David Cowley asked:

Geodes

Thunder eggs, or geodes, are geological rock formations which occur in sedimentary and certain volcanic rocks.  They look like regular rocks from the outside, the exterior typically made up of limestone, but then have crystal formations of quartz on the inside.  They’re referred to as thunder eggs by treasure hunters because they do resemble very large eggs because of their smooth exterior and round shape.  If you’re interested in any type of treasure hunting you may want to start out with these thunder eggs, or geodes.

The real value of the geodes is their appearance when they are halved and polished.  Their crystal formations typically come in a wide variety of colors, from deep purple to pink, blue, and even a silvery crystal color.  The formations of the rock itself leave a wavy design in the color, and the crystals on the inside emit a fiery glow.  Some thunder eggs that have been found are so large that they have been made into furniture, such as coffee or side tables.  Adding a base and a glass top makes the rock into a very interesting and sturdy piece of furniture.

Geodes

It’s often difficult to tell what’s going to be inside those geodes until you actually split it open, and usually they require some polishing in order for them to be at their full potential when it comes to shine and brilliance.

If you’re interested in finding some geodes you need to know where to look or them.  Chances are you won’t find them in your backyard, unless you live in Utah or Mexico.  Other area where Thunder Eggs have been found is Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and the Geode State Park in Henry County, Iowa.  Iowa designated the geode as the official state rock in 1967. 

Geodes

Rock Hound State Park in Deming New Mexico is open to the public for Rock Hounds of all ages.  It is known for its wide variety of mineral specimens due to ancient volcanic activity in the area.  Geodes can be found littering the valley floor.  Look for round or oval shaped rocks with a lumpy surface similar to the look of a cauliflower.  Use your rock hammer and break open the rock.  There is no easy way to determine what you have until you break the rock open.  Thunder Eggs are also found in the rocky crags of the desert walls.  Watch out for snakes and scorpions when reaching into any rocky outcropping.

According to Wikipedia, a large geode the size of a minivan was discovered in Ohio in the early 1900′s in an area now known as Crystal Cave.  You can actually take tours of this area during the summer.  While it’s unlikely that you’ll find any geodes as large as your vehicle, the point is that they are obviously out there and can be quite valuable.

When searching for thunder eggs it’s best to have with you a reliable guide that maps out areas of the dessert or certain cave formations where you may find them.  It’s also imperative that you pay close attention to your own personal safety and never go spelunking or exploring in the dessert alone and without proper precautions.  There are no geodes that you may find that are worth your own personal life and safety.

Happy Treasure Hunting.

gold pan

David Cowley asked:




Treasure hunting is the common name for a fun and interesting hobby enjoyed by thousands of people around the world. They use portable metal detectors to go outside and literally hunt for treasure.  With the price of gold over $700 oz today, more and more people are getting metal detectors and heading into the hills.

The FMDAC

In order to help you get started in treasure hunting, you should check out the Federation of Metal Detector and Archeological Clubs, Inc.  You can find out about any events, meeting or treasure hunting clubs in your area.  You can find out where to legally go look for gold in treasure hunting.  Usually, you have to go to state parks and public property unless you are invited onto someone’s private property.  And it’s not just a pipe dream to find gold treasure hunting in this way.  People have actually found very valuable items, from gold coins to gold artifacts.

You also need to know your area’s municipal codes, which the FMDAC can help you find.  Sometimes, you can legally go treasure hunting in public schools, church grounds and public beaches with metal detectors.  You might even be asked by neighbors to help locate utility pipelines on their property or to find lost trinkets in their back yards.

Wal-Mart

Believe it or not, Wal-Mart is now playing a big role in promoting finding gold by treasure hunting.  Usually, stores will not allow any solicitation in their premises.  However, Wal-Mart has a unique partnership with the FMDAC where they will allow displays by treasure hunting clubs in their stores.  These can be manned or unmanned display tables with pamphlets.  Your local Wal-Mart or Super Wal-Mart may be the place to go get started in gold treasure hunting business.

Is There Any Gold Left?

The best place to prospect for gold is the place where gold already has been found.  Some nice size nuggets have been found with metal detectors in areas that have had active gold mines in the past.  Not every ounce of gold has been mined or panned from rivers.  Part of the treasure hunting hobby is to learn gold panning and pour over old prospector maps.  There still is a market in this hobby for treasure maps.  Some treasure maps will show you where gold has been found in the past.  The odds are that not all of the gold was found and that there might still be some left in those gold-bearing areas.

The Roaring Camp Mining Company is in Pine Grove California, which is about one hour east of Sacramento.  Visitors to the mining camp are shown many of the mining techniques us for locating gold.  You are able to pan, sluice, dredge and dry wash for gold.  You get to keep any gold that you find.  Gold bearing material is collected from the mine bedrock area and run through a screening process to remove the large rocks and it is then made available to you.

California isn’t the only state where there has been success in gold treasure hunting by amateurs.  Gold has been found in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Virginia.  The gold was found with the use of portable metal detectors or gold-panning.  So, there still might be gold left “in them thar hills”.

Happy Treasure Hunting.

David Cowley asked:


Opals have been considered a magical precious stone for thousands of years.  It is said to help the wearer’s psychic powers and to have better and more vivid dreams.  Modern Witches and Pagans especially look for black opals, said to enhance any magic spell.  But not are opals rich in myth and magic, they are also really nice to look at.  In many ways, they are similar to pearls, but not nearly so expensive. 

Opal

Although you can buy opals from jewelers, geological shows and “nature” stores and their website equivalents, it’s far more fun and magical to find the opal yourself.  This is one of the many reasons why opal treasure hunting is becoming a popular activity, especially in Nevada and Oregon, where Bonanza Opal Mines and the Juniper Ridge Fire Opal Mines are.

Opal Rough

Finders Keepers

Bonanza Opal Mines have “finders’ keepers” days where the general public is allowed to come in, pay a daily fee of less than $50 and keep any and all opals that they find.  You are not allowed to dig just anywhere in the mines, however.  Some areas are reserved only for shareholders.  But hunting for opals is still good in all of the other places of the mines.

Depending on where you choose to hunt for opal, the tools you should bring include Small Hand Rake, Shovel, Pick Axe, Hammer, Bucket, Gloves and Knee pads.  You can use the hard rock mining technique which entails use of a pick axe, shovels, and a hammer or your could just rake through the tailing which are bulldozed piles of material removed from the mining area.  Many of these mines are in extraordinarily remote areas so be prepared to camp and bring all necessary food, water and mining supplies.

Opal Armband

Modern day opal treasure hunters don’t need to travel a huge distance to and from the mines when they need to relax after an invigorating day searching.  They are allowed to camp in certain places in Bonanza Opal Mines.  There are also shower facilities and a naturally heated pond.  Camping and use of the showers is included in your daily fee.

If you like the thrill of the hunt and the beauty of the shifting colors of opals, you may be interested to know that sometimes opportunities come where you can be a Bonanza Opal Mine shareholder.  When you become one of only 100 shareholders, then you are allowed to dig in the “bank” – the places thought to be richest in opals.  If you are interesting in a share, you need to contact Bonanza Opal Mines by email or phone.

Juniper Ridge Fire Opal Mine is another mine that allows the general public to search for opals on a fee bases.  The digging fee is $200 per person per day which gives you the right to dig for opals at the mine area and you are allowed to fill a one gallon bucket with raw gemstones.  The mine operators at the Juniper Ridge Fire Opal Mine believe that any reasonably health and active adult should be able to fill a one gallon bucked within a single day.  If you have more than one gallon bucket worth of material you can pay an additional fee or simply keep only the highest grade of opals to take home.

Before booking your opal treasure hunting trip, be sure to contact your local treasure hunting club to find information on what tools to bring.  You can find out the contact information of your local club through the Federation of Metal Detectors and Archeologist Clubs, Inc.  Often, your local Wal-Mart will have a display table or pamphlets from your local treasure hunting club available.  Sometimes, there even will be club members manning the table so you can ask questions about opal treasure hunting.

Happy treasure hunting.

Martin Applebaum asked:


Who doesn’t like to travel? All of us do! In addition, when it comes to Overseas adventure travel, most people are thrilled with the excitement that comes along. The good news is that there are several options available for those who crave for Overseas adventure travel. Overseas adventure travel is about going to places that have never been traveled or less traveled. This further helps in facilitating the traveler to know a lot about different cultures. One can also have a look at the majestic wildlife that exists in the universe.

There are several companies online and offline that cater to Overseas adventure travel. They provide excellent services and top quality customer service to the people interested in travel. If you are looking forward to set out on a trip to Overseas adventure travel, you need to do some planning. Here are certain things that you need to keep in mind and follow:

a) The reason: Before planning for Overseas adventure travel, you must know what an Overseas adventure travel really signifies to you. Some people find it a way to bond with their family, some want to know about different cultures that exist across the globe and others want to explore many things. So, make sure you know what the trip really means to you and why you want to go out on such a travel prior to planning for it.

b) Planning: Plan a trip really well, knows exactly where you would be going, the number of days you would spend at a specific place and the amount of money you would be comfortable to shell out.

c) Preparation: When it comes to an Overseas adventure travel, you are expected to carry your own supplies. Good shoes are important for the trip. Do not forget a sunscreen, a hat and an effective insect repellent.

d) A budget: It is equally important to plan a budget and stick to it. Remember that a budget needs to be large when going on Overseas adventure travel. You may need to shop around and compare various package plans in order to determine whether the amount you spend is worth the cost.

e) Package: It is advisable to go for a travel package only after a lot of research. Evaluate the company’s authentification and whether it is giving you all the facilities for the money that you are spending. In addition, keep in mind that any trip that comes with a ‘cheap’ tag attached to it will have fewer amenities make sure you read reviews related to the price offerings and services of the company.

f) Analyze and act: Make doubly sure that you read all the terms and conditions of the fine print prior to agreeing and getting into a contract.

Overseas adventure travel is great fun especially if you love traveling. All you require to do is to do some research and a lot of planning prior to actually setting out on such a trip.

An adventure trip also works towards teaching you a lot.

Sapphires have captivated people for thousands of years.  They seem so encapsulate wisdom somehow, or perhaps our own potential.  Somewhere in a pile of dirty gravel, there is a shining gem just waiting to be uncovered.  Sapphires come in a wide variety of colors, including blue, pink, orange, brown, clear, yellow and purple.  Why no red sapphires?  Well, they are called rubies.  There are many reasons to go sapphire treasure hunting.

Rubies are today still more valuable and rare than even the top quality colorless diamonds. One 16 carat ruby recently sold for $227,301 per carat in 1988.  A Ruby of five carats or more are particularly rare.  Ruby is composed of the mineral corundum, one of the most hardest minerals which exists.  It has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale and is also extremely tough. It is even used as an abrasive.

Blue is considered the normal color of sapphires but they are also found in the full range of the color spectrum.  Trace amount of impurities like iron, titanium and chromium can give sapphires their blue, yellow, pink, brown, purple, orange, green and even black coloration.  Vary rarely some sapphires are found completely transparent (white).  Heating sapphires to 1800 Celsius for several hours can improve or enhance the natural color.  In the case of hazy or cloudy stone, heat treating will clean it up.  $20 per carat for cutting and polishing in addition to the $5 per carat for heat treating marginal stones is well worth the added expense.

Clear, cut and polished sapphires less than one carat with good color can be sold for $100 to $1,000 per carat.  One to four carat gemstones can go for as much as $2,000 to $5,000 per carat.

Logan Sapphire

The Logan Sapphire from Sri Lanka is one of the largest faceted gem-quality blue sapphires in the world and it weighs 422.99 carats.  It is currently on display at the Natural Museum of Natural History.

Star Sapphires

A sapphire that exhibits a star like light pattern when viewed with a single overhead light source is call a Star Sapphire.  These gemstones contain intersecting needle like inclusion that cause the appearance of the six rays, star shaped pattern.  The value of a star sapphire in dependent on the intensity of the star pattern in addition to the standard 4Cs grading system.

September Stories

If you were born in September, then you have a special reason to go sapphire treasure hunting.  That’s because any sapphire variety is your birthstone.  It’s also traditionally considered the birthstone for those born under the sun signs of Taurus, Pisces, Virgo and Sagittarius.  It is also the traditional gift for your 5 th and 45 th wedding anniversary.  If somehow you make it to your 65 th wedding anniversary, then the traditional gift is the rare and pleasantly peculiar star sapphire.

Perhaps you would want to go sapphire treasure hunting to attain the magical and healing powers that have been attributed to these special stones.  Sapphires are said to help a person’s latent abilities for astral projection, telepathy and clairvoyance.  Not only are they reputed to do that, but are also said to be helpful in curing colic, helping rheumatism, reducing fever (blue stones only) and easing various mental illnesses (no color preferences for that one).

Rock hounding

If you have ever wanted to uncover buried treasure, you are not alone.  There is a huge growing hobby called rock hounding or treasure hunting.  Some rock hounders will search for anything they can find, while some prefer to find particular things.  Many rock hounders use metal detectors, but they will not help you for sapphire treasure hunting.  You need screens, tweezers, picks and perhaps a magnifying glass.

Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine

If you go to Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine in beautiful Spokane, Washington, then your chances for a successful sapphire treasure hunt are high.  This mine is extremely rich in sapphires.  If you can’t make it to Spokane, you can order a bucket of mine gravel from their website and can go sapphire treasure hunting in the comfort of your own home.  They guarantee a sapphire in each bucket.

All colors of sapphires have been found at Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine, including the rare rubies.  The most common color found is a blue-green.  Other semi-precious stones have been found occasionally, including topaz, citrine (yellow quartz), garnets and diamonds.

For those of you who can’t make it to Washington, the sapphire mine transports sapphire gravel via UPS across the world.  We will dig, package and ship your own bucket of sapphire gravel to ‘mine’ from the comfort of your own living room.

Happy treasure hunting.