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 (https://imgur.com/a/rX0k4Ho)
@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 (https://imgur.com/a/rX0k4Ho)
Again, thank you for sharing.
HUGS, Danielle
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.
Wow, very nice work, Lori. I was going to say I really like .... but they are all so beautiful.
Gina
It appears the largest gold pan is in Quesnel, British Columbia.
Chrissy