cobbledstones
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 482
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Brazil?
Apr 14, 2015 22:34:47 GMT -5
Post by cobbledstones on Apr 14, 2015 22:34:47 GMT -5
Has anyone ever done any hounding in Brazil? I may have the opportunity to go down there this summer and would love to hear about anyone's experiences.
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RocknCritter
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 489
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Post by RocknCritter on Apr 15, 2015 9:53:10 GMT -5
Well, I've been to Brazil eight times. Seven of the trips involved some gem buying. We did a little collecting near Pancas for some aquamarine in the stream beds. Pancas is definitely off the beaten path. I ended up giving away what I did find and have a small regret I didn't keep at least one specimen. Near Mariana, the topaz mine use to let people collect their own Imperial Toapz for a fee. I don't know if it's still possible yet definitely worth investigating. I have also heard of people collecting in the creeks around Oro Preto which is on the way to Mariana. Have fun. I'm envious.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 15, 2015 10:18:36 GMT -5
My cousin Steve has family down there and visits often too,he isn't a rockhound(like the rest of the family),but he did say that rocks are to be found and bought..
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cobbledstones
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 482
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Post by cobbledstones on Jun 1, 2015 14:06:44 GMT -5
Trip official, so now I have to get to planning! Ouro Preto (topaz), and Teofilo Otoni (aquamarine) are an my wish list, but what I would really like to see is the Brazilian chrysoprase. Does anyone know the general location of the source? I found some cryptic links on the web, but no further info. Right now, I am just trying to see what is within a feasible distance from Rio. Too-many-possabilities
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 1, 2015 14:23:13 GMT -5
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cobbledstones
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 482
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Post by cobbledstones on Jun 1, 2015 16:41:10 GMT -5
Thanks Jake. I am looking through that set of search results. I also found a reference to Niquelândia - GO, Brazil as a location, which is close to, but not in Bahia
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Brazil?
Jun 1, 2015 22:04:59 GMT -5
Post by Fossilman on Jun 1, 2015 22:04:59 GMT -5
Good luck!!!!!!!!
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Post by 1dave on Jun 10, 2015 10:33:39 GMT -5
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Post by gingerkid on Jun 10, 2015 11:04:14 GMT -5
There's also some of the finest tourmaline, garnet (spessartine and almandine), and opal that you may want to look for while in Brazil, cobbledstones. Whereabouts in Brazil are you planning your travels? Sounds like fun!
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cobbledstones
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2014
Posts: 482
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Post by cobbledstones on Jun 11, 2015 9:17:58 GMT -5
Thanks 1dave, I am looking into the amethyst geodes, really amazing formations. gingerkid, I am flying in and out of Rio de Janero. I have work to do there for 3 days, then will have a little time to explore. The problem is the staggering variety of stones, the gargantuan size of the country, and the limited time I have (oh and I don't speak the language). My goal is to pick up enough material to make a strand of beads for a necklace. That will likely require some stone buying, but I don't mind. I don't know when I will have a chance to go back. in any case, I will likely have to pick one of the closest hot-spots to Rio and just enjoy the experience.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Jun 12, 2015 8:43:17 GMT -5
It is a big country and S.A. roads are on the poor side and slow. Close to Rio sounds best. Is Rio in the alluvial zone of the Amazon ? Stayed in east Peru low lands for a month and there was one rock, brought in from the hills. A round flat cobble about a foot around. The native guides would get up early and sharpen their machetes on it every morning. As a joke, someone(me) got up early and hid the rock. Mass chaos resulted, a dozen Native folks in hysteria. 10 minutes later I gave the rock back and they were rolling around laughing. Thankfully the prank went well...
There is an agate cutting district. My friend used to visit various saw shops and pick slabs to ship back in 55 gallon drums(660 pounds), an oversea container full. Price was about $3/pound polished both sides and depending on quality. And the quality of the agate was off the chart, I think we get the rejects here in the states. The Chinese have bought many of the agate mines and price went to $12/pound. Seems like he had to travel a long way to the agate cutters.
Maybe shopping rock dealers in Rio is a task in itself ? Lucky you no matter. Ask for some 7 Root whiskey. It was a alcohol based liquor in Peru that got you higher than drunk. Not sure what herbs they put in that stuff, but 4 jiggers each did weird stuff to three of us. A shaman administered it to us, blowing smoke on us at the same time. The native gals then invited us to dance with them insistently and had a peculiar habit of pinching. I am not saying where.
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Post by gingerkid on Jun 14, 2015 11:33:13 GMT -5
cobbledstones, ammy geodes sound good! I think they do a lot of repairs on the amethyst geodes in Brazil. mining Brazilian amethyst geodes: forums.opalauctions.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2474 repairing amethyst geodes forums.opalauctions.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2473Please keep tourmaline on your list of Brazilian materials to find while visiting. Hope you have a safe trip, and happy ventures!! ...Ask for some 7 Root whiskey. It was a alcohol based liquor in Peru that got you higher than drunk. Not sure what herbs they put in that stuff, but 4 jiggers each did weird stuff to three of us. A shaman administered it to us, blowing smoke on us at the same time. The native gals then invited us to dance with them insistently and had a peculiar habit of pinching. I am not saying where. oh dear.
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