Incredible Smoky Pocket!

thehunter123 · Feb 8, 2015

Hey y'all! I am very new to the whole prospecting thing but I've had some very early success. Yesterday I unearthed a massive smoky quartz pocket in the foothills of NC. In 3 hours or so we managed to pull nearly 60-70 fine quality smokies (including a MASSIVE point as well as two beautiful clusters shown below) from an area no bigger than a dinner table. I plan to return to the spot this coming weekend to continue digging and I am very interested to know if there could be any other precious gems that I should be on the lookout for in the pocket. If so, what should be my plan of action? Thanks a lot!!

BurntBear · Feb 8, 2015

Those are outstanding specimens! You need to just keep digging! I'd be looking for Beryl. Any Mica around?

huntsman53 · Feb 9, 2015

Be careful to cover and camoflauge the discovery before leaving each time. Also, if this deposit is in the National Forest, check the rules on daily limits of removal of minerals but I believe it is 35 pounds. Also, definitely only use tools and manual labor to remove any Gems and Crystals. A fellow from New York found a large deposit of Adventurine while prospecting for Rubies and Sapphires in the Smaragdite on Chunky Gal Mountain just off the highway from Franklin to Hayesville. He got too greedy, brought in some folks to help and used Dynamite to get it out. He and his helpers were caught delivering a large load of the Adventurine to Importers from Japan at a dock on the coast and he, his helpers and the Importers went to prison.

Frank

Flick420 · Feb 9, 2015

WHOA, that is amazing, that is a dream come true right there, The size of the crystals is ridiculous, i can only make a quick post atm, but id recommend moving slowly and cover up your holes when your gone. Work around whatever your trying to extract with at least 3-6 inches of safety space so that you dont actually hit what your extracting with your tools and damage the crystals.

That is all elestial smokey quartz, The first point is an insane specimen

There is a good chance, there is ameythst there, citirine, ametrine, and clear quartz, possible beryl, and schrol tourmaline, those are all founds in the NC mining areas, If i can help with more info ill see what i can do

thehunter123 · Feb 9, 2015

Yes! Lots of Mica around

shaman15771 · Feb 9, 2015

That's great hunter! We have a lot of smoky here too. (SW Virginia). Still trying to find beryl, but not sure I would know it if I tripped over it. :dontknow:

We also have a lot of mica.

DDancer · Feb 9, 2015

Definitely got a honey hole there :thumbsup:

There is a good possibility of other gems there. Beryl, feldspar, topaz are possibilities. Just keep an eye out for faceted materials or materials that appear clear or gemmy. Excellent quartz like that is often found in conjunction with these types of gems.

Featherdfishead · Feb 9, 2015

Awesome Find!
Nothing like that around my area, lots of gold though.
Glad i stumbled apon your post. Fed and state are tough here, i'd defanatly be clear on your rockhounding/gem collecting daily take limits. Its 35lbs a day like huntsman said in the Klamath National forest that i live in.
Happy Days - Happy Hunting!
AjR

MrLee · Feb 9, 2015

Fantastic! And valuable! That is definitely the find of the week!

thehunter123 · Feb 9, 2015

Thanks MrLee! Finding the pocket was quite an experience! Do you have an idea as to how valuable pieces like these are?

huntsman53 · Feb 9, 2015

thehunter123 said:
Thanks MrLee! Finding the pocket was quite an experience! Do you have an idea as to how valuable pieces like these are?

You can get an idea as to the value by comparing your' large specimens to this small one that sold on eBay. The larger and nicer the specimens are, the values or prices that they fetch, go up exponentially.

Frank