Have you ever mined for precious gems or semi-precious?

I'm hoping to go to the "Peacock Opal mine" Jan. or Feb. In Nevada while the weather is still cool. ( The Opal is my favorite gemstone) This site gives you the option of either digging through the trailings where other miners have left huge pilings and have overlooked smaller gemstones, this is easier for someone like me with a bad back.

I might spend a little time digging part of an un-touched bank for a little higher fee.

I have done prehistoric fossel digs in Wyo. from an earth bank above Lake Alcova found these squid-like specimens that go back to the Jurassic period. The MOST fun I've ever had.

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Bushranger · 70-79, M

Shame you're not in Australia. Over here we can noodle for free.

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Grateful4you · M

@Bushranger You never know. One of my best buds here used to be Perth Surfer but I never see him anymore. Maybe I should say "Mate" more often and manifest my way to "down under" lol. Your country is beautiful.

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@Grateful4you Looks like Perth Surfer might be taking a break. Hope he's OK, he's a top bloke.

Grateful4you · M

@Bushranger Yup, I may not find a lot of gems out in nature but I sure find them here. All my long time friends are quality people. If you see him please send my best wishes. Thanks bud.

Ynotisay · M

I know it's legal and a lot of people do it. I have no problem with that. There's some crazy cool things out there. So I totally get rock hounds. But as someone who spends a lot of time in the wilderness I've never taken a thing. Although a fossil from the Jurassic period might be hard to pass up. I know it's nonsense but I personally subscribe to "taking" as bad mojo. And as I've yet to have a legit life or death situation out there, I need to continue with my strategy and hope the Nature Gods keep looking out for me. But then again, maybe the Nature Gods are looking out for you and leading you to something awesome. There's no book on it so...anyone's guess. :)

caPnAhab · 26-30, M

I've gone for it before. Most I ever found were some crystals of druzy agate

Grateful4you · M

@caPnAhab Agates are another great mineral trophy!...I just resent the mass strip mining of quartz crystals in Ark. since they have become so popular in recent years. The "Peacock" won't allow any kind of machinery for mass harvesting.

caPnAhab · 26-30, M

@Grateful4you I guess it makes sense, quartz being as common as it is

Grateful4you · M

@caPnAhab It is THE most sommon gemstone on our planet....but at the rate it's being marketed

walabby · 70-79, M

Come to Coober Pedy in Australia. Mucho opal there!

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walabby · 70-79, M

@Grateful4you Lightning Ridge sounds more like your style then.. :)

walabby · 70-79, M

@KiwiBird It's probably flooded atm, but yeah, can get scintillatingly hot in summer!

KiwiBird · 36-40, F

@walabby Most of the dugouts are on hillsides and no flooding there atm.

HeavenBesideYou · 56-60, F

I’ve been a few times, searching for garnets. Also sapphires and rubies at a mine where they pull out the dirt to go through. It’s fun, but hard on my old bones.