Wyoming trip again...

[Jim in Idaho]

Back this week to Wyoming. Still no diamonds, but I wasn't really looking. I did succeed in isolating the gem area I've been working. It is the only place, in several square miles, that produces both pyrope garnet and chrome diopside. I learned a few more things about that locale, but am keeping them to myself for the present. I hope to get back over there one more time this fall.
I did run into this little guy by my camp spot. Don't see them at this elevation very often. Downstream a few miles, they're common.


And, a few scenery pics:

You can see the different layers of erosion debris above the clay layer in this one. The top layer has garnets and chrome diopside. I'm still evaluating the other layers and the clay. Generally, I've found the clay doesn't have much in it.

 

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[Jim in Idaho]

Chromium diopside gem

 

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[old digger]

I guess I am going to have to keep my eye out for those ant hills while out on the sagebrush flats. I have seen white clear stones on the ant hills and maybe I should have them checked out.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Since I started prospecting for gems six years ago, I've become obsessed with checking anthills everywhere I go. Those harvester ants do a terrific job of gathering the high SG material, often from as far as 150 yards around their nest. They save prospectors from an incredible amount of work and time. One caution is to not disturb the mound. They can be as old as 50 years, and are hollow inside and somewhat fragile. The indians believed that if you took something from an anthill, you should replace it with something else. You can learn everything you need to know, about gems in the area, by simply scanning the surface of the mound. You should carry a pair of forceps for picking the gems....it's nearly impossible to pick one off the surface with your fingers.
I remember the first trip where I started finding gems on the anthills. The only tweezers I had were attached to a Swiss Army Knife, so that's what I used. Those tiny tweezers saved my trip as far as collecting went.
Jim

 

[Eu_citzen]

When the experts say "fragile" do they mean it can't be cut or faceted? Just curious, the colors are awesome!

It can be cut & faceted, but it's not easy. I suppose they mean from a erosion perspective that it doesn't last as long as the garnet.
Hardness is about similar to quartz. Has perfect cleavage, making it hard to cut.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Actually, EU, it's a little softer than quartz....5 to 6 on the hardness scale, similar to glass. The fragility is due to it's brittleness, and its tendency to split. As far as erosion...it doesn't wear so much as simply break apart. Most of the fragments I find are sharp-edged. That's the biggest reason that faceting is difficult...brittleness.
Jim

 

[Eu_citzen]

Actually, EU, it's a little softer than quartz....5 to 6 on the hardness scale, similar to glass. The fragility is due to it's brittleness, and its tendency to split. As far as erosion...it doesn't wear so much as simply break apart. Most of the fragments I find are sharp-edged. That's the biggest reason that faceting is difficult...brittleness.
Jim

Your right. I was just guessing right of the top of my head in terms of hardness.
I've never tried faceting one, but I hope one day I will. I hope it to be easier then amber.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

If I ever find one worth faceting, I'll send it to you. Most of the few larger pieces I find have quite a bit of uncrystalized material in them. Dan Hausel even had one of them done, but it's not especially nice. It's in his book about Wyoming gems.
Jim

 

[Eu_citzen]

If I ever find one worth faceting, I'll send it to you. Most of the few larger pieces I find have quite a bit of uncrystalized material in them. Dan Hausel even had one of them done, but it's not especially nice. It's in his book about Wyoming gems.
Jim

During school several years ago I followed Dan Hausel's work closely. He has some excellent info for anyone searching for gems & Prospecting!