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Location: Gems and Minerals
Discussion: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
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gems
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treasure hunting
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purplepat purplepat |
Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 2 2008, 1:54 PM EDT Right now, I'll just post a little teaser message. Stayed four nights last week in Spruce Pine, NC. We went "sluicing" at a salted "mine" shop and couldn't have been happier. Then I went to a genuine dig site and in a little over an hour's time, came up with two nice emerald samples. I'll be getting photos up tonight (or soon) of our finds. Let me whet your appetite by saying that we patronized the Rio Doce mine operation run by Jerry Call, Inc. and had an absolute blast. Jerry is part owner in a Brazilian mine operation and gets a lot, if not all, of his stuff from down there. Not sure how much stuff may be native, but some sure looked like it could have been native. Jerry has a home in Brazil but also in NC, and he is a master gemologist and has cut stones for Elizabeth Taylor and the Smithsonian Institute among others. We bought the $110 bucket, which includes the price of faceting or cabbing two stones from your finds. Faceting is normally valued at $50, and cabs at $40 at his shop, so basically pay $100 to get two cut gemstones and another $10 for a big bunch of very pretty rocks. And quite a few of those pretty rocks can be made into pretty things. So much so that in our bucket, my wife and her mother found five stones they wanted cut...a tourmaline, a garnet, a smoky quartz, a praisolite (green amethyst), and a star ruby. We paid the extra cash for the extra stone cuts and left happy. When we got back to our cabin, I thought "we should have just bought another bucket and gotten two of the stones cut for "free"". So we went back the next day and asked them if it was all the same to them, could we just buy the second bucket and pay the difference...and they were happy to do so. We actually found a bigger tourmaline in the second bucket than we had in the first (and the first one rough is over 11 carats). Can't thank Rio Doce enough!! Will post pics soon! 15 out of 15 found this valuable. Do you? |
 washatonian |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 2 2008, 2:54 PM EDT Greetings and Salutations, Facinating info. I presently have a R/T plane ticket to Philly which I am now going to change to Asheville or Charlotte. Unsure which would be most convieniant to access the most rewarding gem site I am learning so much about. In particular where would one fly into to get to Jerry and his oporatio.Can't wait to see your pic's......geter done :) Best Regards Andy 1 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
 pvjjh |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 3 2008, 9:28 PM EDT HI Pat, hey nice report and sounds like you had a great trip and time. Yes, please post those pics. I too think the buckets that come with the faceting and/or cabbing is the way to go. The people always seem very helpful in helping you pick the best stones for working. Even though I have to do it via long distance. How long to you have to wait before you get your cut gems back? Looking forward to those pics. Paul 1 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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purplepat purplepat |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 6 2008, 3:01 PM EDT OK, the pictures are up! Here's the link! http://www.wetpaintcentral.com/account/purplepat I apologize if I misidentified anything. If anyone who knows anything about this stuff recognizes something that I didn't identify, please clue me in (especially if it would turn into a nice stone faceted or cabbed). Also, the pictures are more or less in reverse chronological order...not sure how to re-order the pictures on the page. I recommend you start with the bottom picture and work your way up. Do you find this valuable? |
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pvjjh |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 6 2008, 3:59 PM EDT "OK, the pictures are up! Here's the link!Wow Pat you got some very nice stuff! I am sure there is facetable material there. The pics of your daughter (I presume) are great! She is a cutie for sure. It is sometimes hard to ID some of the material from pictures. I think some of the material you are calling garnets may be rubies or sapphires. Just looking at the shape and way they look. Geepers that aquamarine looks good. I would think there would be some stuff there that may facet. Get a strong small flash light, maybe dip in mineral oil and start shining it into the stone and look around. It is amazing what you may see. That looked like a kick. I love sorting and hunting like that. I am going to look at some of my stones to see if I can compare they to what you have that you want ID'ed. Maybe I can some up with something, Excellent pics. Thanks for sharing. Paul 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 TallTomSr |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 6 2008, 6:15 PM EDT hey Pat very nice pictures and a great haul. I can't help with stone ID but the sandwich looks to be PBandJ howeveer wheat bread is healthier white has clorox in it and can cause bowel problems but that is another subject LOL I appreciate the willingness you have to post those pictures it helps many of uss learn what to look for in our search's 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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purplepat purplepat |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 6 2008, 10:30 PM EDT "It is sometimes hard to ID some of the material from pictures. I think some of the material you are calling garnets may be rubies or sapphires. Just looking at the shape and way they look. Geepers that aquamarine looks good. I would think there would be some stuff there that may facet. Get a strong small flash light, maybe dip in mineral oil and start shining it into the stone and look around. It is amazing what you may see.Hey Paul, you may know better than I, but my wife swears that I've mislabeled the aquamarine. On the one hand, the color looks dead on for aquamarine. On the other, aquamarine is just a beryl crystal variety and that stuff just doesn't look like beryl crystals at all. So forgive me if I've mislabeled it...we'll try to figure out what it really is. The wife also swears that the granular looking broken chunks of rock I've labeled as "garnet" are also something else. I haven't found anything in my Smithsonian Rock and Gem book that looks like it, but I was pretty sure that stuff was just garnet of a less massive crystal type So I could be wrong again. Most of the stuff was identified by the staff at Rio Doce, but when you get my age you lose three things...one is your memory and I forget what the other two are. Paul, were you the guy that had a trusted offshore source for cheap faceting & cabbing? We'd really like to get more stones cut/cabbed, but with semi-precious stones the cost of US labor is somewhat prohibitive compared to the final value of the cut stones (assuming the finished quality is the same or very close). Do you find this valuable? |
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purplepat purplepat |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 7 2008, 10:44 AM EDT After a little research, I'm pretty convinced that all the stuff I identified as aquamarine is really amazonite. Sigh. At any rate, still very pretty. I'll try to edit the captions on my pics. Do you find this valuable? |
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pvjjh |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 7 2008, 1:33 PM EDT Hey Pat, I think you did a good job ID’ing your material. Also I think that some of your material you are thinking might be amazonite is indeed aquamarine. Aquamarine is beryl, however beryl doesn't always have to be a perfect crystal. The real good specimens are, but those crystals maybe be loosely formed for the lack of a better term this may indeed be aquamarine. I know some of the material I had ID'd in the past looks just like some of the pieces in your pics. Anyway the Amazonite I have seen is much greener and seems to be coarse granular looking at the fractured edges. Crystal’s only form if conditions are perfect, that is the time, temp, pressures, chemical makeup are just right. If one condition isn't just right, the crystals may not form but the material may form in a different shape. If that makes sense. I really think some of that material is aquamarine. Right now I am tumbling the aquamarine scraps from looking for facetable material. Hopefully there is something there I missed and may find another facetable piece, however if not, I should have some pretty polished greenish and bluish rocks. I have always have a hard time with the garnets and the ruby group. But I think that some of the pieces in the pics are rubies (only if they are red) and sapphires (only if they are not red). Just looking at the shape of the pieces and some of the crystal structure. There are also some garnets there too. Now I want to qualify myself saying that I am by no means an expert, I am just comparing the stones in your pics to stones I have that have that have been identified by experts. Yes I am the one who talked about off shore faceting. I have yet to send any material in but I do have contacts that have. There are reputable honest ones and well you know the other ones. I don't know if there is a minimum amount of material they want before they will facet for you and at cost. But it is inexpensive. Do you find this valuable? |
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pvjjh |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 7 2008, 1:52 PM EDT Sry ran out of room. I do have some very nice gem grade emeralds, but they are on the small side. But beautiful, clear green. I am just not setup very well to cut so many small pieces. I will probably be sending some out but just don't know when. But I am talking sending out like 500 or 1000 cts at a time. Maybe more depending on the pricing. I will talk to my gem guru about off shore faceting for smaller lots or by the piece. He knows tons more about all this than I do as he use to do this as part of his living. But he would send out a lot at a time, like half or whole kilos. I will find out more and let you know. Quality wise, I am sure that is it very good. I don't know what percentage of cut gems are imported and how many are cut in the US, but I would bet it is a huge percentage that come in from off shore. That is why they can keep the costs so low. Though I have to say, my guru told me that if there is an exceptional stone, have it cut in the US. the value will be worth the higher faceting costs. I don't know if this is helping you at all. lol Let me see what the guru says. Paul Do you find this valuable? |
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purplepat purplepat |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 8 2008, 10:58 AM EDT "Greetings and Salutations,Andy - Best to fly into Asheville, which is only 45 minutes or so from Spruce Pine...unless you are $$ conscious like me and can get much cheaper airfare flying into Charlotte. You'll need to rent a car either way. Here's a link to help you find some of the various gem "mines" in the WNC area. Keep in mind that a lot of these are salted bucket shops, but we found they can still be a blast. There are also some real "mines" you can go to in the area, but chances are you will find a lot less (maybe even nothing). The Crabtree Emerald mine is a good example, see www. wncrocks.com for more info. Let me know if you plan on going to the Crabtree...I'll have some info for you. Some folks that came to the Rio Doce while we were there raved about Gem Mountain, which was right down the street from Rio Doce. The wife said she got a ziploc bag full of emeralds (didn't see them, but she was sure happy). http://www.exploreasheville.com/download.aspx?id=112 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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washatonian |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 8 2008, 1:49 PM EDT How far from Charlotte? Any recommendations for lodging? trying to keep it inexpensive 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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purplepat purplepat |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 8 2008, 3:20 PM EDT "How far from Charlotte? Any recommendations for lodging? trying to keep it inexpensive"Mapquest says Charlotte is 116 mi. from Spruce Pine, 2 hrs 10 min drive. Asheville is 50 mi. from Spruce Pine, 1 hr 7 min drive. Since I'm of Scottish descent, I know all about "trying to keep it inexpensive". I guess it all depends on your comfort needs, budget, etc. We actually stayed in a cabin on Humpback Mountain which would be more accurately described as a 1350 sq. ft. house. They had a half price special running between Nov and Mar, on Mon thru Thurs, so we got the place for $80 a night. The house is only a couple of years old, two bedrooms and two full baths, complete kitchen & laundry, upstairs loft family room with fold out sofa, and a big deck with a four person hot tub...and the whole front of the house is glass, so you can look out over the mountains. We saw deer, wild turkeys and foxes within 10 ft to 40 yards of our door. Here's a link so you can be jealous, since the special ended in March.... http://www.beardencabins.com/ I also frequently use Best Western hotels, as I have a weekend job at one and often can get a sweet employee discount...we stayed three nights in Cherokee NC for $29 a night. If it's just me traveling and staying at a BW doesn't meet my needs, I'll often use Hotwire or Priceline for a good deal. They don't have anything in Spruce Pine, but Hotwire shows three places in Asheville in the $49-$53 a night range. Travelocity is showing the Super 8 in Black Mountain for $50 a night (still about an hour from Spruce Pine). The Pine Valley Motel is in Spruce Pine (I'm seeing around $55 a night) and while not fancy, has been decently reviewed. You can save more $$ (but not that much) by camping if the weather is good. Bear Den Campground's cheapest tent site (with water and electric) was still $32 a night. If you don't mind the drive, Asheville is a great town to visit...very artsy and relaxed southern feel with great food choices. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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TallTomSr |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 8 2008, 3:40 PM EDT the info is great. I have family in charlotte south carolina and hope to get down there to see them this summer. The wife also has family in west virginia. We will be driving if we make it and all the info you have shared will be of great help in planning our trip east and the length of our trip. So much to do so little gas cash. LOL 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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purplepat purplepat |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 8 2008, 4:29 PM EDT "How long to you have to wait before you get your cut gems back?"Rio Doce was only open for a short time before we visited...we were invoice #26 of the season. We were told to expect the cut gems via insured mail in about three weeks. We did have to pay a small shipping charge, but compared to $110 bucket price it was peanuts. I'm pretty sure as the season goes longer and more people leave stuff to be cut, the wait gets longer and longer. Could be that a lot of stuff gets cut during the wintertime when the mine is closed. Most are seasonal, though some run year round. Seems I remember reading about one of the NC places that had a backlog running out to 22 weeks or so (probably during the busier part of the season). We are anxiously awaiting as the days pass by to get our gems...really wanting to see how big the tourmaline winds up being after getting cut. As I recall, it had a big fracture about 40% of the way down it's length (but pretty much perpendicular to that axis), so a big chunk will have to get cut off (which I asked them to send along with the gems). Even so, that tourmaline was much thicker than the 11 carat one, and cut tourmalines run in excess of $100 a carat. We're pretty sure that that one stone alone will be worth the entire cost of the two buckets and the extra faceting/cabbing we are having done. The big lemon citrine rough that we brought home will probably yield a gem worth over $100 after cutting, and the tourmaline we brought home should also yield a nicely sized cut gem. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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pvjjh |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 8 2008, 5:41 PM EDT "the info is great.I wanna go!!! Do you find this valuable? |
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pvjjh |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 8 2008, 5:49 PM EDT "Rio Doce was only open for a short time before we visited...we were invoice #26 of the season. We were told to expect the cut gems via insured mail in about three weeks. We did have to pay a small shipping charge, but compared to $110 bucket price it was peanuts. I'm pretty sure as the season goes longer and more people leave stuff to be cut, the wait gets longer and longer. Could be that a lot of stuff gets cut during the wintertime when the mine is closed. Most are seasonal, though some run year round. Seems I remember reading about one of the NC places that had a backlog running out to 22 weeks or so (probably during the busier part of the season). We are anxiously awaiting as the days pass by to get our gems...really wanting to see how big the tourmaline winds up being after getting cut. As I recall, it had a big fracture about 40% of the way down it's length (but pretty much perpendicular to that axis), so a big chunk will have to get cut off (which I asked them to send along with the gems). Even so, that tourmaline was much thicker than the 11 carat one, and cut tourmalines run in excess of $100 a carat. We're pretty sure that that one stone alone will be worth the entire cost of the two buckets and the extra faceting/cabbing we are having done. The big lemon citrine rough that we brought home will probably yield a gem worth over $100 after cutting, and the tourmaline we brought home should also yield a nicely sized cut gem."Sounds like you guys did very well. Please post a pic of the finished gems. I know we have paid for our buckets with the gems we had cut.. Make the shipping and bucket or in your case the trip worth it. The fun in sorting and finding the gems is like a bonus. Great info Pat, thanks A trip is on my dream list. Just got to win the lotto I guess. I know my wife and duaghter like their emeralds we had faceted at Gem Mtn we got in thier buckets. It is too bad that Rio Doce dosen't ship their buckets of material. I just hope someday we can get there in person. Do you find this valuable? |
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washatonian |
RE: Asheville
Apr 8 2008, 8:19 PM EDT Wonderful. Asheville it is.I'm a road warrior so don't mind driving, will have to rent a car anyway.It is going to be a whirlwind visit as is ,4-5 days. One coming and one going and 3 to dig and sightsee. Appreciate your info. My family is also of Scottish decent on both my parents side.On my fatyhers side they were lowlanders while my mothers side was highlanders / Clan Coymns.The family fought along side of George Wallace I'll check out those links and give you an update upon my return in June. Do you find this valuable? |
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pvjjh |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 8 2008, 10:31 PM EDT "OK, the pictures are up! Here's the link!Hey Pat, I went and found my stuff that has the tags in it when the folks ID'd them for me. The pic where you question whether it is Amazonite or Aquamarine just below the mica, garnets and pyrite pic - The Linville bucket - I would say the batch from the penny up to the left is all Amazonite. Just looking at my samples compared to yours. The 3 just to the right of the penny is probably aquamarine. I had forgotten how blue tourquise colored the Amazonite is. The 2 dark ones I have no idea. Down several pics you have some orange calcite, I have some that looks just like it or very close and it is marked Adventurine (sp) It is mixed with green Adventurine as well. Maybe the same stuff. heck for all I know Adventurine maybe be calcite. Down a bunch more pics, the smokey quartz and ? from the first bucket of Rio Doce, I have some material that looks jus like the brown/orange stuff on the left side. However, I will have to root around to find it. Down I think 3 more there is another pic with the question of Amazonite and Aquamarine. I think there is both there, but the darker blue stuff on the top left I haven't a clue. Does it have the same cleavage as the other amazonite? I must agree with Tom, that sure looks like a pb&j sandwich, and looks mighty fine too. lol Yikes that is a big quartz crystal. They say where it was found? All in all excellent pics, lots of treasures and it sound and looks like a good time was had by all. I am soo jealous! Paul Do you find this valuable? |
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pvjjh |
RE: Our Western NC Gem Huntin' Trip!
Apr 9 2008, 2:13 PM EDT "After a little research, I'm pretty convinced that all the stuff I identified as aquamarine is really amazonite.Hey Pat, I found some of the stones we got in our buckets and were ID'd and sent back to us. I put up a few pics for comparison. I was wondering, did you get any Topaz at all? Paul http://cash-and-treasures-wiki.travelchannel.com/page/Rock+pics+for+Comparison# 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
