Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding

[LoriDee]

I have been prospecting in Colorado and here in the Black Hills, SD since about 2010. I also do metal detecting, so maybe it is a treasure-hunting thing. I mostly use metal detectors as a means to find gold. If you are interested in gold prospecting, I have several articles I have written as "How-Tos" as well as a photo album on my personal website. You can find that link in my profile.

In the process of shoveling gravel in a creek, I find some interesting rocks that I bring home with me. I love Rose Quartz. It is the South Dakota State Mineral, and it's PINK! I also hunt for the rare Fairburn Agate, which is the South Dakota State Gemstone. Maybe I have those two backward.

In the winter when creeks are frozen over or the water is about 33 degrees F, I stay indoors and do research. In the summer I am out mining gold or picking up rocks.

I just ordered my second 2-barrel rock tumbler for polishing rocks and I am learning how to do wire wrap jewelry with them. I have found that I enjoy doing this and I can do it indoors with no heavy lifting involved... until I "need" another bucket of rocks.

Here is an example of what I am doing:

Rough Stones to Jewelry

[Northern Star Girl]

@LoriDee
Dear Lori:
Thank you for posting and sharing your experiences with Gold Prospecting and
Rock Hounding. 
The description of your endeavors in those task is very interesting
for sure.  I am looking forward to your future postings regarding these subjects.

I followed the picture link that you had posted....  beautiful work that you
have done turning rocks (rough stones) into very pretty jewelry.
          Click Link-->  Rough Stones to Jewelry

Again, thank you for sharing.
HUGS, Danielle

[Yvanektara]

My grandfather taught me lapidary when I was a child and still have a trim saw, a cabbing wheel, and hand tools. My grandfather was a rock hound specializing in fire agate back when the desert was largely open. Unfortunately, where I live today, all the good sites have either been claimed by commercial developers or otherwise closed off to the public. I did have an Afghan supplier of lapis lazuli, but that source is no longer available to me. I've since lost interest in pursuing it anymore.

[Gina P]

Wow, very nice work, Lori. I was going to say I really like .... but they are all so beautiful.
Gina

[ChrissyRyan]

It appears the largest gold pan is in Quesnel, British Columbia.

Chrissy