Have you ever imagined finding precious gemstones or treasure? Do you have an interest in Gemology? I recently watched a program called “Cash and Treasures” on the Travel Channel. Basically, the hostess goes around to different locations in search of treasure. The episode that sparked my interest was when the hostess when to the Himalaya Mine to look for precious gemstones. With a name like Himalaya Mine, I expected it to be in some remote location in Asia. Instead, I learned the Himalaya Mine is right in my backyard. I live in San Diego County and as it turns out the Himalaya Mine is just a short drive from my house. The mine has an interesting history that is a bit too long to go into much detail here but it’s claim to fame is that is was the largest producer of pink tourmalines for the last empress of China.

What I learned from the show was that for a small fee you could go and dig through the “tailings” from the mine. Tailings are more or less what is left over when they blast or dig in a mine. The mine owner(s) typically look through the material they blast or dig out of the mine once or twice to find any obvious gemstones, then they put everything else into a big pile. That big pile or piles is what is known as the tailings. The hostess of the “Cash and Treasures” show was lucky enough to find a large pink tourmaline while digging through some of those tailings. She later had that pink tourmaline cut into a very nice gemstone and set in a piece of jewelry. The finished product appraised for thousands of dollars according to the show.

I have been around long enough to know you don’t get something for nothing but I love Gemology and the thought of digging through a bit of dirt to find a gemstone sounded like a lot of fun to me. So, I did a little Google search to get the details for the Himalaya Mine and headed off to try my luck. I drove up to Lake Henshaw located in North San Diego County. They bring the tailings down from the mine and deposit them in a campground behind a little country store by the lake. I asked for directions from the girl behind the counter at the country store and after following a small road into the campground I arrived at my destination.

What I found was not all that impressive at first blush. There were a number of troughs surrounding what looked to be a shallow lawyer of rocks in the dirt. I was greeted by a young man in charge of the operations. He informed me that they had not yet received their tailings for the day and that the tailings should be along shortly. I was there bright and early not wanting to miss any moment of my gem hunting adventure and the new tailings showed up within and hour or so after my arrival. The price for trying your luck was $75. I did not remember to bring any cash with me but was able to pay with a charge card.

All the necessary gem hunting equipment was provided on location. After a short education on how to sift through the material I was on my way hunting for gems. First you start out by using a shovel to place the tailings into a large painters bucket. You then take that bucket to your trough. Shovel a bit of the tailings into a square box screen, give it a few shakes to get the loose dirt off and then place the screen into the trough to get the remaining dirt off the stones. After a few shakes in the water trough you lift your screen to look for your gemstones. If anything is there you will probably see it quickly. The tourmalines really stand out from everything else. Mostly I found pink tourmaline, but also green and occasionally blue tourmalines. Along with the tourmalines I found plenty of quartz crystals, many with small tourmalines embedded in them.

We wrapped up sometime around three of four in the afternoon. By that time I was ready to call it a day. Hunting for gemstones is a lot of fun but definitely hard work. In the end I did not find a pricelessstone or even a pricey one but I did find a number of less valuable stones. I could probably sell them for the amount or a bit more than it cost to find them. I’ve decided to keep them however. My next step is to learn how to cut stones. I am fortunate enough to have a willing tutor. So with any luck I will soon have some nicely cut gemstones that I found myself! Not bad for $75 and a little hard work.

Author: Todd H Smith

Gems Straight From the Source « K.L. Dezines

I searched for a list of gem mines around the United States, where an adventurous soul could pay so much money to go into the mine and find thier own gemstones. I must admit, it all looks like hard work, but something that could be fun … If your ever in San Diego, and you love tourmaline as much as I do,then drop by the Himalaya Mines where for 75.00 per person, you can dig for tourmalne and sunstone. The mine operates year round, but is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mining For Gem Stones at the Himalaya Mine

Tailings are more or less what is left over when they blast or dig in a mine. The mine owner(s) typically look through the material they blast or dig out of the mine once or twice to find any obvious gemstones, then they put everything.

Daniel Russell - Kunz On The Gem Mines of Southern California

GEM MINES IN CALIFORNIA. By George F. Kunz. From: Kunz, George Frederick Gems, Jewelers’ Materials, and Ornamental Stones of California Bulletin No. 37 California State Mining Bureau San Francisco, June, 1905. Elbaite and Kunzite, Pala, California ….. Near the center, at intervals, pockets occur in which fine gem-tourmalines are found, but not as rich as in the adjoining claim, which is the property of the Himalaya Mining Company. This company has employed from three.

Mining For Gem Stones at the Himalaya Mine

Have you ever wanted to find your own gemstones? Many mines allow guests to search for gems for a small fee. Original post by unknown and software by Elliott Back.

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Jewelry that is worn frequently should be cleaned at home every three to four months. Once a year it should be cleaned professionally by a professional jeweler. Before cleaning any jewelry check to ensure all precious stones are secure and not loose.

1. Clean gold and silver wedding bands by dipping a toothbrush into clean water then into regular paste toothpaste (gel toothpaste will work but is not recommended). Scrub the entire ring, both the inside and outside. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.

2. Cleaning the precious stone of a ring can be completed by using one part lemon ammonia and ten parts water. If you are cleaning stones outside of diamond rings (such as jade, onyx and emerald) use baby shampoo and water. Once you are finished cleaning rinse well with water.

A clean diamond is more brilliant and beautiful than then a diamond that is dirty. Dirt on the top of a diamond reduces its luster. Following the above steps will ensure your Gem Stone Silver Rings , Engagement Rings , Wedding Rings and Promise Rings sparkle throughout the year. Your Jewelry will love you!

Author: Mike Johnsons

SILVER GEMSTONE RING >> Sterling Silver Gemstone Ring Tips …

Bring your Gem Stone Silver Rings, Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings and Promise Rings Back to Life Executive summary about Silver Gemstone Ring by Mike Johnsons. Jewelry that is worn frequently should be cleaned at home every three to.

Diamond Opal Birthstone Rings October Birthstone Ring

The more you know about diamonds and more rings you see the keyword luck you hold of purchasing the keyword one. Among different wonderful designs, the solitaire diamond ring is commonly secondhand for engagement rings. … October Birthstone Jewelry? the Opal | Gold and Silver Birthstone . Fire Opal Gemstone and Diamond Ring 1.33 Carat (ctw) in 14K Yellow Gold List Price: $199.00. Depend on this special item to ignite your fashion sense in a quickie.

Is It Okay To Propose To A Woman Without A Ring? | The Frisky

“To many this will sound like sacrilege, but I just don’t get the whole engagement ring phenomenon. So you’ve found someone you want to spend your life with, and that feeling is mutual—why does the guy have to spend three month’s salary …… I think the diamond engagement ring is a very American thing. Where I’m from, when a couple gets engaged they both get a simple silver band. And then when they get married they both get a gold wedding band, with or without diamonds.

Dear Poll: What’s Your Take on Promise Rings?

i wish a man would give me a “promise ring”. get back with that bull. i don’t half step, either you want my crazy a*s for life, or you’re not ready yet. what do you tell people after you get one? This is my promise-fiance? …. The only diamond ring I want is an engagement ring/wedding band. If my boyfriend wants to buy me a ring with a gemstone as a sign of his love, that’s fine.. but no diamonds unless it’s a couple carats. Sticking out tongue hahah.

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Sapphire is definitely one of the most strikingly beautiful gemstones. Sapphires are found in certain special locations in Sri Lanka, India, Burma, Madagascar, Australia and Africa. The most famous region that produces sapphires is Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon. The blue sapphire found in Sri Lanka is therefore called Ceylon sapphire, which is considered as the finest blue sapphires in the world. Burmese sapphires are also beautiful, but the blue is darker than those from Sri Lanka which produce a much lighter and brighter variety. It has long been believed that Sapphires could offer protection from evil and harm. Sapphires rings, as a result, have been worn by the Asian royalty and European aristocrats since ancient times.

When shopping for Sapphires rings, the first thing coming to your mind is probably a beautiful blue sapphire ring that sparkles with intoxicating shades of blue sky. But not all Sapphires are blue! As a matter of fact, sapphires can be found in a variety of colors including violet, green, yellow, orange, pink and purple.

Sapphire is the perfect gem for rings. Besides fantastic color selection, sapphire excels in durability. It is almost as durable as diamond (9 on the Mohs scale just below diamond). If you purchase a sapphire ring you will be rest assured that it can withstand more than most gem stones. In addition, Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September. So if you are thinking of giving a gift to someone who was born in September, what’s better than a sapphire birthstone ring?

In recent years, more and more people have been requesting Sapphire Engagement Rings. As a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness, Sapphires Ring has been given as Engagement Ring by the British royal family. Remember Princess Diana’s classic Blue Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring? Or pick a pink sapphire engagement ring. There is nothing like pink sapphire ring to bring a touch of extra romance and love. Pink sapphire engagement ring is perfect for someone who is romantic and feminine, and is looking for something different from the traditional white diamond. And it is less expensive than diamond too.

When buying sapphires rings, the costs can vary dramatically depending on the size, shape, setting and band. It is always wise to set yourself a budget before heading out and purchasing a sapphire ring. Thanks to the popularity of Internet, you can browsing a variety of sapphires rings online today. Online stores usually have wider selection of sapphire rings, and offer significant discounts off retail prices. If you decide to purchase your sapphire ring over the internet, make sure that they have a returns policy in place so that you can return the ring if it is not what you thought it was.

By: Linda Queensario

What You Need to Know before Buying Sapphires Rings

Sapphires rings, as a result, have been worn by the Asian royalty and European aristocrats since ancient times. When shopping for Sapphires rings, the first thing coming to your mind is probably a beautiful blue sapphire ring.

Pink Sapphire Rings For Your Vacation

The best thing that you can do when you are looking for pink sapphire rings is you have to know that you must avoid the department stores at all cost. You must also stay away from local jewelry stores. These are places that are … Sometimes you may even end up buying a fake ring, thinking that it’s real. Do not be one of the people who gets caught up in the lies. If you are going to buy at these local stores then be sure to do your homework on the gems before you go in.

A Guide to Buying a Sapphire Engagement Ring

Before buying a sapphire engagement ring, you should carefully examine the clarity of the stone. Even though most gemstones will have some type of minor flaw, you should check the stone carefully for any visible cracks that can cause.

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Since time man has had desired precious and strikingly beautiful stones. Larimar stone is one such magnificent work of nature. Found only in the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean this semi-precious gem has invited many visitors and tourists since its discovery. Now there is a large market for Larimar jewelry all around the world and it is available in the form of pendants, bracelets and necklaces.

Incidentally, this bright and delicate gem is the result of violent processes at extremely high temperatures. Larimar stone is found only in the volcanoes of Dominican Republic and geologists suggest that as the molten lava got pushed to the edge of the chimneys of the volcano, exposure to outer atmosphere caused crystallization. Over a period of thousand years the crystallized rocks started to unwrap due to erosion and as these reached the beaches of Bahoruco River the polishing invigorated. After undergoing this gradual natural process of refinement, this strikingly beautiful stone has evolved as we see it today.
Although, this stone was known and used by the primitive natives of these Caribbean islands much earlier but its discovery in the modern era was made by a Spanish trader Miguel Mendez in 1974. The local fisherman and traders used to find and trade beautiful Larimar stones on the beaches of the Bahoruco River and assumed that its source was the sea. But in 1974 Miguel took some local guides and tried to trace the origin of Larimar stones as he dismissed this theory. They tracked the river upstream for a few days but were unsuccessful until one day while returning from a fruitless errand; they took another track that led to the original location of the larimar stone. Since then, this location in the Dominic Republic has been found as the only source of larimar gems in the world.

Miguel Mendez named the stone after his daughter ‘Larissa’, while ‘Mar’, Spanish word for ‘sea’ was added due to its spectacular color resembling with the sea. After the discovery of the larimar deposit, the samples of the larimar gem were sent to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, where after careful analysis it was concluded that the samples belonged to the pectolite family. Although various forms of pectolite stones have been found in various corners of the globe, yet a pectolite with this brilliant blue color, mainly because of copper, is only specific to the mountain ranges of Dominic Republic.

Gemstones are broadly categorized by experts either as precious stones or semi-precious stones. There are only a few stones that have been classified as precious stones and have immense demand in the gems market. But semi-precious stones like Larimar gem also attract great demand mainly because of their beauty and relatively affordable price. Larimar gemstone due to its color resemblance with the sea, is believed to give its wearer mysterious ability to communicate and transmit messages. It is also firmly believed that the use of Larimar stone enables people to overcome their inner barriers and overcome self-imposed restrictions.

Larimar gemstones are mainly available in different shades and mixtures of blue and green. Due to Larimar gemstone’s breathtaking beauty and its metaphysical features this magnificent work of nature has inelastic demand throughout the world and it is being sold by jewelers in different forms and shapes that appeal to the buyers.

By: R.Hernandez

Larimar Gemstone

Caribbean this semi-precious gem has invited many visitors and tourists since its discovery. Now there is a large market for Larimar jewelry all around the world and it is available in the form of pendants, bracelets and necklaces.

larimar gemstone

Sterling Silver “Palermo” larimar & Tanzanite Ring ShopNBC.com Part of the larimar by marah lago Collection. Please note that many gemstones are treated to enhance their beauty. Click here for important information about gemstone.

Julieta Toledo Taxco Sterling Silver Larimar Heart Ring

Totally handmade of 925 sterling silver with a genuine natural Dominican Larimar gemstone. The ring is 1 inch high and a unique and exclusive design. To find out more about this lovely sterling silver heart motif ring, click here.

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Diamond and Gemstone Rings are both beautiful and unique. There are so many styles, cuts, and weights that is hard to choose just one. Let’s take a look at what a diamond is and briefly discuss what gemstones are. We can then progress to discussing diamond rings and gemstone rings or any combination of the two.

A diamond is the hard substance known. Diamond rings symbols of everlasting love and affection. Many men become overwhelmed when they go to purchase diamond and/or gemstone rings. There are many styles, band widths, and settings. The size and weight of the stone is also something that will play into the decision, but I digress.

Here is a quick overview of ring settings. Settings are defined as the manner in which a stone is place on a ring. An example of a setting is the traditional solitaire was engineered by Ifanes. It is a single diamond set in either a four or six pronged mounting high above the band. This allows the most light to refract in the stone. This setting is also very easy to clean and is also less expensive than other settings.

Another setting is the Diamond Accent setting. The stones used are smaller. The Channel Street Baguette style are stones set into the band that accentuates a center stone.

Gemstone settings are basically any setting with a combination of diamonds and other precious stones. The colors of the other stones enhance the beauty and sparkle of the diamond (i.e. rubies, emeralds, or sapphires). One way to do this is put a diamond in the center with the birthstones of the couple on either side. Later if children come along their stones could be added as well. Gemstones rings can be made with almost any precious stone such as Fancy Gems, Sapphires, Topaz, Emerald, Black Onyx or a Ruby.

The Truffle setting usually accompanies a three stone ring where a large stone has a smaller stone on either sided and is a design where loops on each of the stones connect the stones together. There are many combinations of metals, diamonds and gemstones that can be created. You need to decide what you want and what you can afford and come up with the perfect ring.

Both gemstones and diamonds can be cut in round, rectangular, or oval. Shapes such as hearts or diamonds are also used particularly in gemstones. Almost anything is possible.
When choosing a diamond ring or a gemstone ring you should consider your budget bearing in mind that taxes, insurance, and warranties will add to the cost of the ring. The likes and dislikes of the person who will receive the ring is crucial to your decision. For example you see this exquisite diamond ring that has the birthstone of the person to whom you will give the ring. It so happens that the ring is in your price range. Right next to it is a very simple diamond in a solitaire setting and it is very pretty.
Now you think the more exquisite one is perfect and you purchase it. When you give it you can’t help noticing a look on their face that you can’t explain. Later it is explained to you that simple designs are more the persons style so you return the ‘gaudy’ ring for the simple solitaire one.

So think about your budget. Think also about the recipient do they wear jewelry and if so is it simple in design or are they more the type that loves ornate pieces. Know that for the most part your choice will be gratefully accepted. Good luck!

By: Martin Smith

Engagement Rings - How To Interdict Fraud | The Amazing Diamond

Further different new trends and styles in the form of gemstones, earrings and pendants are also available at such online resources. The quality of diamond should be known by you before buying a diamond engagement ring. … These are the 4 Cs which determine the quality of a diamond. So keep these into consideration while buying diamond engagement ring for the love of your life. You can also design your own ring by choosing the setting, type and styles yourself.

The Quick and Simple Guide in Choosing Diamond Wedding Rings

While the wedding ring is an important aspect of the wedding preparations, it should not take too much time and consideration choosing one. Diamond wedding rings are the perfect symbol for commemorating love and commitment.

How To Choose The Wedding Ring Of Your Dreams | All About Weddings

Most designs have a series of diamond or gemstone accents set with rounds, princess cuts and baguettes. There are many choices to choose from and most people are successful at choosing a wrap that works will with their ring.

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