winter rockhounding

[chevyman75]

Do any of you rockhound in the winter and look for gems and such?

 

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[austin]

We really don't have much of a winter, so yes, I used to do that a great deal. Nice not to sweat. Beats summer, not many people around, not many snakes...

 

[Brian T. Booth]

Do any of you rockhound in the winter and look for gems and such?

On some of the warmer days. But the best time to rock hunt is when you have the first week of warm constant temperature. If you are looking for specimens at a outcrop the frost wedging brings rock to the surface.

 

[chevyman75]

Ok and thanks. Just didnt know who all went in winter.

 

[rockhoundrich]

Here in the southern California deserts, winter is the best time for rockhounding, in the summer 100+ temps make for dangerous conditions

 

[JLeonhardy]

I did a two week rock hunting run away from the Bay Area over the Holly Daze. A little Tourmaline from a pre-xmas fee dig east of San Diego (Himalaya Mine) and some goodies from a nice vein of Fluorite in Eastern AZ

 

[Brian T. Booth]

I did a two week rock hunting run away from the Bay Area over the Holly Daze. A little Tourmaline from a pre-xmas fee dig east of San Diego (Himalaya Mine) and some goodies from a nice vein of Fluorite in Eastern AZ

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=926830"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=926831"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=926832"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=926833"/>

You guys are really making me miss all the rockhounding I used to do when I was younger and didnt have a career. Please keep posting. It gives me inspiration. Thanks guys.

 

[JLeonhardy]

Some of us are older, have a career, and use the money earned to fund our addic...uh, passion! My ultimate career goal is to NOT work for a living and rock hunt. Can't wait til the day they pay me for not going to the office.....

 

[chevyman75]

Nice looking finds jl hope i find som goods like that since im a newb at this lol

 

[chevyman75]

Wanted to ask is there good stuff on land that has been striped? Like surface mined for coal. I know of some good rock hillsides but didnt know if would still produce. Its been since the 50's since it was stripped.

 

[Brian T. Booth]

Wanted to ask is there good stuff on land that has been striped? Like surface mined for coal. I know of some good rock hillsides but didnt know if would still produce. Its been since the 50's since it was stripped.

If you are in a coal area where there are strip mines you could possibly find pyrite and/or marcasite. You could potentially find "pyrite suns" or "marcasite suns". This a radial mineralogy growth pattern that occurs with these crystal structures in black shale / coal producing areas.

 

[chevyman75]

Good info. Never seen any yet but maybe ill get the chance

 

[Eu_citzen]

If there isn't a meter of snow, for sure! When ever I can.

 

[Buckshotnc]

Sure do, found a 4-6 carat ruby about 3 or 4 weeks ago, was out today and actually panned 2 pans in the creek (had some ice along the edge) looking for gold or small gems, also walked some gravel bars and found what is either a yellowish quartz crystal or topaz, will have to clean it a little to see what I've got. I like winters after our deer season is over here in Western NC. Did a little digging today however some of the ground was still frozen.

 

[chevyman75]

Cant beat them finds. Should post some pics of your finds. I would like to see them. Im going out tomorrow with a friend hope to find some goodies

 

[Tigger]

yep. As stated, in some of the southern/western states it is better than summer with lower heat & snakes. Basically, anytime I take a trip, I rockhound. I do a little research to see what is available in the area/state, and keep my eyes peeled. you can also check out the gravel in flower beds (pitiful, but sometimes fruitful, especially in agate states!) at your local fast food, gas stations, also check ditches of recently graded dirt roads... I have a dog, so when we travel, I have an excuse for hanging around graveled areas. Our recent holiday trip included a freezing cold (but not snowy) fossil park in TX - we didn't find a lot, but enough to know to come back when it was warmer (but not sizzling). It's basically a year round addiction.

 

[Buckshotnc]

Cant beat them finds. Should post some pics of your finds. I would like to see them. Im going out tomorrow with a friend hope to find some goodies

Wish I was good at photos & posting but I'm not. Maybe I'll learn later.