Camping trip delivers Sapphire, Topaz and more...

[BurntBear]

My camping trip to North Carolina this week brought many goodies to my pockets! My two partners and myself collected around 20 lbs. of raw Topaz, dozens of interesting specimens and large Sapphire specimens in matrix and out.

Here is a photo of my favorite specimen:

Raw Blue/Grey Sapphire in Quartz/Smoky Quartz Matrix- 440.5 ct.



This was analyzed & confirmed by a registered Gemologist.

 

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[StoneWhisper]

Been there done that and would hope to do it again very soon.. thou Our sights are starting to focus more on heading out west this year.. Thou your Sapphire is a keeper, nothing within that stone would be deemed worth faceting. Thou a tumble polishing bight bring out a bit more of the true color.

 

[BurntBear]

Yup, not looking to cut this guy. It's going on the shelf.

Here are some random photos from the trip:

 

[G Freeman]

Would like to see some of the Topaz stones BruntBear, thanks for sharing.

 

[StoneWhisper]

Yeah freeman seems to be topaz excerpt as of late with his topaz finds.

 

[G Freeman]

Yup, not looking to cut this guy. It's going on the shelf.

Here are some random photos from the trip:

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Hey BruntBear. I see the Topaz in the bottom picture that are still in the ground. Man what a picture. The Topaz looks great. You did get those stones out of the ground, right? I would still like to see some pictures of them out of the ground. Great Great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BurntBear]

I'm trying to find my camera which is amongst the camping gear....somewhere. Actually, that picture on the bottom is a piece hanging out of a rock face that I spotted. I didn't touch that. I get 90% of my specimens from creeks. I rarely dig unless I know I'm on to something or find a pocket.

 

[BurntBear]

Here is a piece of the colorless Topaz I found on the trip. Still sifting through all of these specimens. There are paper bowls filled with different colored stones across my living room floor, lol.

There is a window on this specimen that is amazing. You can look with a naked eye and see the entire inside of the crystal almost to the degree of an Opal.



Approx. 12 ct.

 

[BurntBear]

Here is a crappy photo of some of the Sapphire, Diorite, Albite & Feldspars in different matrix formations.

 

[G Freeman]

Here is a piece of the colorless Topaz I found on the trip. Still sifting through all of these specimens. There are paper bowls filled with different colored stones across my living room floor, lol.

There is a window on this specimen that is amazing. You can look with a naked eye and see the entire inside of the crystal almost to the degree of an Opal.

View attachment 1032761

Approx. 12 ct.

I can feel the excitement with you. Glad for you and this is such a great hobby. Happy Hunting.