missalu
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2013
Posts: 14
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Post by missalu on Apr 28, 2013 19:26:17 GMT -5
I couldn't find a better forum area for this -I would guess most of you have been to one or at least gathered information on one. I found two areas with several sites - eastern north Carolina and southern California. The one in North Carolina has rubies and emeralds. They also will give you a bucket to wash through, if you bring them empty tuna cans (can't remember how many) or a grocery bag full of film canisters or the bottles test strips for diabetics come in. I happen to have a cousin that works for a clinic that does trials for diabetes medicines & she will happily save me the bottles. So, the buckets I would get in trade would be worth it, if I am making the trip, anyway. I am curious to know if the buckets I dig would be worth working in a trip? (think this place gives you 2 buckets to fill for the admission price). I can get links and more information, when I am in a better area for wireless, and I can get my laptop out. (I have no idea how to copy/paste with a dumbphone). I use my phone, most o
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 28, 2013 19:29:12 GMT -5
You typically find tiny bits of low quality material. Every once in a while someone does find something larger/nicer, and boy do those get talked about. The reason they are selling it by the bucket to tourists is because it is not worth their time to mine it themselves.
The rare larger piece that is not internally fractured would have to be faceted to bring out it's quality. If you do not have such equipment and skills, you would likely pay more for faceting services than the stone is worth.
Do it for the ambiance and/or the fun. It can be a good family activity. But, do not do it with expectation of profit - or even breaking even.
A few opal mines, or sites like Herkemer Diamond may run a bit better. I have heard of folks that pay a few hundred for a excavator scoop of opal bearing dirt, and with hours of sifting, do find enough to cover their cost. Some places that charge you to open a vug of Arkansas crystal can also be worthwhile - but you need to have a market for a few dozen good crystal specimens.
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missalu
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2013
Posts: 14
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Post by missalu on Apr 29, 2013 18:31:37 GMT -5
Thanks, Daniel.
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