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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ Gem and Mineral Specimen Finds or Processes _ Prospecting for Diamonds in a river

Posted by: Diamond Digger May 4 2011, 07:20 AM

I Posted this on another toppic "sluicing for diamonds" so I thought I shall split it where it can be more visible to people who want to give it a go!

A short discription of How To Find Diamonds in a streambed.
Research is everything, there must be a known Kimberlite area upstream.

It is the oily layer on the outside of every diamond that cause it to remain dry.

However all is not lost! I have added a picture of a diamond sieve, the results and how to do it:
First you need a flat hard wood plastic surface covered with a thin hard carpet (The cheap ozite type Brown color will do)
This could be placed on two rocks/makeshift stand in the shadow Not in the sunlight.
Then you need a sieve as per photo.
A shovel
A small builder’s trowel as per picture.
Two plastic bottles one full of Hydrofluoric acid and one empty (Check warning at the end)
One plastic tea sieve
A small bottle with screw cap to hold the diamonds

A strong back. Ok all the gravel on the bedrock must be shovelled into the sieve, remove the large rocks Unless it glints!
Then you have to gravitate the heavy material to the centre of the sieve. This is accomplished by dipping the sieve in water and rotating it fast from left to right make sure you do not spill any gravel over the sides. Ok while you do this you will be bend over sieve in both hands and make a shaking motion up and down at the beginning of each half rotation in order to lift the gravel and help with the rotation. The heavy materials will settle in the middle of the sieve. After ten or so rotations (It gets easier) You have to see the gravel move from left to right in a circular motion then you know you are doing it right!

You need to drain the water out of the sieve by just resting it on a rock for a few seconds.
Now take the sieve over to your carpet covered (Table) in the shade and with one swift move upend the sieve on the carpet. Now shake the sieve and bang it lightly onto the table to dislodge all stones from the sieve.
If there are large diamonds in the middle of the sieve it will be easy to see and will be surrounded by black gravel/stones/Ilminite/feldspa etc.
You will see the diamonds no matter the color immediately it will pick up the sunlight and reflect it into your eyes! Like a torch being switched on at midnight! (Almost)
If there is one or even a few pick them up with a tweezers and place them in a plastic bottle. Many old timers Like me put the diamond in their mouths, it is a reliable way of testing whether it is a diamond or just a shiny crystal. However a diamond does not get wet a crystal does a diamond does net get warm either a crystal does!

Ok lets say you did not see a diamond now use the trowel to attack the round flat topped pile of gravel carefully from the side and flatten it on the brown carpet looking carefully for a diamond, by shine shape and color.
The more diamonds you see in the rough the easier it gets. An experienced Digger will go through a pile in a matter of minutes. However till you are experienced take it easy. A small stone can pay for your mortgage!
If you find nothing do not despair look for the indicators if you see them keep going you will find a diamond at some point.
Wash all the gravel out of the streambed until you get to the bedrock and keep going. Diamonds can be anywhere as they do not behave the same as gold remember that
To test your diamonds right there in the field you can buy an Ultra Violet light that is battery operated. Diamonds in their natural form fluoresce blue it does not take steam from your breath or does not get warm so try a lighter if it burns your hand it’s not a diamond!
So persistence is the way to go unless you can afford to build a proper wash-pan.
If you find a 5 ct stone you can pay for the manufacture and have some change left!
I will be happy to help just get hold of me anytime, get out there and do your research try and find rivers that run through known Kimberlite areas! Research is everything then stake your claim!


Picture 1 The sieve
Picture 2 what it looks like before you start in with the Trowel.
Picture three Rough stones before you immerse them into Hydrofluoric acid.

A BIG warning here!
Hydrofluoric Acid is the strongest out there do NOT get it on your hands or in your eyes YOU will LOOSE an eye if it splashes into your face. It is the only acid that can get rid of the oily layer and gravel and dirt still sticking to your diamond, it comes out stunning after the acid bath.
So wear goggles and gloves (Acid proof) when using the acid.
I buy two bottles and keep one empty I just dump the diamonds into one bottle then leave it overnight in the acid in the morning I use a plasctic tea sieve to pour to acid out into the other botle and catch the diamonds. I always do this in a non metalic zink.

Have fun!
DD


 

Posted by: Diamond Digger May 24 2011, 05:08 AM

A little bit of research if you are lucky enough to live in the area mentioned below any of the rivers that cross that county might have diamonds in them... when you do a hand wash look out for red/purple garnets. Then you are close.

Where diamonds are found in the United States - Colorado
The state of Colorado has been linked with diamonds since 1875 when two unscrupulous prospectors convinced the president of the Bank of California that they had found a rich diamond field. Their claims were a hoax - they had sprinkled the land themselves with gemstones! Kimberlite was then discovered in the late 1960's at the Colorado-Wyoming state line area in Larimer County, Colorado. In 1975 diamonds were recovered from unique volcanic structures called diatremes (the upper portions of these volcanic structures) which were located northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado. It was an almost unbelievable coincidence that the diamond deposit site was only 150 miles away from the prospectors hoax diamond field! In 1996, the Kelsey Lake mine began mining on a commercial scale and in 1997, the Kelsey Lake Mine produced a 28.18 carat yellow diamond. The mine was closed in 1998 but there are some plans to re-open.

Let me know if you try it!
DD

Posted by: Arbo Aug 28 2011, 03:22 PM

Hmm.. I did not realize that there is a potential to find diamond in Colorado rivers. Is it really that common, or just an odd occurrence?

Posted by: sunspirit Aug 29 2011, 03:05 PM

Arbo,
The area of Colorado that has diamond bearing kimberlite is NW of Ft. Collins near the Wyo. border. As I understand it, there are many pipes on both sides of the border. Not all have diamonds. The problem is that there is not much water around there. On the topo maps I have seen there are draws and gulleys throughout, but many are seasonal. If you were to go in the spring and find kimberlite, then there is a chance that downstream you could find diamonds. Since diamonds are light (as stones go) they may have been carried for some distance, and are not going to be settled in pockets like gold.
If you are serious about getting diamonds, research is key. On the Colorado State Geologic Map kimberlite pipes are not marked. (I may be wrong but I have not been able to figure out the codes for it) Find out what kimberlite looks like and take a hike. The area around Kelsey Lake is National Forest, but it is claimed. However that might be a good place to start. There is also some BLM land in the area that might be interesting.
The area I am talking about is huge, many square miles, and has a lot of pipes. Roughly from the Poudre river north into Wyo. and from Hwy 287 west to North Park. Horseback or ATV exploration may be necessary. (and friendly relations with the local ranchers) Let me know if you are coming up to look and I will share any info I have. Best of luck to ya, and remember - you could retire on a handful of good stones!

Posted by: Diamond Digger Aug 30 2011, 07:31 AM

I find that research on the Old West stories and gold finds are a very good place to find good diamond bearing spots, specially those that are not recorded. If you come across a story of a gold miner that found a diamond while panning try and find out where he was and go prospecting.
There are many places with diamonds that have not yet been found.
But research is the thing do not dismiss any stories of diamonds found in rivers. Go prospect the rivers and very good luck!
DD

Posted by: Arbo Aug 30 2011, 09:14 PM

sunspirit, thanks for the offer. Probably won't be anytime soon, as I'm still going to be assimilating the books of information on gold first. ;)

Posted by: sunspirit Aug 31 2011, 10:55 AM

Me too. My primary interest at this time is gold (and silver). Depending on snow cover, an expedition up north may be in the works for this fall. The area in question doesn't get snow like the high mountains and when it does snow, the wind blows it away.(usually, at least until mid winter) I will need to check on hunting seasons in the area. Getting shot is not a good idea.biggrin.gif
From now till it gets cold, I will be collecting concentrates and classifing them within an inch of their lives.
If any diamond-like rocks show up in my buckets I sure won't throw 'em away!
p.s. I did hear that a fisherman found a small diamond in the Poudre river a few years ago. I guess it was just lucky that he had enough geology background to know what he was looking at.

Posted by: Diamond Digger Oct 8 2011, 04:39 AM

Sunspirit,
Sorry it took so long to leave a comment.
Now that spot where the fisherman found the diamond is where you should start washing the gravel, there must be a pile of diamonds there just for one to lie on top of the soil!
Wow I would be on it in a flash!
Let me know if you find anything.
DD

Posted by: ASTROBLEME Oct 9 2011, 09:29 AM

QUOTE (Diamond Digger @ Oct 8 2011, 05:39 AM) *
Sunspirit,
Sorry it took so long to leave a comment.
Now that spot where the fisherman found the diamond is where you should start washing the gravel, there must be a pile of diamonds there just for one to lie on top of the soil!
Wow I would be on it in a flash!
Let me know if you find anything.
DD

Hi DD,

This mining district is deeply eroded and numerous diamonds have been recovered downstream from the kimberlites.

Here's a link from a diamond geologist who worked that area that should get you excited!

http://diamondprospector.webs.com/kimberlite.htm

ASTROBLEME

Posted by: Diamond Digger Oct 9 2011, 11:14 AM

Astrolobe,
Lol Yeah I have seen that however it will take someone like me to get stuck in and make them pay. A lot of people try diamond digging and employ a lot of staff generally spend millions before a diamond is recovered then they wonder why they cannot find enough to cover the debts.. result mine closes and the investors loose a lot of cash.
Seen that happen on that mine up the road there, you know the one I am talking about. Very sad man!
There are a few places I would love to give a go, I can build the plant for a very good price get the machines in 2nd hand and before the first month is out I will be showing handsome profits.
Done it before for other people this time it will be for myself.
emoticon-misc-004.gif
LOL
Cheers
DD
Now if you know a clever sharp backer tell him about me...
happy070.gif

Posted by: rrtdave Feb 9 2012, 12:45 PM

Excellent instructions, now where do I find this sieve?

Thanks,

Dave

QUOTE (Diamond Digger @ May 4 2011, 07:20 AM) *
I Posted this on another toppic "sluicing for diamonds" so I thought I shall split it where it can be more visible to people who want to give it a go!

A short discription of How To Find Diamonds in a streambed.
Research is everything, there must be a known Kimberlite area upstream.

It is the oily layer on the outside of every diamond that cause it to remain dry.

However all is not lost! I have added a picture of a diamond sieve, the results and how to do it:
First you need a flat hard wood plastic surface covered with a thin hard carpet (The cheap ozite type Brown color will do)
This could be placed on two rocks/makeshift stand in the shadow Not in the sunlight.
Then you need a sieve as per photo.
A shovel
A small builder’s trowel as per picture.
Two plastic bottles one full of Hydrofluoric acid and one empty (Check warning at the end)
One plastic tea sieve
A small bottle with screw cap to hold the diamonds

A strong back. Ok all the gravel on the bedrock must be shovelled into the sieve, remove the large rocks Unless it glints!
Then you have to gravitate the heavy material to the centre of the sieve. This is accomplished by dipping the sieve in water and rotating it fast from left to right make sure you do not spill any gravel over the sides. Ok while you do this you will be bend over sieve in both hands and make a shaking motion up and down at the beginning of each half rotation in order to lift the gravel and help with the rotation. The heavy materials will settle in the middle of the sieve. After ten or so rotations (It gets easier) You have to see the gravel move from left to right in a circular motion then you know you are doing it right!

You need to drain the water out of the sieve by just resting it on a rock for a few seconds.
Now take the sieve over to your carpet covered (Table) in the shade and with one swift move upend the sieve on the carpet. Now shake the sieve and bang it lightly onto the table to dislodge all stones from the sieve.
If there are large diamonds in the middle of the sieve it will be easy to see and will be surrounded by black gravel/stones/Ilminite/feldspa etc.
You will see the diamonds no matter the color immediately it will pick up the sunlight and reflect it into your eyes! Like a torch being switched on at midnight! (Almost)
If there is one or even a few pick them up with a tweezers and place them in a plastic bottle. Many old timers Like me put the diamond in their mouths, it is a reliable way of testing whether it is a diamond or just a shiny crystal. However a diamond does not get wet a crystal does a diamond does net get warm either a crystal does!

Ok lets say you did not see a diamond now use the trowel to attack the round flat topped pile of gravel carefully from the side and flatten it on the brown carpet looking carefully for a diamond, by shine shape and color.
The more diamonds you see in the rough the easier it gets. An experienced Digger will go through a pile in a matter of minutes. However till you are experienced take it easy. A small stone can pay for your mortgage!
If you find nothing do not despair look for the indicators if you see them keep going you will find a diamond at some point.
Wash all the gravel out of the streambed until you get to the bedrock and keep going. Diamonds can be anywhere as they do not behave the same as gold remember that
To test your diamonds right there in the field you can buy an Ultra Violet light that is battery operated. Diamonds in their natural form fluoresce blue it does not take steam from your breath or does not get warm so try a lighter if it burns your hand it’s not a diamond!
So persistence is the way to go unless you can afford to build a proper wash-pan.
If you find a 5 ct stone you can pay for the manufacture and have some change left!
I will be happy to help just get hold of me anytime, get out there and do your research try and find rivers that run through known Kimberlite areas! Research is everything then stake your claim!


Picture 1 The sieve
Picture 2 what it looks like before you start in with the Trowel.
Picture three Rough stones before you immerse them into Hydrofluoric acid.

A BIG warning here!
Hydrofluoric Acid is the strongest out there do NOT get it on your hands or in your eyes YOU will LOOSE an eye if it splashes into your face. It is the only acid that can get rid of the oily layer and gravel and dirt still sticking to your diamond, it comes out stunning after the acid bath.
So wear goggles and gloves (Acid proof) when using the acid.
I buy two bottles and keep one empty I just dump the diamonds into one bottle then leave it overnight in the acid in the morning I use a plasctic tea sieve to pour to acid out into the other botle and catch the diamonds. I always do this in a non metalic zink.

Have fun!
DD


Posted by: russau Feb 10 2012, 08:38 AM

you can get that sieve at any good mining supply shop. and there are several in Colorado!

Posted by: leonard Feb 10 2012, 02:19 PM

QUOTE (russau @ Feb 10 2012, 07:38 AM) *
you can get that sieve at any good mining supply shop. and there are several in Colorado!



The process is the same as saphires. Here's a video we made a few years back.

http://golddredgervideo.com/prospecting/sapphirewashing.wmv

Heres some pictures of Diamond Mining at Crater of Diamonds in arkansas.


http://golddredgervideo.com/prospecting/craterofdiamonds/craterofdiamonds.wmv

Leonard

Posted by: Diamond Digger Feb 15 2012, 08:35 AM

Hi Dave,
Have fun! it is hard work and do your research well before you go out. I find it is always good to rest the back after an hour for at lease twenty minutes!
lol
DD
Please post pics here if you find anything!
Thanks
DD
Russau and Leonard thanks for the cool info!

Posted by: Diamond Digger May 9 2012, 03:33 PM

Dave any luck in finding a sieve?
DD

Posted by: sunnymoedawg Aug 27 2012, 12:36 AM

Hey Astrobleme...I am introducing myself on the forum by adding in some info from Dan Hausel link you posted earlier. Wyoming is a gemstone state. There is a great deal of gemstone quality olivine (Peridot) in the Rock Springs Uplift. This is the Leucite Hills volcanic field. There are 22 known lamproite flows, dikes, necks, plugs, cinder cones, and pumice cones lying along the northern flank of the uplift (Hausel, 1998). The magical rock here is not kimberlite, but what was once known as Wyomingite. Petrographic studies show Leucite Hills lamproites contain diopside, phlogopite, titanian-potassium-richterite, leucite along with several other indicators and/or olivine, with minor apatite, perovskite, ilmenite, armalcolite and spinel.

These Leucite Hills volcanoes are similar to leucite lamproites and olivine lamproites in Western Australia and Murfreesburo, Arkansa (Carmicchael, 1967). In particular, Carmichael noted similarities with the Arkansas olivine lamproites and L.H. madupites. This similarity makes the potential diamond exploration target.

Of known lamproites in the world, olivine lamproites offer the greatest potential for signifigant diamond mineralization. In other words where there is olivine gemstones, there is diamonds.

Search Black Rock, sweetwater co., Wyoming to view a classical example of the Leucite Hills. Hausel collected gemstone quality olivine within anthills that were digging up the gemstones near the localizations. Unfortunately, Black Rock is mostly owned by the Union Pacific, with a small sliver of access to the area. Check for claims.

I have a small library of old, rare and current mineral publications released by the WGS and especially Dan Hausel, the gemhunter himself. I currently am working on access to a state land claim surrounded by private land. With luck, I can gain permission and will post any success of gemstones I find. I am after corrundum and garnets at the moment. I really wish to find some diamonds, but need to research a bit more, which leads my next question to diamond digger....

I have the location of "large quantity of garnets in alluvial bottom gravels of xxxx River, 10 miles upstream from "xxxx Ranch" where the old road crosses the river"
other locations include 1/4" garnets just off a mica mine; a scheelite (tungsten), ziosite, epidote, garnet matrix, a site that yields perfect garnets; placer deposit with bright red > 1" in diameter deep red-purple red sapphires

am I correct to assume that where there is large kimberlitic and lamproities and areas with high concentrations of garnets, one should check the areas a bit more closely? I also have found a correlation between vermiculite and corrundum in Wyoming. Hausel indicates that between 10-20% of all vermiculite deposits contain corrundum. How many attics are insulated with red rubies?

Thanks for allowing a introduction HiJack....

If anyone is interested in exploring the Wyo/Colorado diamond gemstone areas or needs a hand to shovel those boulders thumbsupsmileyanim.gif thumbsupsmileyanim.gif I am fair game! I live up in Wyoming, near Cheyenne, but have lived/explored the entire Front Range from New Mexico up to Montana. Thank you for the great website and posts!!!

Posted by: Diamond Digger Oct 14 2012, 02:44 PM

So then lads!
Anyone tried and found a diamond?
Remember a diamond has an oily outside and does not get wet, easy way to spot them!
Have fun!
DD

 

Posted by: rrtdave Aug 27 2014, 01:45 AM

QUOTE (Diamond Digger @ May 9 2012, 04:33 PM) *
Dave any luck in finding a sieve?
DD



DD,
Really sorry for the late post!! I found a sieve and used it for Montana sapphires and garnets. I am still planning a trip to Colorado again, specifically looking for diamonds this time. I did find an ounce of gold last time, but want to concentrate on the diamond areas.

Thanks and sorry for the delay,
Dave

Posted by: Diamond Digger Aug 27 2014, 01:03 PM



No worries Dave have a good hunt and put some pictures on if you find any!
DD

Posted by: Diamond Digger Jan 9 2015, 04:24 PM

Hi
Just a few pictures to wet the appetite..
Have fun out there.
DD happy070.gif

 

Posted by: fenixsmom Jan 9 2015, 04:35 PM

Holy crap! I admit I was a skeptic, but now.... the proof is in the pudding! Great finds!!!!

Posted by: rrhobdy Jan 22 2015, 11:40 AM

QUOTE (Diamond Digger @ Jan 9 2015, 05:24 PM) *
Hi Just a few pictures to wet the appetite.. Have fun out there. DD happy070.gif





Here's a picture of a little one... .15ct, note the cleavage plane on left side. Found it while vacuuming out my car. Must have spilled out of the 3 buckets of sand I brought home from the state line district of CO. See my post under Diamond Cleaning.



 

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