Hey! My name is Riley! I'm new here and probably posting in the wrong section!!! But! There is a but! I do it with good intention! I'm 16 and live in loveland colorado, and honestly I have no idea where to start! I want to learn to prospect for crystals and gem type things! I already know some about gold. So where do I start? What should I know!? Any thing helps :)

Hi Riley and welcome to CP!
Make yourself at home here and search our archives, we have a LOT of information here for you.
I think a good starting point is to learn the basic legal aspects of prospecting. I believe that is most important for sure.
From there.... you can start deciding what you want to target and planning trips! We're here to help.

Hi Riley and welcome to the CP forums! Great advice that Swizz gave you. Lots of information so "dig right in". You will also find pinned topics at the top of each section of the forums that are very helpful. Make yourself at home around the website and forums, post up any questions you may have along the way. Knowledge is power and the more you know the better time you will have once you're ready to get out there!

So how do claims work?! I'm 16 and couldn't buy a claim. Could I get a permit to search on one? Or how does all this work. I was reading at it seems I don't need a permit to go prospect and dig for minerals as long as I don't sell them, witch I won't. But I can't just walk on some land and dig... Right? Sorry for asking probably already asked questions! I'm eager and on a iPhone and there is just too much info to dig threw on suck a small device! Thanks guys!

You'll need to learn how to research land status first. It's not terribly difficult but you'd have to commit to learning this before doing anything else.
To start you'll want to know if the land you want to prospect is: Public, Private, BLM Managed, NFS Managed, Open Space, Park, State Trust, County, City, or other.... etc.
There is a ton of archived information on our site so it's not necessary to walk you through every step of land status research in this thread. When you have some time (and access to a pc rather than a smartphone) run our Search function. It's all here!

As always, Swizz has the absolute, best, first step in this process. Not as glorious as the actual digging for gold/gems, BUT a necessary first step to avoid getting into trouble and to knowing where you can go and knowing the laws involved with what your doing. if you know the laws invoved, youll be less bothered by some wacoenviromentalist or just some nosy do gooder wanting you to go away!!

Hello Riley

My name is dan and I am in the Loveland area and am looking for someone or a group to go out rockhounding together contact me if interested in rockhounding or anythingthat has to do with minerals and gems. My Email is swflman1999@comcast.net

dan

Welcome to the forum!
Make sure to go to your local blm office and purchase. A topography map for the area you are interested un. You should be able to use a computer at your local library for free. You need to learn how to read said topography map and jot down the township info. Then get real intimate with the LR2000 system on www.blm.gov. it's quite a bit of work, but it will keep your butt out of serious problems.

There is plenty of open public land to rockhound/prospect in. Get to know the laws and practice! If you locate an area you would like to stake a claim, maybe ask a parent to cosign on the contract. Just a thought! Good luck and happy hunting!

Jessie