Arkansas diamonds

[vibes]

I was sent a "test"...it consisted of a bag of gravel from the Crater Of Diamonds State Park...a certain number of rough diamonds were placed in the gravel. The gravel had not been searched so the total number of diamonds was unknown.

I found 17...there were 11 placed in the gravel.

What a fun way to learn how to differentiate between crystal quartz and a diamond.

[vibes]

huh, some of the pics didn't load

[marinedad]

thats neat, i didn't know they did that.

[sniffer]

ever since I saw that place on tv, I've wanted to go there and find a diamond and listen to the horn blow

[vibes]

marinedad, no they don't do that, well, not the Crater of Diamonds park officials/employees. This bag was mailed to me from legendary diamond miner Charles Newman....he's my new diamond hunting buddy/friend. Sorry for any confusion.

[Tuberale]

Diamonds have been found in many states of the US, especially on the west coast.

[bill-USA]

Did you use the same techniques and tools you used while at the park?

That was awfully nice of Charles. Congrats on a good hunt!

How deep's the snow?

[vibes]

Did you use the same techniques and tools you used while at the park?

That was awfully nice of Charles. Congrats on a good hunt!

How deep's the snow?

No, this process included an overhead light, magnifying glass and PURE patience! No buckets to process...this was the centers of a sarucca pile

Snow is GONE! We have temps in the 50s, right now anyway...not going to last long much to my chagrin!

Be safe in your travels...and I'm glad you got to meet Charles...he's hoot, or what?!

[marinedad]

vibes, you are fortunate to have him as a mentor and friend.

[vibes]

vibes, you are fortunate to have him as a mentor and friend.

I cherish my friendship with Charles! It's so fun to look back and see the process unfold. See, I created a Facebook fan page for friends and family to follow my adventure (my first visit to the diamond mine), as I had NO idea where i was headed, other than below the freeze line...then game on.
If you're at all interested in how it unfolded, check out: Treasure Travels With Tori on FB

HH!

[St. Jerome]

I found some crystals in a rock that seamed like diamonds and had them tested. They are. and now Im trying to obtain mineral rites. I would love to share with some people that know about diamond prospecting. I have located 8 other kimberlites since. Two are gem bearing. The others are are waiting for my inspection. One has a spring in the middle and some odd ventlike spots that look like ash. I am going there soon. I have a lot of questions. One is how to market raw diamonds. I will have some to post hopefully in a couple weeks. Im in the desert.

[Eu_citzen]

Jerome, ask best you can here! We'll try to help ya!

[St. Jerome]

if the diamond is 3mm raw is it worth faceting even if it is solid with no inclusions?

[Eu_citzen]

Most likely not, unless it got some unusual colour.
3 mm is on the lower end I think, however as for pricing I'd really contact a pro.

Small 1 mm diamonds (white) go for around 7 USD each, or that's what I paid last time.
The loss when faceting is quite large, in coloured gemstones usually 25% of the original weight will be intact. (roughly)
I'm not exactly sure how much they can save when cutting a diamond, depends on shape among other.

[vibes]

I found some crystals in a rock that seamed like diamonds and had them tested. They are. and now Im trying to obtain mineral rites. I would love to share with some people that know about diamond prospecting. I have located 8 other kimberlites since. Two are gem bearing. The others are are waiting for my inspection. One has a spring in the middle and some odd ventlike spots that look like ash. I am going there soon. I have a lot of questions. One is how to market raw diamonds. I will have some to post hopefully in a couple weeks. Im in the desert.

I'm not sure where you're located as far as to direct you to a diamond buyer...but you can kinda expect approx. 5-10 US dollars a point...that's a decent guide. Depends on the clarity and color as to whether your finds will be on the high or low side of the scale.

can't wait to see your photos!

HH,
Tori

[bookcliff]

Besides a diamond what is the most valuable gems found in Kimberlites?
Nick

[Eu_citzen]

Good question!

Personally I believe Enstatite to be up there in that case of those I know. More a collectors stone though.

I know garnets & chromium diopside have been found in kimberlites also.
Dunno if colour change/shift garnets have been found in Kimberlites. If they have they are also up there.

[bookcliff]

I hadn't heard of enstatite so I searched it and found it comes in meteorites and volcanoes as well as Kimberlites. I'll just have to watch for anything that looks like a gem or a crystal.
Nick

[Eu_citzen]

Jupp, not such a bad idea.
Usually if I find something odd I mark the area with something and take a sample home to study and ID it.