New to rockhounding |
Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums > Prospecting and Rockhounding Gatherings or Events > Prospector's Outings and Adventures  |
New to rockhounding |
 Apr 12 2015, 01:26 AM
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#1
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Diggin' In!  Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 8-April 15 Member No.: 120,342  |
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?
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Apr 13 2015, 04:56 PM
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#2
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Shovel Buster! Group: Members Posts: 171 Joined: 19-October 14 From: Denver Member No.: 118,315 |
Hello packd93, and welcome!
 The best way for me to answer your questions is to ask a few of my own. * Do you have any rockhounding gear, such as a Rockhammer, Chisels , or any other gear? * What kind of gemstone do you think you want to try to find? * What area do you want to try looking, close to home? What area do you live? * Is the family members you want to bring, small children, or mostly adults? There are many types, and levels of gemhunting in the state. Your answers to these questions will help me narrow down some possible suggestions for you. Also the "signs" to look for, depend greatly on the type of gemstone environment (granite pegmatite, metamorphic rock, sedimentary rock) -------------------- Thankful member of COLORADO PROSPECTOR CLUB
Level 2 Joined Oct. 19th 2014 (pay member since Apr. 1st 2015) Referral code: DS531 "Like a fine gemstone, the mind is more beautiful when it is open and free to receive the light." - (Dave's ramblings 52 : 80 ) |
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Apr 13 2015, 04:59 PM
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#3
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Shovel Buster! Group: Members Posts: 171 Joined: 19-October 14 From: Denver Member No.: 118,315 |
Sorry I just realized that you said near Denver.
Consider that question answered.
-------------------- Thankful member of COLORADO PROSPECTOR CLUB
Level 2 Joined Oct. 19th 2014 (pay member since Apr. 1st 2015) Referral code: DS531 "Like a fine gemstone, the mind is more beautiful when it is open and free to receive the light." - (Dave's ramblings 52 : 80 ) |
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Apr 13 2015, 06:48 PM
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#4
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 Rock Bar! Group: Members Posts: 898 Joined: 9-January 14 From: Denver, CO Member No.: 116,265 |
QUOTE (packd93 @ Apr 12 2015, 02:26 AM)  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? Welcome to the forums packd93! One tip that helped me to start finding crystals was to start following chunks of white quartz until I started finding clear/smokey chunks and crystal shapes. The key is finding a legal place to prospect. A good topic to start learning to do proper land research is How Do I Avoid CLaim Jumping? There is lots of great info here on the forums to dig into!
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Apr 13 2015, 08:50 PM
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#5
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Diggin' In! Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 8-April 15 Member No.: 120,342 |
QUOTE (Dave S. @ Apr 13 2015, 05:56 PM) Hello packd93, and welcome! The best way for me to answer your questions is to ask a few of my own. * Do you have any rockhounding gear, such as a Rockhammer, Chisels , or any other gear? * What kind of gemstone do you think you want to try to find? * What area do you want to try looking, close to home? What area do you live? * Is the family members you want to bring, small children, or mostly adults? There are many types, and levels of gemhunting in the state. Your answers to these questions will help me narrow down some possible suggestions for you. Also the "signs" to look for, depend greatly on the type of gemstone environment (granite pegmatite, metamorphic rock, sedimentary rock) I dont have alot of gear but chisels and hammer pick and prybar and smoky quartz and topaz amazonite and i have a five year old that likes to dig and my wife wants to go and im near north table top in golden |
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Apr 13 2015, 08:52 PM
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#6
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Diggin' In! Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 8-April 15 Member No.: 120,342 |
QUOTE (MikeS @ Apr 13 2015, 07:48 PM) Welcome to the forums packd93! One tip that helped me to start finding crystals was to start following chunks of white quartz until I started finding clear/smokey chunks and crystal shapes. The key is finding a legal place to prospect. A good topic to start learning to do proper land research is How Do I Avoid CLaim Jumping? There is lots of great info here on the forums to dig into! Ya i will read that because i dont want to offend anyone and its rude to steal from people |
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Apr 13 2015, 09:09 PM
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#7
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 Master Mucker! Group: Members Posts: 1,282 Joined: 13-January 14 From: Lakewood, Colorado Member No.: 116,305 |
Sounds like you are on the right track good sir!
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Apr 13 2015, 09:14 PM
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#8
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Diggin' In! Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 8-April 15 Member No.: 120,342 |
QUOTE (fenixsmom @ Apr 13 2015, 10:09 PM) Sounds like you are on the right track good sir! Thank you |
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Apr 14 2015, 03:00 PM
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#9
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Shovel Buster! Group: Members Posts: 171 Joined: 19-October 14 From: Denver Member No.: 118,315 |
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.  -------------------- Thankful member of COLORADO PROSPECTOR CLUB
Level 2 Joined Oct. 19th 2014 (pay member since Apr. 1st 2015) Referral code: DS531 "Like a fine gemstone, the mind is more beautiful when it is open and free to receive the light." - (Dave's ramblings 52 : 80 ) |
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Apr 14 2015, 03:17 PM
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#10
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 Master Mucker! Group: Admin Posts: 4,149 Joined: 7-October 03 From: Colorado Member No.: 3 |
Hi packd93, welcome to the forums.
 Dave and Mike have both given some great info that hopefully helps, awesome input guys.  I'd also add that while sites like Mindat and others are awesome resources for what can be found at some areas, make sure to understand that any websites "location" or "access" information to specific places is hearsay unless you yourself have verified that access information prior to field trips. I personally really like all mineral info Mindat offers but wish it didn't include location directions or access proclamations, that can really be confusing. Mike and Dave's reply's are a great start and like they've already said, feel free to ask questions when needed.You're heading out with the right attitude, good luck with all your prospecting. Bet the family will have a great time out there. -------------------- CP-Owner/Administrator
www.ColoradoProspector.com IF YOU USE IT, THE GROUND PRODUCED IT! MINERS MAKE "IT" HAPPEN!! |
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