. Story goes that the old stump full of them is still out there somewhere. Maybe I'll meet you there.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

There is suppose to be an awesome Rock and Gemstone show each year in Quartzite Arizona.
I would like to do that one. I am after the Brazilian Agate myself. It has a very high hardness rating and will chime.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

hey voice of reason,
Prepare yourself.....I started getting into stones a few years back. It is fun to poke around in the dirt all day and come home with a bucket full of "rocks", spend a few hours on some diamond lapidary machines and turn your rocks into truly amazing "gems".
I suppose most folks don't go balls to the wall like i did, but be forewarned! it's a pretty addicting activity!

as for the commercial type "fee mining" places?, i've not had much luck....but as an introductory course, they are worth it.(the fun factor is pretty high, i will admit.)

I focus most of my efforts on hunting for alabama paint rock agate, some of the most beautiful stuff you'll ever lay your eyes on. The adventures i've had........lord.......it's part deliverance/part indiana jones.

Go to this link and find a local lapidary/gem and mineral club and go to the meetings.http://www.lapidaryjournal.com/archive/clubs.cfm

you'll probably wonder into a room full of blue haired folks,mistakenly think you've stumbled into the shuffleboard/bridge club at the senior center...don't be afraid:proud:

Gem mining and lapidary arts used to be one of the most popular hobbys mid 20th century, so i'm told. The knowledge some of the old-timers are willing to share to the newbie is mind-boggling. ask around and I'm sure someone will sneak you to a local secret spot and show you the ropes.

have fun!

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

Spent time in the Central Desert of Oz fossicking for red agate.Fourty deg celcius [110f ?], and covered in so much dust that you only see your eyes.Best ime of me and my wifes life.We are planning to go back again soon...

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

...not familiar firsthand, but the Tucson, Az "show" (it's more like the premier worldwide convention for miners/jewelers/retailers. THE big daddy,if you will) is what you're referring to, Curtman.

I've been trying to make the pilgramage for the past five years, but funds are never quite padded enough for the amount of buying I would no doubt be doing.
Some of my thriftiest(who am i kidding...they're downright cheap tightwads!) friends have rolled back into town, sparks flying from the underbelly of a pickup truck so weighed down by rocks, i thought their tires were going to burst. I'm talking no place to sit in the cab so you pile rocks around/on passengers weighed down. Imagine trying to drive 1600+miles with 80 lbs. of agate on your lap.:eek: That's what tucson will do to a sane man!

Here's a quick guide I dug up.http://http://www.johnbetts-finemine...les/tucson.htm

there are hundreds of sites devoted to Tucson, but the above will get ya started. one day I'll see ya there!:banana:

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

Watch the commercial sites. Most offer salted or "enhanced" dirt which is fine if a person doesn't mind investing their time and work looking for something that someone else already knows is there...or not there. Ask if the "dirt" is native and untouched or "enhanced" with stones. Many stones that are found at commercial sites have stones that come from all over the world. They're greate for kids...not so great for anyone who is serious about hunting. For many of us it's the "chase" that is fun...and the finds when we know we're the first person who has ever seen it.

There are some great sites in NC and diamonds found at a State Park in Arkansas: $5.00 per day cost for all the ground dirt you want to dig and sift through. There have been some VERY good diamond finds there.

Gemstone prospecting and mining like gold, is great fun; lots of commeraderie among seekers; fresh air, good exercise; marvelous outdoor family activity that requires no investment unless a person wants to have their own equipment...then all that's needed is a shovel, a 3/5 gal. plastic pail, a (say) 1/4" mesh-screen to sift dirt through, perhaps a 5X loop, a container with a good lid for "finds", some water...and a good lunch.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

I thought it ws Quartzite but I may be wrong. I get all excited about this stuff everytime someone starts talking about it, buried treasure and all.
I think we have some members down there in arizona or new mexico. I am thinking of finding a place in SE Texas near the water. I think it is going to be a hot area in the coming years.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

Curtman

The offer is still open for the Nevada site I told you about.

Did you say in an earlier post you collect gems/gemstones?

Want some Brazillian Emeralds in their host rock? Interesting as all get-out.

I've got them stacked around my mailbox post because I had no other place to put them.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

Thanks I do intend to take you up on that one day also.

I do not know much about the gem stones but used to get sliced pieces of Brazilian agate because they have a high hardness.
I used to make Chimes out of these with a nice piece of driftwood on dark days in the winter when the snow was too deep to work in the woods.
They sold like hotcakes at in the spring at farmers markets, swap meets, and craft fairs up north here. I remember them being sold years ago when I lived in Orange County at the swap meet there and it was something easy enough to do.
I learned how to hustle from swap meets. Saved me many a time over the years.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

I keep looking for burried treasure and know "X marks the spot". My problem is that no matter how hard I look I can't ever find an "X'".

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

I have had great luck at this place in North Carolina. http://www.gemmountain.com/ . I have dealt with the owner and done some trading with him a few years ago. He is an honest straight up guy that makes sure you get what you pay for. The also have a large gem and mineral show in June down the road from here know as the Grassy Creak show. I live less than an hour from Spruce Pine. They are several mica mines in the area the typically house several different gem stones. I use to go to what is known as the Ray Mines in Yancey County and find aquamarine crystals and apatite crystals most are only cab grade but some will facet. I also have a facet machine and cut my own gems.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

Thanks jhwatts; I appreciate the information. My wife would be elated at a good chance to find a decent emerald that we could have made into a setting. Any ideas where we might try in NC? We don't live too far away to make a weekend trip.

Thanks ahead of time.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

p.s....

We don't want to look through any dirt that's been salted.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

Thanks for all the posts guys.

Re: Gemstone prospecting?
 

I own some turquoise mines in Nevada. I go prospecting on them regularly, and get some nice turquoise. If you are interested in that, check out my web page on it at:

http://nevada-outback-gems.com/prosp...ton_nevada.htm

I even have a page for virtual turquoise mine tours at:

http://nevada-outback-gems.com/mine_...oise_mines.htm

Hope you enjoy the information.

Chris