COLORADO DIAMOND PROSPECTING, Colorado has diamond deposits, you just need to look... |
COLORADO DIAMOND PROSPECTING, Colorado has diamond deposits, you just need to look... |
Nov 21 2008, 07:26 PM
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#31
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Rock Bar! Group: Members Posts: 613 Joined: 16-October 08 From: Central Colorado Member No.: 6,813 |
Hi Everyone:
Diamond prospecting isn't too hard if you know what to look for. This photo was recently posted publicly by another diamond expert (Dan Hausel) whom I've worked with and have grown to respect over the past few years. I am excited to now be able to share some knowledge through this forum as I have endured much difficulty in the early years while learning about diamond prospecting on my own. The specimens in this photo are great examples of "indicator minerals" that were recovered from a diamond bearing area (Sloan Ranch kimberlite pipes #1 & #2) right here in Colorado. If you ever find minerals that resemble these specimens in any of your samples, I'd advise you to consider testing the prospect area for DIAMONDS! Sincerely, ASTROBLEME -------------------- Annual Dues Paying Member Since 2008
Tonko Mining Company "Some day this crater is going to be a greatly talked about place, and if the above credit is due, as is certainly the case, I would like to have it generally known for the sake of the children." Daniel Moreau Barringer 2/1/1912 in a letter about the Barringer Meteorite Crater, Arizona USA |
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Dec 26 2014, 10:19 AM
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#32
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Diggin' In! Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 14-September 14 Member No.: 118,101 |
Hi, y'all! I'm Rocket's partner. We have had a great time researching land records (I do this as part of my 8-5 job). We've been doing it on the State Line District for about 6 months now. Both Astrobleme and Dan Hausel (in his two bulletins, 11 & 12) have been very encouraging, suggesting we don't have to drill kimberlites to find lots of diamonds, just "pick them up off the ground"' or dig in a streambed ("there's lots of diamonds in ******* creek"). (I've seen that photo of the double handful of diamonds. Is this for real?) Logically, in creeks below kimberlite lakes and on public land seem the biggest potential for gemstone finds. We were both wondering, however, how deep you have to dig in a typical mountain stream at 7,000 - 8,000 feet to get to those choice minerals? Are we talking 3 feet or 30 feet? It also appears on the land records that there are a lot of closed claims scattered about. Does this mean they were mined out? Or did those enthusiasts from the 2008-2009 diamond rush just get burned out and discouraged? We're still planning that August (or maybe July) vacation, and are wondering what affect the 2013 floods had on the mountain streams and roadbeds? Are many still closed? It's been great reading all the posts and getting a growing education on the life of a Colorado prospector.
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Dec 26 2014, 02:44 PM
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#33
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Rock Bar! Group: Members Posts: 898 Joined: 9-January 14 From: Denver, CO Member No.: 116,265 |
Hi, y'all! I'm Rocket's partner. Hi Somethin' Else! Welcome to the CP forums! QUOTE suggesting we don't have to drill kimberlites to find lots of diamonds, just "pick them up off the ground"' or dig in a streambed Even the large operations in the kimberlite pipes have to process tons of material to find enough diamonds to be profitable. I would say it is possible to find some on the ground and in the right streams, however you may have to move lots of material to find one. QUOTE We were both wondering, however, how deep you have to dig in a typical mountain stream at 7,000 - 8,000 feet to get to those choice minerals? Are we talking 3 feet or 30 feet? It always depends on the certain geological spot where the gemstones have concentrated. When digging in streams for float material, bedrock can be 1' down or over 30 ft. down. I have never dug a hole deeper than 4.5 feet below water line cause that's as deep as my chest waiters can go(digging for gold). QUOTE It also appears on the land records that there are a lot of closed claims scattered about. Does this mean they were mined out? It can be that the material was depleted or it can be that it was unprofitable for the current conditions. I know many gold mines in Colorado didn't close because they were mined out, they just cost more to extract than they can cover in value.
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Dec 28 2014, 02:51 PM
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#34
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Diggin' In! Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 14-September 14 Member No.: 118,101 |
Hi Somethin' Else! Welcome to the CP forums! Even the large operations in the kimberlite pipes have to process tons of material to find enough diamonds to be profitable. I would say it is possible to find some on the ground and in the right streams, however you may have to move lots of material to find one. It always depends on the certain geological spot where the gemstones have concentrated. When digging in streams for float material, bedrock can be 1' down or over 30 ft. down. I have never dug a hole deeper than 4.5 feet below water line cause that's as deep as my chest waiters can go(digging for gold). It can be that the material was depleted or it can be that it was unprofitable for the current conditions. I know many gold mines in Colorado didn't close because they were mined out, they just cost more to extract than they can cover in value. Thanks Mike! You've been most helpful. I read a lot of comments about needing big machinery to process enough dirt to make it profitable, and i can see why you'd have to -- the cost of operating all that machinery (and paying the mortgages on it). But how about the small shovel, trommel, sluice and gold pan operation? Do y'all find enough gold in a day's panning to pay for your outing? Or enough to make it a good income source? |
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