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Post by writerman2255 on Sept 20, 2007 8:49:51 GMT -5
You got that right! You know, I just realized what beginner's luck is. We've all heard thousands of stories about it. It's people who just know the huge gems are there, and they haven't had any days digging with coming up with nothing, and so EXPECT to find something, and then lo and behold, they do! Next time I go, I'm going with beginner's luck! I think I'll be there at the Crabtree this Saturday if my truck is ready, and they say it will be, so if it is, I'm there! It's this need thing to be in the dirt.
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Post by chunkfinder on Sept 20, 2007 16:21:08 GMT -5
Tom, ANY Beryl that you don't know what to do with,would be greatly loved and welcomed here in g.a. could you save me some for the next MAGMA DIG,PICNIC,or get together? I have yet to find anthing green at Crabtree,but as far as I,am concerned,Beryl in any coler will do. I have never seen a Beryl I didn't like. Nancy aka Chunkfinder.
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Post by writerman2255 on Sept 20, 2007 18:40:07 GMT -5
No problem. Just remind me. I have a bunch of beryl pieces I would be willing to give away. Have to make more room on my shelves for those perfect emeralds I am planning to easily find, and I KNOW are there! Yeah, baby!
Tom.
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Post by seerockcity on Sept 20, 2007 21:03:43 GMT -5
Being that I am new at all of this ....I'm hoping for the big trip MAGMA sez it's gonna have this fall. Otherwise, if anybodies got a group going, please let me know. I'd love to go ....! Even though I live all the way down here in Easley, SC, I'm game!!! Thanx, Debby. I'll even put in my email address cuz I don't get on here every day: it's Littlefeathers_29640@yahoo.com
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Post by crystaldigger on Sept 25, 2007 19:33:39 GMT -5
Ok here's one of the beryls that I found not to bad for the first 10 minutes I was there.
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Post by writerman2255 on Sept 25, 2007 21:14:52 GMT -5
Hey, pretty good! Now tell Rick I really don't have them all, and maybe he'll stop saying he's gonna charge me more to go! Nice find!
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Post by lee on Sept 25, 2007 23:36:24 GMT -5
Tom: Rick had better not pester you about the amount of emeralds you are finding at the Crabtree. It is people like you who are our greatest advertisement for this mine. You show frequently that a single person can, with a little effort, bring back a piece of history and beauty. Keep it up and tell Rick to leave you alone.
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Post by writerman2255 on Sept 26, 2007 0:10:46 GMT -5
Thanks, Lee. I'm sure glad someone's on my side! Ha!
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Post by crystalgail on Oct 9, 2007 9:10:50 GMT -5
Hi Nancy, I meet you at jxr this past weekend really enjoyed the day of looking. Was just wanting to know if you are going to be there this weekend and what we have to do if we camp over night there. if you can email me at crystalgail99@gmail.com that would be great. Thanks, Gail
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Post by stevebarr on Oct 9, 2007 12:11:25 GMT -5
Hi Folks,
To answer Gail's question as best as I can (even though I'm not Nancy)......camping at JXR is not a normal part of a visit to the site. Terry has graciously kept the site open to rockhounds, and does let the MAGMA group camp there when they schedule a dig......but he cannot let everyone who shows up pitch a tent and stay on the site overnight. There are too many issues involved, including safety.
From time to time, camping can probably be arranged when one of the volunteer caretakers is willing to stay there, but no one should assume that they can just stay for a few nights. Terry has to know you quite well to be willing to let you do that, since he is a commercial miner and makes his living selling the crystals that he digs.
If you want to set up an overnight trip, you'll need to contact me. I can't make any promises, but will see what I can do. And, bear in mind that digging is allowed during daylight hours....night time digging is not part of the deal when you go to JXR.
-Steve
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Post by bammer on Oct 9, 2007 15:06:51 GMT -5
This is one of my nicer matrix pieces from the spring machine dig. that is quarter in the background.
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Post by colorshapetexture on Oct 9, 2007 17:27:06 GMT -5
Bammer, Grind the edge into a nice teardrop shape and wire wrap it. That will make a nice pendant. Nice find. Jim
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Post by lee on Oct 9, 2007 18:04:51 GMT -5
Great specimen and even better picture !! You're getting good with your digital camera - Congratulations.
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Post by writerman2255 on Oct 9, 2007 21:42:33 GMT -5
There's going to be a good contrast when you polish that up. Perfect Crabtree material! Tom.
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Post by lee on Oct 11, 2007 11:15:43 GMT -5
Tom
It's about time for another picture of one of your great Crabtree emeralds or pieces of jewelry. Do you think you have a picture of a piece of material you can share with us?
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Post by romare on Oct 11, 2007 12:41:55 GMT -5
Lee, Here's a piece I have that the late Phil Lucas did. It's about 8 cm (a little over 3 inches) long and will eventually make it into a piece of jewelry. Mark
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Post by DigDug on Oct 11, 2007 18:16:44 GMT -5
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Post by colorshapetexture on Oct 11, 2007 19:33:08 GMT -5
Dug you been holdin out. You too Romare. Nice pieces both of you. See there Rick. Tom did'nt get um all.... LOL Jim
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Post by DigDug on Oct 11, 2007 20:12:25 GMT -5
I forgot one.
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Post by crystaldigger on Oct 11, 2007 20:29:44 GMT -5
wow, you guys are giving me a whole new perspective on things. I'm used to just displaying crystals and isolating them as opposed to doing matrix cabs. Those look pretty spiffy!
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Post by claycat on Oct 12, 2007 8:07:09 GMT -5
I forgot one. Beautiful pieces! Ed and I have quite a few cabs that we have done up for jewelry. Now, that I see you have drilled through the cabs so that they can accept other jewelry finding options, it opens a lot more design options. What did you use to drill through. I have a dremel with drill attachments and clamps. Or do I need something more professional? Is it fairly easy to keep a straight shot through the piece? Sorry for all the ? but, that got me excited!
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Post by writerman2255 on Oct 12, 2007 8:11:40 GMT -5
Those matrix pieces are really superb! I love the earrings. I may not wear jewelry, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it! Lee, as far as crystal specimens go, I have been waiting until I buy my new camera in order to really showcase the pieces. I want to put an emerald gallery with fifty or so specimens in it. I actually found an incredible ORANGE clear beryl at the Crabtree the other day. Nothing like an emerald of course, but interesting nonetheless. I'm still fully planning to find the Seven Sisters Stone, and that one, perfectly formed emerald crystal! Have to go back! Have to go back! Tom.
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Post by writerman2255 on Oct 12, 2007 8:33:42 GMT -5
Okay, this is still my old camera, but these two crystals I really liked because they popped out of one specimen rock, along with about ten others. The deep of their green, and their clarity, is ten times better than the pictures show.
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Post by DigDug on Oct 12, 2007 9:38:21 GMT -5
Nice!
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Post by lee on Oct 12, 2007 11:22:53 GMT -5
Mark: That emerald slab is one of the pretties I've ever seen. Did you say it came from a rock sale at an estate sale? Some young lady is going to be tickled pink (or should I say green) with a piece made from that great specimen. Thanks for sharing. Tom: If you don't quit finding emeralds at the Crabtree soon, you are going to have to install a safe in your house to keep them in. I am truly impressed with your collection - keep up the good work !! Dig Dug: You have come a long way with your jewelery making and I am really impressed with the cabs you are making. Keep up the good work !!
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Post by HeadieRocks on Oct 12, 2007 11:27:59 GMT -5
Tom, any way you could post a pic of this orange beryl? ?
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Post by writerman2255 on Oct 12, 2007 12:05:03 GMT -5
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Post by DigDug on Oct 12, 2007 13:03:21 GMT -5
Claycat, I used a dremel with 1.5mm diamond drill bit. I use a heavy spring clamp to hold it if too small for fingers. The clamps at Lowes that have the red plastic tips, like an oversized potato chip bag closer. I drill one end, 'eyeball the other end', and the other to prevent chipping from going staight through, besides, the bits arent very long...something on the order of 10 - 12mm. "and keep it submerged, just under the water surface, when drilling", helps keep the bit and material cool. Found that out on my first attempt...ding...then the lightbulb went on.
Writerman, Orange Beryl....that is a find!
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Post by DigDug on Oct 12, 2007 13:12:36 GMT -5
Claycat, here are ideas for drilling, hole horizontal throught top of piece
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Post by romare on Oct 12, 2007 13:15:18 GMT -5
Lee, that piece was from a collection I bought a while back. Phil was a lapidary and jeweler as well as a collector. I have a fluorite for you from Marion when I catch up with you again...
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