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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Cleopatra adored the satiny green hue of the emerald. The oldest mines can be found in Egypt near the Red Sea and they are referred to as “Cleopatra’s Mines.” Unfortunately, she was not alone in her adoration. From 3000 to 1500 B.C., other pharaohs also enjoyed the rich gemstones so much so that the mines were completely depleted long ago. Luckily, these were not the only mines so you can enjoy elaborate emerald earrings in the fashion of Cleopatra or a simple emerald pendant. You don’t have to miss out on this envy-inducing green gemstone.

What are they?

The gemstone known as emerald is the consummate green gem. It is made up of beryllium-aluminium-silcates and is a member of the beryl family of stones. In the family, the emerald is typically the darker green and bluish green stones. The lighter ones are simply called green beryl.

Because pure natural beryl stones are clear, trace particles of vanadium, chromium and iron are what give the emerald its color. The most sought after color is a darkish green with a slight blue tint. These stones are well known for coming out of the mines in Columbia. If you can find a natural, untreated Columbian emerald ring of significant size, you will pay dearly, but it will be worth it.

Where do they come from?

So, if Cleopatra’s Mines are empty, where are these gorgeous green gems coming from? There are still mines located in Africa in countries like Zambia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. But today, the greatest supply comes from South America. Particularly, Brazil and Columbia are well known for the color and clarity of stones that come out of their mines.

Though South America and Africa are the top producers of the stones, there are other mines across Asia. Pakistan, Afghanistan and India boast their own supplies. Russia is also home to productive mines.

May’s Birthstone

Every month has a gemstone (or two) dedicated as an official birthstone for people born during that month. For May, emerald ring purchases are common as a birthday gift. But, there are other special occasions for which an emerald tennis bracelet might make a wonderful gift. Why? Because it is also the official gemstone designated to commemorate the 20th and 35th wedding anniversary.

Care and Cleaning

These lovely green stones one of the four original precious gemstones- diamond, ruby and sapphire being the others. However, it is also the least hard with a rating of 8. Now, that doesn’t mean they are fragile, they just require a little more tender-loving care. One reason they are more delicate is because they naturally have inclusions that weakens their strength. As a result, the agitation of an ultrasonic cleaner is not a good idea for their care.

Another issue to consider is that most of these gems go through an oiling treatment to help reduce the appearance of inclusions that are present in all emeralds. Using strong cleaners and even a steamer can remove the oils.

However you wear them, these gems are classic and sophisticated. In all shapes, sizes and shades; whether earrings or a gemstone ring, they go with everything.

Author: Andrew Stratton

Views from the Emerald Isle: Small and medium-size Businesses

It is said that there are actually forty different shades of green on the island, but few people go around counting. The landscape is rolling, with drumlins, hills and river valleys, and one is never far from the sea in Ireland.

Gracie 14 June 2009 7515p on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

kiwibyrd1 · Pro User says: a pretty cat, on a pretty rug! I love that shade of green, is it an emerald shade? Posted 27 hours ago. ( permalink ). view profile · edgarandron · Pro User says: Thank you very much for your comments.

Shade to Crave: Gorgeous Green

This emerald green shade is a perfect alternative to black or blue for summer. Shades by Barielle, nail polish, beauty, green nail polish · Stila Eye Shadow Duo in Seafoam, $20. Wake up your look with a bit of green shadow.

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