Post by psysorens on Jan 12, 2022 18:28:17 GMT -5
Hi Y'All,
I am originally from MN, where I started rockhounding over 30 years ago, hunting agates, jasper, thomsonite, amethyst, flint, and coming home with pockets stuffed full of taconite pellets. Later, I moved to SC where my wife and I still live. It's a good spot for rockhounds. We are in reasonable proximity to some prime gem and fossil hunting areas; and when we decide to drive up north to visit family, our trip takes us through some of the best geode hunting that I know of (and more fossils)! This past fall (of 2021), my wife and I even made it to the Keokuk Geode Festival, which I highly recommend.
Lately, I have been making quite a few day trips to the Northern and Western portions of SC, the Franklin NC area, or the Pisgah National Forest to take advantage of the cool weather (especially for sites that requires a strenuous hike) and absence of biting insects. One of my new favorite spots is the Ray Mica Mine in Yancey County, NC. Last month I made a short day trip up there and found some really nice aquamarine and yellow beryl. I really want to visit some of the nearby sites as well (e.g., the Balsam Mine, the Mas-Celo Mine), and would love to read about anyone's experiences at either (or other sites in the area) if they want to share.
Another interest I have is learning to use lapidary equipment and would appreciate any advice about good entry level equipment/where to find good used equipment. No advice is too elementary for me--I know nothing about this stuff.
Anyway, I look forward to participating in this forum and getting to share info and experiences with fellow rockhounds.
~Carl
I am originally from MN, where I started rockhounding over 30 years ago, hunting agates, jasper, thomsonite, amethyst, flint, and coming home with pockets stuffed full of taconite pellets. Later, I moved to SC where my wife and I still live. It's a good spot for rockhounds. We are in reasonable proximity to some prime gem and fossil hunting areas; and when we decide to drive up north to visit family, our trip takes us through some of the best geode hunting that I know of (and more fossils)! This past fall (of 2021), my wife and I even made it to the Keokuk Geode Festival, which I highly recommend.
Lately, I have been making quite a few day trips to the Northern and Western portions of SC, the Franklin NC area, or the Pisgah National Forest to take advantage of the cool weather (especially for sites that requires a strenuous hike) and absence of biting insects. One of my new favorite spots is the Ray Mica Mine in Yancey County, NC. Last month I made a short day trip up there and found some really nice aquamarine and yellow beryl. I really want to visit some of the nearby sites as well (e.g., the Balsam Mine, the Mas-Celo Mine), and would love to read about anyone's experiences at either (or other sites in the area) if they want to share.
Another interest I have is learning to use lapidary equipment and would appreciate any advice about good entry level equipment/where to find good used equipment. No advice is too elementary for me--I know nothing about this stuff.
Anyway, I look forward to participating in this forum and getting to share info and experiences with fellow rockhounds.
~Carl