Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2007 23:59:05 GMT -5
After a couple weeks of vacation and good times, I snuck away to dive for jade on the Big Sur coast yesterday. The ocean was very calm and visibility was exceptional. Before my drive there I had to fill up my dive tanks at a local dive shop. While waiting, I saw a disposable underwater dive camera on the wall. It was pretty cheap, rated for 80ft, & came with a flash. So I thought why not try it out. So when I arrived I thought I would get some hunting in and takes some shots. While underwater, there were lots of fish hanging out in the kelp bed off shore. It was pretty nice, taking shots of the scenery, fish and getting some jade here and there. After about 45 min, my air was getting low and started heading back in. While swimming back in, I saw out of the corner of my eye a very nice gem sticking out of a cave buried in the ground. This piece was very nice, glowing with nothing sticking to it. I took out my crowbar and tried the scratch test and it just rolled off. A very nice gem. So, looking at my pressure guage and about 550 pounds left of air I tried digging the piece out. After a couple hundred pounds deleted from my tank I realized this was going to take a lot more effort. So with what little air I had left I surfaced and took some bearings for locating on my next trip. Pretty confident I could find it again, I swam in back to shore. About ten yards from the beach the tide started rolling in pretty good. While navigating through the maze of rocks I got hit pretty good with a series of waves, then I heard a "crack". I knew right away what that was, my cheap dive camera. That is the reason I don't take my good camera out there! On the way back home I kept thinking about that nice jade boulder sticking out on the sand and could not get the plans out of my head to retrieve it. So on Monday I am going to try and get it out. Anyone up for a adventure? Anyone with a Lear jet or Lamborghini to make a fast road trip? PM me if interested. LOL! I know but thought I would throw it out there. My neighbor Ed (stoner) probably has to work on the new home. Well anyway, I will update if successful. Or maybe someone will find me with my arms around it out of air. Here are some photos of what I found that day:
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Post by akansan on Aug 11, 2007 0:05:21 GMT -5
That middle one looks different than your normal finds you post from there - is it as green or blue inside? Or is it that nice brown? I don't think I've seen a nice brown jade! (And yes, I also accept that my monitor coloring can be off. It's amazing the difference between my home monitor and my nice LCD screen at work. )
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,789
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Post by adrian65 on Aug 11, 2007 0:13:02 GMT -5
I don't have a Lear jet or Lamborghini, but after reading your story I could even swim to you! ;D
Adrian
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2007 0:17:43 GMT -5
Akansan your right, I have not posted or found many like these. They are called "Vulcan Jade" This piece was really interesting looking. Sometimes they are all blue inside. people just collect them for the outer brown rind to keep as specimens.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2007 0:20:31 GMT -5
Adrian, I will put a giant X on top the cliffs where I will be. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids while swimming!
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Aug 11, 2007 2:08:23 GMT -5
Well, if Matt saw this, he would be on the road in a Nebraska minute in the mini-van. He is so intrigued (as am I) about the whole diving experience. That's something we just cannot do here. Please, try taking pictures again? Can you rescue the other camera?
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Post by Lady B on Aug 11, 2007 6:54:35 GMT -5
I wish you would stop telling us all these wonderful stories and posting pictures of your amazing finds! It's really difficult to get all the tears dried out of my keyboard and I can't tell you how many times I have ruined my nails trying to reach into my monitor to touch those gorgeous rocks. So just stop tormenting us, Nephrite, you hear?!?!? Hmmm, "Vulcan Jade"...isn't only logical to write another poem about such a beauty? Lady B
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Post by Tweetiepy on Aug 11, 2007 7:52:36 GMT -5
Wow Tony as I'm reading your post, I can see that Jade book that's circulating around going through my head - this time with a change of names... I can totally see you trying to dig this 10,000 pound boulder out of the ocean bottom! I wish you luck in finding it again - and post pics of your find (or haul it on the back of a flat bed and come 'round Canada with it! I'll be the one licking it!
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luv2hound
freely admits to licking rocks
I try & I try, but dang it! Those rocks just keep ending up in my pockets
Member since June 2007
Posts: 890
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Post by luv2hound on Aug 11, 2007 8:40:59 GMT -5
You've got some really nice pieces. I'm particularly intrigued with the brown one.
I see that there are pinks spots on it (and the bottom one too). Is that in the rock or is it perhaps lichen or some other organic matter?Will you keep this as a speciman or will you cut it?
Love hearing about your adventures. Sure hope you find the elusive one next time. Thanks for the pics.
~~Mitzi~~
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Post by joe on Aug 11, 2007 9:23:36 GMT -5
Great adventure! Sure, I'll just hop into my Ferrari Testosteroney and be out there in a flash!
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Post by texaswoodie on Aug 11, 2007 9:45:52 GMT -5
I'll be there in a heartbeat..........In spirit anyway.
Curt
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 11, 2007 10:43:39 GMT -5
what a great story, shame about the dive camera tho! i was getting ready to sit back and see fish pics. yeh, let me jump in my matter transporter and we'll have lunch after our dive....
KD
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WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Aug 11, 2007 10:48:06 GMT -5
I'm gonna have to get certified so I can visit Tony. I am SO ENVIOUS of his ability to just prance on over to the Pacific anytime he wants...and then to find that gorgeous jade, too.
Tony - YOU SUCK! ;)S
PS: No mermaids?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2007 22:57:19 GMT -5
Karen, the camera was completely smashed on a rock. It was a total loss. Anytime you & your family make it to California let me know as I will give you all dive lessons.
Lady B, dry up those tears. The last time I checked a tear sculpture is going to make its way to you soon.
KD, Joe and whoever Else its still not to late. Calm seas are prevailing through tuesday. I will be there on monday!!
Susan, omg your right. I will stop diving- NOT LOL!
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Post by beefjello on Aug 12, 2007 20:22:28 GMT -5
Wow! That's some nice lookin' green!
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raqy
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 799
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Post by raqy on Aug 13, 2007 0:11:40 GMT -5
Well you always find the best and have soo much fun at it. Maybe you could get another camera so we can see more. Have fun and be careful..
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 13, 2007 9:40:01 GMT -5
TONY!!!- Nice to see your finally giving up that nasty boulder opal habit you had!!!! Damn- wish the camera had made it- Oh well your words paint a wonderful picture- As for the dive- well I can barely dog paddle- so I would not be much use- Plus the Lamborgini is in for an oil change- and the Lear Jet needs a new set of tires- Maybe next time!
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