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Post by kap on Apr 1, 2011 20:03:19 GMT -5
Everybody ready for another great dig at Diamond Hill? I know I am already got the camper packed and counting the days  . Who's going? Are we going to try and do a meal? I though I would bring my smoker and smoke a couple of butts or maybe a turkey. Looking forward to seeing everyone again. Keith |
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Post by mdupont on Apr 2, 2011 10:46:10 GMT -5
Wish it was a week later. Im off that week for spring break with the boys. We will be down there the following Thr/Fri. Save some stuff for us.
Mike
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Post by nose2ground on Apr 2, 2011 18:26:41 GMT -5
just got back - found a large and largely intact cluster of either ammy or smokey - along with some smaller clusters and a double term ammy. Bryan has done an excellent job with turning those piles - who knows what he will be bringing out of the pits before then!
will post pics tomorrow....
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Post by rayjeri on Apr 2, 2011 19:47:10 GMT -5
Hey Keith:
I will be there Thursday morning. I am only going to dig 1 day. See you there.
Ray
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Post by lizziebird on Apr 3, 2011 7:36:26 GMT -5
I wish I was there with you guys this weekend. I hope everyone found lots of awesome goodies. |
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Post by fantastic5 on Apr 3, 2011 11:31:03 GMT -5
How about some advice for a newbie. For last years DH crystals I used a hot oxalic acid bath and it cleaned them up within a few hours. I am using the same acid from that batch (pale yellow not green) to clean up some DH specimens that I got a few weekends ago, but the cold method, per Bryan's advice. It's been a week and I don't see any change in the coating. How much oxalic acid per gallon works the best for a cold soak?
Thanks in advance,
Ann
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Post by chelle on Apr 3, 2011 18:13:31 GMT -5
Fantastic I use iron out mixed and then poured into a bucked of water and xls. I have great success with this. I appologize if that is the same compound I just know thats the product I use.
As long as I still have a dog sitter (her mom has terminal cancer and well....) I plan to be there. I will bring what is known as "cowboy caviar" mmm mmm good!
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Post by Barrett on Apr 3, 2011 19:51:07 GMT -5
Here is one of the finds Nose2ground made this past Saturday from one of Bryan's turned dump piles...not to shabby..not to shabby at all   |
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Post by sunshine on Apr 3, 2011 21:21:55 GMT -5
Ann,
Sounds like your solution is weak, did you leave it uncovered? Test strips for pH will give a general indication on acid strength. Detention time and solution strength are variables based on individual applications. Based on my experience with Diamond Hill specimens, one pound oxalic to four gallons water is sufficient. Several weeks is not uncommon. Wrap the outside of your water bath with a thermostat controlled heat tape. Temperature does accelerate the cleaning process.
If you use my advice please follow MSDS guide lines, keep children and animals AWAY, wear approved safety equipment, work in a well ventilated area or outside latter preferred, properly dispose used solution, and get a second opinion.
Post some pics when done.
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Post by major on Apr 3, 2011 21:38:17 GMT -5
If the crystals are big, amethyst or smokey, do not heat because it can burst the point. If its druse or skeletal you should be able to heat it no problem. I sit mine outside in the sun, but covered, no letting sun it because it can "overcook" them
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Post by gsellis on Apr 4, 2011 7:40:16 GMT -5
I second Bryan's comment on the heating. I have now seen 2 enhydros while faceting DH stones. The second was not discovered until I started working on cutting a stone. Enhydros and heating do not mix. And until you have them clean and start intensely looking with magnification, you may not even notice them.
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Post by gsellis on Apr 4, 2011 7:42:16 GMT -5
Doc has some magic at DH. Nice one, Again, Nose2Ground.
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Post by nose2ground on Apr 4, 2011 13:43:24 GMT -5
Thanks George! Found a lot of really neat stuff, have everything now soaking in iron out so will do more pics in the next few days. Am really excited about a large single crystal that I found - washed it off, can see in parts a very good purple under the iron-manganese staining!
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Post by scintillator4u on Apr 4, 2011 18:24:42 GMT -5
I Might actually make this one ;D I got the weekend off work and even weaseled an extra day off. I REALLY am going to try. Tom
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Post by gsellis on Apr 4, 2011 19:07:35 GMT -5
I hate to mention this scintillator4u, but you mean the one that was this last weekend?
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Post by kap on Apr 4, 2011 20:41:46 GMT -5
George I think he is talking about the MAGMA dig next week since that was what this thread was started about not the Sat. digs it just got a little off track Keith |
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Post by nose2ground on Apr 5, 2011 16:41:07 GMT -5
I hope my post did not get things off track, and if it did i apologize profusely! My intention was to let folks know that a lot of good stuff is turning up just in the dump piles alone - and this is 2 weeks before Bryan gets things ready for us! He apparently has been working his rump off to make this the best he can with turning piles, digging out pits, fixing the parking and camp areas. I personally think this is going to be a GREAT dig for MAGMA - if you can make it, then do - you will not be disappointed..... just hope i can make it back!!
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Post by nose2ground on Apr 5, 2011 16:53:04 GMT -5
just an fyi for those going - I found a 2-inch piece of what appeared to be facet grade amethyst in one of the piles - at that point, my little girl was not finding anything and getting disappointed. So I placed it in the hole she was digging in - when she came back, she started shoveling dirt everywhere, never found it again...
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Post by kap on Apr 5, 2011 20:35:39 GMT -5
No problem I was just trying to get some input on everyone's plans for the MAGMA dig.
Keith
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Post by IronTom on Apr 7, 2011 16:30:08 GMT -5
As it stands my plan is to show up Wednesday to pitch camp. Unlikely I'll have any company with me and I'm still new to the rock-hounding scene. Anyone that wants to take me under wing and share some pointers will be much appreciated!
Whats the water situation at the mine? For use around camp I mean. I have a couple of water jugs, but if they aren't needed that'll be more room for crystals. ;D
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Post by Barrett on Apr 7, 2011 16:34:43 GMT -5
Won't find a better group to help you out and give you pointers, ITom
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Post by kap on Apr 7, 2011 17:34:49 GMT -5
Tom you need to bring what water you need there is not any there(unless it rains then there are a couple of lakes  If you need any help just ask this is a GREAT club. See you Wed. Keith |
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Post by scintillator4u on Apr 8, 2011 10:35:27 GMT -5
Yep,
I am planning on the april 14 dig, and hope to show up Thurs. night (late). I hope to dig fri/sat/sun.
See you all soon!
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Post by gsellis on Apr 8, 2011 11:02:30 GMT -5
I *may* do Thursday.
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Post by chelle on Apr 10, 2011 14:21:22 GMT -5
Newbies welcome, when I first started I was having an awful time finding anything decent. I was digging and "plop" I would look around and there would be an amethyst in my hole. Pat had high graded her stuff and was "flying" amethyst into peoples holes that were having trouble. I thought that was wicked nice because I was getting discouraged. Everyone will help you and explain what you need. If you forget to bring anything I have never gone without. Someone always shares! I do not say this often about people but these people are cool.
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Post by scott on Apr 10, 2011 21:43:09 GMT -5
Things were stirred up real good over there around the amethyst pit -- especially on the southwest part of the old amethyst pit. Bryan really worked the smoky pit hard so there's no telling what could be found in the tailings there. We hit smokys in there so I know the bucket probably scattered some of those around. Hopefully some rain will come and make things real good for everyone.
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Post by botanyme on Apr 11, 2011 9:39:53 GMT -5
Like Scott mentioned, the Smoky pit got really stirred up. I was there late yesterday because the vein was still running and I know there was plenty that went into the tailings around the pit. I did a walkabout the whole mine before I left and feel sure there will be stuff found by MAGMA. The amethyst pit got stirred up well too. Hard diggers will surely find something to dig into, be it pit or dump.
Good luck and have fun!!
b
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Post by stevebarr on Apr 11, 2011 10:05:32 GMT -5
The skeletal pit was not touched at all. Tailings piles from other areas are covering one side of it. The mud at the bottom is quite thick, so it will take some hard digging to get into good plates there. If it rains hard between now and the club's arrival, that pit might be extremely difficult to work. If you like tailings piles, there are plenty of them.
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Post by chelle on Apr 11, 2011 17:54:35 GMT -5
so what do I need to bring for these veins? Tool wise, I usually sift around for loose stuff but would love to try for a vein (dang, I sound like a vampire!)
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Post by nose2ground on Apr 11, 2011 18:22:05 GMT -5
chisels, pry bars, and sledge hammers - aside from shovels etc. Protective goggles a must if you are doing any hammering. Or, just bring a baseball bat - wait for someone to haul something good out, and whack them upside the head ... |
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. Who's going? Are we going to try and do a meal? I though I would bring my smoker and smoke a couple of butts 
If you need any help just ask this is a GREAT club. See you Wed.
