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Post by ncjoelclt on Aug 19, 2012 9:30:32 GMT -5
I am new to the hobby in a meaningful sense and would like to meet up with fellow gem enthusiasts in NC to learn more about how people go about hunting and displaying their finds. I would also like to learn more about lapidary.
NC seems like a great place to get started as the state is home to Gold, Emeralds, Hiddenite, Ruby, Sapphire and many others.
Thanks for your help!
Joel
Charlotte , NC
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Post by rockshine on Aug 22, 2012 10:27:40 GMT -5
Hey Joel, welcome to the forum. First thing you gotta do is start an addition to your house, or build a garage, so you will have someplace to display all those rocks you are going to find. Of course, you can just leave them in five gallon buckets scattered all over the lower forty, but that invites mosquitoes .
My advice for you as of now is to collect any and everything that comes your way. Later you can decide whether you like big rocks or micromounts or thumbnails, whether you like crystals or massives, whether you like a particular mineral or would rather have an eclectic collection based on localities. For example, some folks like only quartz crystals; others like quartz crystals from only a few well known locations; others like quartz crystals from every place they know of: others only want quartz crystals they have personally collected.
The first consideration in displaying a collection is, does it please you when you look at it? If and when you begin showing and selling/trading, it becomes more important how other folks view your display, but for your own pleasure, hang them from the ceiling with piano wire, if you like it that way. I must say here that I do appreciate a well organized and properly documented collection, although I don't do it that way (yet). Just don't get so obsessed with creating a perfect display that it becomes a chore and ceases to be fun.
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Post by ncjoelclt on Sept 16, 2012 22:22:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. I am sure that I don't know exactly what I like yet .... And that is the Fun part. My plan is to just mess around - and see where the earth takes me.
There are is a lapidary class in town that looks neat - might be fun to just polish up what I find and take it from there......
So many rocks - so little time....
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Post by mikeyrocks on Sept 25, 2012 12:56:32 GMT -5
There is a club in the Charlotte area called the 'Charlotte Gem and Mineral Club' and are listed online. Check with them most clubs have classes and equipment to use ....it is where a lot of us got started cutting. Enjoy! My son is in Indian Trail but I haven't managed to get him to join. He does cut quite a lot of preforms I send him though. There is also the William Holland School for week long classes in the summer cutting, jewelry, faceting, etc. One of the best schools (maybe the only school) in the country extremely well respected. A non profit I and others highly recommend. cheers.....mikey
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