The goodies are out there, we just have to do some research then get out there and look.
Some locations are so plentiful, you can see them on the ground, just awaiting to be discovered.
This little piece even has some moss growing on it because its been waiting to be found so long....hehe
mmmmm........ Bubblicious......mmmmmmm...
Sometimes the colors even jump out at you.
Most of the stuff found on the surface is small, but perfect for tumbeling.
Anybody else finding goodies right on the ground like this?
Pinon Mesa near Grand Junction has some nice agate laying all over the ground. Have found a lot of nice stuff for tumbling up there.
I love Agate Rich, will have to check that out sometime! What kind of colors?
Yes it is HighPlainsSifter, good eye. Some of the pieces we found even looked like crystal flowers.
Thanks, I would love to see pics of what it looks like in your area.
Here is a small piece that has a dark colored inclusion inside it. Piece is as small as my finger tip, but has great detail I think.
Im not sure HighPlainsSifter, but It sure is cool. Especially with the darker inclusion inside.
Im looking forward to seeing pics from your area.
This is a piece that Mike found and gave to me. It definately shows color!
Here is a picture of the front side with druzy......then a picture of the backside showing whats causing the colors.
(red and orange)
Pardon my dry thumb in the pic.
I'm not cerain on the red color either, but it appears to be an inclusion (iron stain possibly? is what we thought too) in a few of the begining formation layers against the matrix material the chalcedony formed in.
The darker spots seem to be related to the begining layers formed too. Once we get a couple samples polished out it will be fun to see what they look like with the clear agate layers overlying polished. The first cuts have pure white bubbles under the clear bubbles which should really be cool when cabbed out.
Looking forward to seeing some pics for sure HighPlainsSifter.
CP
oooooooooo.....Very cool!!! You have pictures of your fountains? We would all love to see some of your art work, and those sound fantastic.
No rush on the other pics....Safety first always.
The piece I found with the dark inclusion is about 1/2" wide, and was found about 20 miles or so NW of Monta Vista Colorado. It fits on the tip of my index finger.
Your water fountains sound fantastic! I'll be patient for pics.
Feel free to list them in the forums for sale section If you want.
You havent seen the rest of the website yet? Well sounds like you need a tour....hehe
My husband Dan and myself run and operate http://www.coloradoprospector.com/.
We created it in 2003 to help people find and learn how to research for open land to prospect on.
Since then, it has progressed into much more.
All the website work is done by Dan and myself. So if you find something broken.....Dan did it!
(Sticks tongue at Dan ).......just kidding
If were not out finding goodies, we are cleaning and working them to bring out their beauty.
We also created the http://coloradoprospector.com/MinersMarket/minersmarket.html to help keep the website going, and so people have a trusted place they can list their mining related creations.
Thanks for the compliments on the guitar picks! You can find them in the "Folk Art" section. Stone sculptures I make are coming soon. Only have pics of those in the forum here so far.
I think its also a good site to bookmark as your home page.
I may be a bit partial of the site though.....hehe
Check it out and let us know what you think.
I just wernt to the Miners market. So much to see on this site that I just hadnt gotten there yet. I may take you up on your offer to post the fountains. I have 6 in inverntory now, so I will start taking pics again soon. I do have one 2 part question......
1. Is it always the mans fault
1A You dont know my wife do you?
LOL.....
I think my wife of 25 years allows me to believe that I am in charge, but I repeat alows me to believe that. She is the steadier influence.
Your too funny.
The ones that are tumbeling are turning out great! More are showing the pink tint now that they are cleaner.
Here is a picture of a little crystal flowers that I also found.
Some were even mixing with the Chalcedony in some pieces, like this bigger one in my hand.
Very nice! I simply must get off my butt and get to take those pics!
This spot sure caught my eye! Not sure how this formed (erosion/formation), but it sure looks cool. The one on the right almost looks like it snapped or folded over.
Any ideas anyone? I would sure love to know more about it. Might be a fun place to go back and check out!
Sure looks interesting. Is that a tailings pile in th background???
I think that is the natural hill side climbing upwards in the background. The scenery and dirt colors change quick also.
Here is another spot that is interesting looking. Almost looked man made when I first saw it.
Cool pic! I wonder if those rock have any fossils in them??
You never know nmjack, there are areas in Colorado known for fossils.
While out exploring, we came across this.
Here is where the bats were roosting. Im no http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guano miner, so we will gladly continue on to a different area.
Plus bats are sensative to their roosts being messed with. So I took my pics and moved on.
This was a little more eye catching!
It is wet because water was seeping out of the mountain on it.
Hard to see in the picture, but there is a mix of something green running through it.
This is a beautiful blue rock, but a bit too big for the backpack. Its almost like a Chrysocolla or Turquoise color. Rock is not cleaned off at all or wet in picture.
Snack while you hike if you dare. Notice the one on guard?
There was green and blue all over the place! Here is an example of some green nodules forming in the Breccia.
The bigger one in my hand appears to be an agate nodule. See the little green one still sticking in the rock?
OOOOOOO! That bigger nodule in the last pic was cut open.
Amazing blue banded agate taking on a star shape the way Dan cut it.
Here is one of the green nodule broken still in the host rock.
Almost looks like a green M&M with a dark chocolate center. Ok, so I have chocolate on the brain.
Maybe Goethite? Will have to get the loop out and take a closer look.
The bottom of this waterfall sure looks like a great place to have a seat and take a break.
What a great way to cool off at the end of the day!
Nice waterfall pic honey, what a great spot to take a cool down! Literally Brrrrr, chilly water!
Here is that agate nodule pictured above chopped in half then polished. Cute lil' buggar, think we'll have to see if there could be more of these out there. Like that blue!
I definately want to find more of those agate nodules!
Here is a close up of one I found with different little nodules still in the rock.
No telling what you will find while out exploring! Seems every area we go, it offers something cool and different, including its scenery.
Ever feel like you were being watched, when it was just you and the rocks around?
This was an added rock bonus. I didnt see it worth keeping, but my 9 year old saw it as the find of the day.
Lets see those finds everyone! I know we arent the only ones out enjoying this great land of ours.
Cool Beans! That photo above the snakeskin looks like a petrified old car hiding behing a rock.
Too cool!
Thanks d.
faaus
Good to hear from you Larry! Maybe one of the old "Flintstones" original models, - the stone tires?
Things that make you go.....hmmmmm.
This rock looks like a big mushroom, but those would have to be some small bats to leave that Guana under the cap.
Lets just call this one shelter from the storm.
Cool pics honey. That last one definately looks like a mushroom.....extra large size.
Here's a small fluorite we found while out doing some new area research around Colorado. Very small but good shape and quite clear....possibly a tint of blue and a small dark inclusion. We weren't expecting to find one of these that day, but we aren't complainin'.
Hopefully everyone is finding some nifty stuff this season so far. Still some great weather left yet, get out there for an adventure soon.
mmmmm Fluorite! There are so many amazing places in Colorado for finding goodies
Dont know what it is about this area, but I sure get a good feeling about finding nice goodies.
Here is a cool Star Quartz. We found a bunch of these! Is it just me, or does anyone else see the heart in the center?
Dan decided to cut one in half since we had several to see what was inside. Dont worry, I saved it and polished out the backside. Sure is pretty stuff!
No telling what your going to find when your out there looking.
Here is a cool piece. This stuff was all over the place. Its pretty hard stuff too!
Some kind of Chert or Jasper? Sure is pretty.
This is a cool little nodule. The whole thing twinkles in the sun.
You can see by the broken edge that its 2 solid layers of quartz crystals.
I was thinking this one might make a nice heart.
They are calling for snow this weekend, but none so far where we are digging!
Have a great weekend everyone, and stay safe out there.
Weather was a bit scary looking for snow, but it blew right past. Here is a little mushroom that was hiding out in the rocks.
This mushroom is a bit smaller than the rock mushroom above. This one is as small as a dime.
Guess this little mushroom gets to grow for a bit longer. What a fantastic way to enjoy the fresh air in the great outdoors!
Little d, I think you stumbled upon a leprechaun's golf ball! He was just getting ready to tee-off when he heard you crunching along and had to hide. Look around the area for his bag of gold!
Still love this site and the great posts...(even Scottinski's - LOL!)
You folks are the greatest!
Heavy Pans,
faaus
Wow! Think we found another sweet agate spot. In some places here in Colorado, the agate is strewn all over the ground. Here is a cool piece that has great banding!
Top view...
Side view...
The search continues..............But I wasnt expecting to make a find in the glove box of the truck.
Here is a beautiful smokey Quartz with little purple Fluorites on it. Guess it was hiding from us from our last crystal dig.
Its such a rush when you hit a sweet pocket filled with crystal goodies by the handfull, no telling at the end of the day where one has stashed them all. Flats in the back of the truck, backpack filled, your pockets filled with little finds, buckets etc.
I scratched off some of the dried coating with my fingernail so you could see the nice dark smokey.
Amazing how it lasted in the glovebox without cracking the Fluorites. Guess the temp changes were gradual and not too quick.....whew!
It is amazing that the flourite wasn't damaged while bouncing about the glove box. Nice specimen!
No bouncing!! It was wrapped in a bit of TP, and placed to the back.
It sure is a pretty one, and will clean up nicely. The other side also has Fluorites. Its tip is perfect, including 3 small Fluorite faces not seen in that pic. Dan recognized it right away. He said it was from the Spring Fling in 08'.
Poor Smokey. Im going to have to file charges against Dan for crystal neglect!!
Dan, you must have went strait to your secret hole as soon as we left that day. I don't remember seeing that perticular piece.
Crystal neglect? Nope, just stashed it away from the fluorite hoardin' wife o mine! Then completely forgot about it. Just kiddin', but I did forget about it. Good thing it was packed in some soft tp.
That wasn't from the holes you guys dug that day Jim. Remember the truck full of finds from the claim owners digs that week? That was a piece from their digs that was a gift to me for having the dig with you guys at his claim.
It's a sweet little piece too, can't see it in that picture but the broken looking end is actually well terminated in several tips around the outer rim and I'm betting that once cleaned the entire end may show a "healed or mended" quartz meaning the whole surface will have tips across the face in the same orientation.
Some days the search continues in the oddest places!
Yea that day will be well remembered. A whole pickup bed full of killer material . We had such a great time that week. Thanks Dan and Denise for having us out. I hope to do it again some day! And thanks goes out to Quentin for allowing us on his claim.It was truely a ''Dreamtime''.
Were glad you had fun Jim. Definately looks like you all had a blast that day!
Looks like Barbara was having fun also. Sure is a grip she has on that large smokey with a big smile on her face,
and by the looks of Quentins hair, he definately had a funfilled day down in the hole.
Here is something else you may have seen on the pegmatites while there digging Jim.
Many people mistake them as fossils, but they are not.
The ones found at the Dreamtime are much smaller examples. I found this one a few days ago at a different location in Colorado. Some we saw were 4" long. The F.O.V. in this picture is about 2".
Lets see who has their thinking caps on...... Who can tell me what causes this crystal formation?
Pseudo-morphs. Could be a variety of minerals, but looking at the staining present I'd say manganese, iron or tin.
It is a pseudopolymorph. It's a dendrite formed from Romanechite.
We added more information on that picture as the http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2816 for discussions.
Here is a picture of some Romanechite found in the same area. I titled this pic the "Black Blob".
Descriptive I was thinking.
Found these cool ice crystals, but they have this dirt coating.
Any cleaning tips anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
Very carefully Denise . Very carefully.
id use my snow plow wide open to clean that up!haha
In time the ice crystals deal with themselves, revealing even better goodies to wonder about cleaning.
Weather has been fantastic, so we decided to go for a hike and enjoy the day. Leave it to us to find the really cool spots to stop and take a break. This is a large Rhiolite Chalcedony Outcroping where we stopped for a bit. Bubbles everywhere!
Strange......... .......I cant seem to find them now Carl.
With the weather being so nice, what better time or place to search for some gold. Found some too.
Here is a picture of Dan getting busy.
wouldnt you just love to have a home just up that ridge!
Here is a really cool spot, but NOT one you would want to visit right now.
We will just nick name this place "Rattle snake hell"....er I mean hill. Be careful out there everyone. Your not the only ones out enjoying this great land of ours.
Just wandering around after a rain always reveals something. Here are a few cool ones from the yard. I really want to find more of that black bubbly agate.
Nice! I see at least one piece of Unakite, purty.
What is the dimpled black piece on the far right?
Also.... the specimen on top that is beige or tan colored... is that dino?
That dimpled black piece is the black bytroidal agate I want to see more of. Looks jet black but when you hold it up to the light, it translucent and looks greyish white. Would make some killer guitar picks...especially with the bytroidal influence!
That brownish piece is not Dino bone...I wish. I'm thinking also an agate or Jasper. The one piece even has a spot that shows white bands where it was broke. The darker piece at the bottom is similar stuff just a deeper brown. That one even has a little heart hole in it. I will have to do a hardness test to a piece and maybe even slice some to see whats inside.
Here is a clear agate nodule that we also found, almost looked like a petrified walnut.
How do you identify it as an agate nodule? I would've walked right past that one not knowing.
You would have definately spotted this one. It stood out like a sore thumb! One way I could tell it was an agate nodule was by the dimples in the stone.
Right Pat, that picture was taken from that outing location. Dan's ankle was sore for several months after twisting it trying to race after your hat in the water. Never did find it so the search for that continues.......
Here is another agate nodule Timmy found. This one has a broken edge though but still shows the dimples as the first one.
Excellent info Dan, thanks!
I will have a keener eye now.
Dan added a pdf about the "Volcanoes Of Colorado" that also has some great information regarding that very thing......especially starting on page 10. I recommend reading it all though to understand the big picture, it's great information! Check it out!
http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2772
Here is a closer look at the 2 pieces that I was holding in my hand in the picture on the last page.
Can you see some of the indicators that makes it worth picting up that I see?
Here is a really cool piece of Agate that Timmy found while digging. I did a hardness test with a steel knife on it and it's harder than a 6 on the hardness scale.
We will be looking for more of this stuff, it will make some great cabachons or sculptings.
Nine one Timmy!!!
I need to come in here and correct myself because I want to make sure the information I'm giving you is correct.
When doing the hardness test I used a pocket knife blade which has the hardness of 5.5. It is steel but it is not as hard as the tempered steel of a steel file which is 7.5 on the scale. I also tested it with a steel file and still no scratch making it harder than 7.5 on the scale.
Here are more cool Fulgurites Tim found in his dig hole. The one looks like Barney. Sweet finds Tim!
Lots of lightnig making more here lately too......
Weather has been great here, was 78 yesterday. Here are some things that Tim found recently. First picture is of some Fulgurites that he has been looking for. Good job Tim, those are nice ones. While he was digging and classifying he found a spot riddled with bones. Of course the paleontologist in him kicked in. He sat there for hours sorting through the bones and trying to place them together to find out what it was.
Was a fantastic day out enjoying this nice weather!
Now here is a good sign that Thundereggs are close!!
Here is a cool piece of petrified wood Tim found. Stuff would make fantastic cabachons!!
Love the black with red in it.....Sweet find Tim! We will definately be looking for more of this stuff.
Here is a great example of Colorado botryoidal agate found recently. The piece looks black but when help up to the sunlight shows translucent brown. I have made some of my best looking guitar picks from this stuff!!
Bubbles bubbles bubbles!!!!
Love em'!!
Here is a cool one but who would pick it up looking like this? ME!! Picture of the underside......
Really cool pieces. I've never seen Petrified Wood like that. That last one is interesting too.... when I fully enlarged it for a closer look it possibly has some Olivine on the left side?
Any chance that could be Tektite?
I wish it was a Tektite but it's not. More botryoidal agate but this piece has more to it....possibly Jasper? Here is a picture of the other side.
Bubbles bubbles bubbles!!!
Here is a cool piece of Epidote quartz mix. It shows signs of the dark brown agate found in the San Luis Valley. Is even sporting a little quartz pocket.
Here is a piece of a dark brown Agate seam found in the San Luis Valley. Stuff is really cool when cut thin. It shows either big bubbles or littler bubbles but all have shadows in the bubbles when moved like there is water inside. This piece looks to have big bubbles looking at the upper side. I think this stuff has made some of my best looking stone guitar picks!
This is a pretty cool Agate! You can see the druzy layer at the top running through it. Can see by the lower half of the Agate where the druzy band blends with the other layers.
Do you see it?
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