General Discussions => Hobbies => Topic started by: Lori Dee on March 03, 2024, 07:23:58 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: Lori Dee on March 03, 2024, 07:23:58 PM
Post by: Lori Dee on March 03, 2024, 07:23:58 PM
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)
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)
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: Northern Star Girl on March 06, 2024, 01:03:24 PM
Post by: Northern Star Girl on March 06, 2024, 01:03:24 PM
@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
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
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: Yvanektara on March 21, 2024, 05:07:42 AM
Post by: Yvanektara on March 21, 2024, 05:07:42 AM
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.
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: Gina P on March 21, 2024, 05:37:54 AM
Post by: Gina P on March 21, 2024, 05:37:54 AM
Wow, very nice work, Lori. I was going to say I really like .... but they are all so beautiful.
Gina
Gina
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: ChrissyRyan on March 23, 2024, 05:21:50 PM
Post by: ChrissyRyan on March 23, 2024, 05:21:50 PM
It appears the largest gold pan is in Quesnel, British Columbia.
Chrissy
Chrissy
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: Devlyn on August 05, 2025, 12:02:39 PM
Post by: Devlyn on August 05, 2025, 12:02:39 PM
I think I found Lori's prospecting rig. ;D
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 12:08:46 PM
Post by: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 12:08:46 PM
Quote from: Devlyn on August 05, 2025, 12:02:39 PMI think I found Lori's prospecting rig. ;D
I love it! :laugh:
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 06:49:20 PM
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 06:49:20 PM
Heavy duty machinery.
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 07:05:14 PM
Post by: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 07:05:14 PM
Quote from: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 06:49:20 PMHeavy duty machinery.
And is fully capable of dispatching claim-jumpers!
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 09:00:51 PM
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 09:00:51 PM
Quote from: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 07:05:14 PMAnd is fully capable of dispatching claim-jumpers!
You bet!
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 10:25:18 PM
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 10:25:18 PM
Lori,
Have you looked for any gold in the past few weeks?
Chrissy
Have you looked for any gold in the past few weeks?
Chrissy
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 10:55:37 PM
Post by: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 10:55:37 PM
Quote from: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 10:25:18 PMLori,
Have you looked for any gold in the past few weeks?
Chrissy
No, I have been unpacking. I am almost settled in. I have a repair tech coming tomorrow to do a warranty repair on my new loveseat. I almost have my workroom finished, but I will need to get some supplies.
Right now, we are under a heat wave. Temps 100 - 103+ this week and could break a record. So I stay indoors as much as possible.
When the weather cools down, I plan to do some scouting. I have four locations that I have researched, but I need to put boots on the ground and look at the river to see how the water is flowing. If it looks good, I will do some sample panning and figure out where to go from there.
I'm from Northern Colorado, so I am not very familiar with the geology down here in the south of the state. There are some places that I want to go back to up north, but that may not happen until next summer. In the meantime, I spend my winters reading geology maps, old mining journals, newspapers, and researching abandoned gold claims. Then I can form a plan for the following summer.
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 11:02:05 PM
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 11:02:05 PM
Gosh, brand new furniture with a flaw. Ugh! I am glad they are fixing it.
Perhaps an extended warranty may be worth the money on some of your furniture, esp. if an item's price was significant.
Perhaps an extended warranty may be worth the money on some of your furniture, esp. if an item's price was significant.
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 11:10:44 PM
Post by: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 11:10:44 PM
Quote from: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 11:02:05 PMGosh, brand new furniture with a flaw. Ugh! I am glad they are fixing it.
Perhaps an extended warranty may be worth the money on some of your furniture, esp. if an item's price was significant.
LaZboy came with a one-year warranty. I noticed the problem on Day Two.
I had bought a two-year extended warranty and a five-year protection plan that covers the fabric. That covers rips or tears, seam separations, unusual wear, and even stains. I like that if I spill my coffee and stain the fabric, they will send someone out to clean it.
They gave me a free gift as part of the Extended Warranty. It has a general-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, upholstery cleaner, and fabric protection spray. When I run out, anytime in the next two years, I just go back to the store with the empty bottle and they will give me a full one to replace it. I think that's a fair deal. ;D
Title: Re: Gold Prospecting and Rock Hounding
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 11:17:21 PM
Post by: ChrissyRyan on August 05, 2025, 11:17:21 PM
Quote from: Lori Dee on August 05, 2025, 11:10:44 PMLaZboy came with a one-year warranty. I noticed the problem on Day Two.
I had bought a two-year extended warranty and a five-year protection plan that covers the fabric. That covers rips or tears, seam separations, unusual wear, and even stains. I like that if I spill my coffee and stain the fabric, they will send someone out to clean it.
They gave me a free gift as part of the Extended Warranty. It has a general-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, upholstery cleaner, and fabric protection spray. When I run out, anytime in the next two years, I just go back to the store with the empty bottle and they will give me a full one to replace it. I think that's a fair deal. ;D
Sounds like a practical plan for your furniture. Better than a free oil changes when you buy a car from a dealer as each time you take it in they seem to find some service related thing they try to sell you. I datestamp most of my filters and know whenever any expendable was replaced. I keep my service records in an organized fashion and a spreadsheet.
This woman does not want to be taken advantage of.