Gems

[3dkicker]

Thought I'd post a pic of my most recent find...... cuz I'm bored and don't have anything better to do

For those who are interested in legalized gambling and don't have any casinos in your state here's a how it works. Contact one of the sapphire mines in Montana. Order some gravel ($35 per bucket). Take the time to wash the gravel and search for some small stones that look like old Coke bottle beads. Then send the stones in to be evaluated, possibly heated, and then cut ($40-60 per stone). After that you could end up with stones worth $200-2000 per carat . If you don't then you end up with some expensive clean gravel

Been doing this for a couple years and have found some nice stones. Not a good pic of this summers find but I should get a couple nice .50 ct stones.



Here's an example of what you could end up with

[USMCbassman]

Very interesting, may have to order some for my kids to dig through...

[Jrob78]

I had no idea such a thing even existed. That's really cool. Are your stones there of any value?

[3dkicker]

If you're close to San Diego then I've got a sweet day trip for you. Not for sapphires but for some gems just as valuable and some more.

The container on the right has the center pink/red stone. Weighs 1.65ct and should be around .50ct when cut. Maybe less. The stone above it has a blue center. It will be heated and end up around the same weight. Value depends on final product. Hope to get $200-250 each wholesale. Got a jeweler who sells them for me.

I've got a few sapphires in stock if anyone is interested. A few opals as well. If you think the monkey is tough you shouldn't mess with gemstones!!!

[USMCbassman]

I'm only 45 mins North of San Diego...only a short drive Let me hear what you got!

[3dkicker]

There are two good stones that are found in your area. Benitoite and pink tourmaline. The tourmaline is found in the mines in Pala which is probably east of you. I'd love it if you could get me some pink tourmaline rough from the mine. It's world famous for their stones. Also a great place for beginners and kids.
The benitoite is very rare and more expensive but only found in San Benito Co in three mines. I have two pieces but they can't be cut into gems. Very expensive to dig for compared to the tourmaline or the sapphires and very rare. Probably not the best to start the kids out on.