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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ Gem and Mineral Specimen Finds or Processes _ Sapphires

Posted by: Montana Bob Jul 30 2018, 09:24 PM

Greetings from Montana!
We have a mountain range here called The Sapphires. I imagine it got its name from the crazy amount of sapphires that can be found.
Using my trusty classifier and a window screen, I can break down my material into both 1/4" size gravel and sand.
Currently I have half of a 5 gallon bucket to go through. There are all kinds of chips and things that look really pretty and clear when wet and turn white when dry. Some are amber, most are some form of clear.
Currently I have 9 grams of sapphire and related material. Related as there could be garnets in there. So How do I find out the quality of my finds? Gemologist or assayer?
What do I do with a half pound or so of itty bitty sapphires? If I had a water wheel I could get (potentially) a cup of clear glass sand down to dust sized particles.
Is there an industrial use for sapphires? I am hoping to find one about the size of a duck egg, baring that, a gem the size of my pinky nail would be great! Most are a little bit bigger than a grain of sand.
I have a friend that has a rock tumbler. Would it be worth while to ask her to run this material through the finest medium she has and polish it up?
Then what do I do with them?
Thanks in advance!

Posted by: leonard Jul 31 2018, 12:10 PM

Here's a link to a video we made a few years back on sapphire panning.

Leonard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEmRpGuVw5Y

Posted by: Montana Bob Jul 31 2018, 09:00 PM

QUOTE (leonard @ Jul 31 2018, 01:10 PM)

Here's a link to a video we made a few years back on sapphire panning.

Leonard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEmRpGuVw5Y

LMAO, I was across the river from there!
I know how to find them, just not to do with them. The video doesn't really say...

Posted by: leonard Aug 1 2018, 08:51 AM

Ed sent 2 of his larger ones in and had them heat treated and faceted. They made a nice set of small ear rings. They took care of it at Gem Mountain.
Leonard

Posted by: Montana Bob Aug 1 2018, 06:18 PM

QUOTE (leonard @ Aug 1 2018, 09:51 AM)

Ed sent 2 of his larger ones in and had them heat treated and faceted. They made a nice set of small ear rings. They took care of it at Gem Mountain.
Leonard

So a half pound or so of 1/4 carat sapphires aren't worth anything?

Posted by: GeoMatt Sep 5 2018, 10:22 PM

QUOTE (Montana Bob @ Aug 1 2018, 07:18 PM)

So a half pound or so of 1/4 carat sapphires aren't worth anything?

Nope. Not really. By the time they are cut they are also way less than 1/4 carat anyways.

Posted by: Coalbunny Jan 10 2020, 06:30 AM

Bob, I'm rebuilding my rock collection, so I might be able to buy some off you if the price is right....