RJ-Visiting my parents just north of the Charlotte area from Virginia Beach (how funny you were either going to visit my parents’ area or mine!) we plan on going ‘mining’ tomorrow. Thanks for the great tips. I hear that creeking is the best bet, so we’ll give it a shot and let you know the results!

I have never hunted for emerald and found your article very interesting. I have hunted for quartz crystals and found some nice ones here in Arizona. We also have an opal mine that I would like to visit. My friend in NC told me that you guys have a lot of gold and black sand near some of the old mining areas in NC. He was getting some good gold and quartz specimens where he lives.
I have often wondered if you guys ever find any Herkimer diamonds as far south as you are. I have been to one area in NC were I have found some nice big garnets and some uranium samples but it was a long time ago and I am having a hard time remembering the name of the place. The name ended in Pines that’s all that I can recall. If any of you come out to Arizona there are beautiful quartz crystals out on the back road North of Lake Pleasant. You have to stop and look down slope on some of the twisty winding roads on the way to Crown King but the trip is worth it

There are three main activities one may do:

Digging – $18 total (includes all activities) plus $10 deposit (get $8 back when you return the equipment). Having tried this, I would personally not advise going with this activity, unless you know your geology. You get a long handled shovel, and 5 Gallon bucket and given some simple instructions to get to the start of the dig sites. It’s about 400 – 600 yards from the main area which seemed pretty close….with an empty bucket and high spirits. Once in the area, you have your choice of spots. It seems ideal for you to be able to dig up “the big one”, but there are no staff in that section that I could see, so you’re really on your own. I approached a fellow that looked quite minerly (read he had a pickaxe and miner hat, suspenders, and dirt from head to foot), and he muttered that he has been in the area quite some time, but was pretty vague about advice. My thought – go really deep into the brush, and find an unclaimed spot, so I walked another 1/2 to 3/4 miles. Once there I began to dig through the clay soil. My initial approach was to sift through the dirt and just put in rocks (both large and small), but after spending a laborious half hour without filling even the bottom, I gave that plan up. I settled for filling with loose dirt….. great plan, except for the walk back . A very tired, dirty, sweaty, exhaustive mess later, and I’m back to the general area. As I’m turning my shovel back in, 2 or three equally tired, dirty, sweaty, exhaustive gentlemen said that they found 1 small stone in the 3 buckets they had brought back, and wished me luck.

Creek walking – $13 (includes sluicing) – $5 equipment rental, $4 back when you return the equipment. Get to walk about the creek bed. Didn’t do this, as I was drained by my “mining” efforts. Talked to a couple of people that said they had some success on some smaller stones.

Sluicing – $5 – The main event. They have three sets of benches in behind covered water tables with box sieves. You get a complimentary bucket filled with dirt (1 Gallon) and potential for gems. My big chances from mining? Nothing . My wife and I got started on the compliemntary buckets. We were rewarded with few pieces of jade, and quartz, and other smaller stones!! Very much encouraged, we had the option to buy extra buckets:
$2 – The complimentary bucket
$5 – Ruby’s and Sapphires
$10 – Super Bucket
and up through $100 Gem Cutter special.

The wife and I spent an extra $24 (2 complimentary, 2 Ruby, 1 Super bucket), and had a tremendous amount of luck! We had an excellent time sifting through sand, getting really muddy, and finding pretty rocks. Many various gems, which we’re still trying to identify, but a ruby the size of a large olive pit!! A very friendly retired couple from Michigan were beside us, and were rock hounds. They had a bit more disposable income than we, and were finding more success than we were with the $50 buckets. As we’re chatting and splashing around, the Gentleman found a ruby almost the size of a golf ball!!

All in all, I would absolutely recommend this activity for all ages. We will be going back, but now that I’ve had my “experience” as a miner, I’m good to go. We will definitely bring more cash, they obviously want you to spend more money and there are more gems in the higher priced buckets. From our observations the best value for money spent was the $50 buckets but we were happy with the gems we brought back. Well worth the trip for a unique experience!!

If somebody will go back to the same place or area that is a good sign.

Herkimer, NY. thats just off I-90. Myself being from MA.
It is kind of in my back yard.
If your ever in MA. I recommend checking the Harvard museum of natural history in cambridge they have a great collection of minerals.
Just happened to stumble across it looking for something to do with the family on a weekend.

thanks R.J.
& GOOD HUNTING!

- SC

I may doing some gemstone hunting next time I get out to the Vegas/Pahrump area which will probably be in December.

I am glad you posted this and
shared you trip findings.
question?
would you do it again?

I was also planning a vegas trip to check out some black opal.

my daughter and i are begineer rock hounds.
the wife would rather go shopping.

thanks for your input
much appreciated!!!

SC