New to rockhounding Options

[packd93]

Hi im new to this and i was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on what to look for when finding gems and some good places near denver to take my family?

[Dave S.]

Cool, those are the main tools you might need. I also recommend leather gloves, or a hand rake, for when you discover crystal bearing gravels, and decomposing rock.

Looks like the main gemstone/ minerals you are looking for are types that are found in the "Pikes Peak Granite". There are many places in Colorado where this type of granite appears at the surface, but the closest places to Golden where you might find this rock is the Southern half of Jefferson county. This basic area is where I have had the most luck, and best finds.

I must warn you however, that many of the areas with this rock type can be a little rugged for smaller children, some areas are too rugged for some adults!

I don't have an exact location to suggest at this time, but you might discover good/ new areas by starting with some research on MINDAT.org . That site has info on historical, and some modern mines. It also describes some historical deposits (pegmatite areas) that may point you to the right spots to do further research. I recommend you get familiar with that site by looking at just Jefferson county info. (to narrow down the large amount of information available)

Then when you have a few "target areas" you will be able to do further research, as my brother MikeS suggested.

Note: The CP club is here primarily to educate you on how to do your own research. Never trust someone else to tell you "exactly" where to dig. (even if it is someone from this site.) So don't hesitate to ask us questions about the research process, it involves a learning curve.