Im new to this forum and just seeing if anyone is interested to go out looking for gems and possibly showing me some basics. Such as what are the signs to look for, for a successful trip. I've went out a few times but have no idea what im doing really or what to actually look for, lol. Im free this weekend if possible. Or maybe just some quick tips on here would be nice.

Even with the nice weather, it is the off season for most rockhounds, with the good stuff usually being at elevation. We may be putting together a club member outing in the next few weeks to head to an area in the south end of the state where the weather is a little more favorable

Ahh soo there is a sweet spot elevation? I read something at being around 8000-8500 is that true?

Around the Pike's Peak area I have indeed found 8k' to be a good elevation, whether by science or chance lol

Anyone had any luck finding anything in the Golden Gate Canyon area, like well anything within a 2 hour drive west of Denver? Also I keep seeing things about quartz and feldspar being good indicators to for good finds. Is that true? And how to tell those two apart? Because I keep looking at pictures. And though quartz from what I see can be sharp and crystal looking I also seen pictures where is look very similar to feldspar (which is what I think I keep seeing everywhere) because its very cloudy. And from what ive read quartz is a little more clear.

Quartz can be clear, smoky, rose, cloudy, milky... It is one of the most common minerals in earth.

Feldspar is usually cream colored or redish.

Both good indicator minerals, either in their own right or near other valuable stuff. But being so prevelant, more often than not, it won't mean anything. Research areas that historically produce and focus on them.

Hello,

I am a Canadian geoscientist interested in prospecting and exploration in Colorado.

I am wondering if I need to be registered to prospect in Colorado, and whether there
might be any Club members whom we could hire to help with staking Claims, etc.

I am also trying to find out about mineral rights ownership on private lands as many
of the prospects I have identified are on private lands.

Please contact me if you can help with my questions or interested in this kind of work.

Thank you,

Don W. Hryhor

Canadian Wildcat Corporation
PO Box 636 Station M
Calgary, AB T2P 2J3
Phone: (403) 686-1000

I'd be glad to help ya with any info I have. There is no registry to prospect here and some mineral rights are private owned. You would need permission to prospect anything on private property of course and some might think you were crazy for asking. You might get alot of no's or strange looks.
This club is a great tool for the claim staking info you'll need to file. Good luck and welcome.