INSANE Last Hunt of the Season

[thehunter123]

Hey y'all. The weather is getting warmer and the snakes will be coming out soon so the rockhounding season is officially over. Thankfully I was able to go on one last hunt. I didn't expect to find much of anything since the "smokey pocket" had already produced around 300 specimens. I was SO WRONG! Apparently, the mother load was just a bit deeper than the previous holes we had dug! We went about 3-4 inches deeper in our old holes and the ground absolutely EXPLODED! Super dark, pristine quality smokies started popping out everywhere! We even managed to snag a nice-sized garnet. Talk about an incredible end to the season!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Beautiful finds!

 

[cjon455]

Wow, I don't know much about them but man they're beautiful!

Very nice!!

 

[CRUSADER]

Not being an expert on these, I would have thought this was a banner day? So I'm voting!

Whats the best one worth?

 

[thehunter123]

Thanks crusader! It WAS a banner day! haha I'm not much of an expert at all when it comes to pricing...but I would guess that the dark, gem-quality clusters would be in the $100-$300 range.

 

[Inspector]

very cool, congrats on the finds, really beautiful.

 

[retire05]

These are breathtaking! I'm going to go to Cherokee in a few months. Any advice?...Brad

 

[Argentium]

Refreshing to see some mineral specimens as treasure (which they are !) posted here - Thank You for sharing these with us !
I remember your earlier discovery as well .

 

[pepperj]

Very cool finds, and best of luck on your return hunts. Snakes Just had a wee shiver.

 

[thehunter123]

Hey Brad. Thanks for your comment! Cherokee is located in NC's blue ridge belt, a region where I don't have a whole lot of experience. However, I know that the blue ridge belt has produced a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstones along with quite a bit of gold. If you're going to be near any creeks or rivers, definitely bring along a gold pan or two. When it comes to gemstones, I would recommend you do some research on the area--you should be able to find some online historical sources pretty easily. Also, you could make some calls to gemologists located in Franklin, NC. Franklin is one of the most famous localities in NC for it's abundance in all types of gems--the experts there can tell you everything you need to know. Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[sushidingo]

I personally have never went on a gemstone hunt but would love to do it sometime. I live 45-60 minutes away from Cherokee and if anyone heading that way would like to teach me the basics in gemstone hunting I wouldn't be apposed to it. Any advice is always welcome. Thanks.

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks crusader! It WAS a banner day! haha I'm not much of an expert at all when it comes to pricing...but I would guess that the dark, gem-quality clusters would be in the $100-$300 range.

I would snap it up at $200!

 

[Hitndahed]

Man,,,VERY COOL,,, yep

Seriously,, wife and been talking for a while about a Jeepin vacation down there this summer.
Every year we try to go somewhere new for a week or so geared towards Jeepin and having fun.
It would be cool to see someone actually doing this kind of "mining".
So uhhh,,, if we were "in the area" Would ya show us around and explain it?
She can go "antiquing",,,Hehhehheh.
Would be awesome to see actually how this stuff is found.

Not askin for an invite or anything (wink) lol

Hit

 

[Trezurehunter]

Very nice.

 

[I-DIG-IT]

Nice digs. There should be more, one would think.

 

[retire05]

Hey Brad. Thanks for your comment! Cherokee is located in NC's blue ridge belt, a region where I don't have a whole lot of experience. However, I know that the blue ridge belt has produced a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstones along with quite a bit of gold. If you're going to be near any creeks or rivers, definitely bring along a gold pan or two. When it comes to gemstones, I would recommend you do some research on the area--you should be able to find some online historical sources pretty easily. Also, you could make some calls to gemologists located in Franklin, NC. Franklin is one of the most famous localities in NC for it's abundance in all types of gems--the experts there can tell you everything you need to know. Good luck and happy hunting!

Thanks for the advice! I'm really looking forward to it. I have seen some web sites and it isn't very clear tome (color blind doesn't help) what are stones and what are worth anything. I'll take your advice and let you know how it goes.... Brad