I did some studying before this trip and found that our spot is in the Southern portion of a formation that runs all the way up to highway 26 and possibly even further North than that. Not having a lot of time to explore this time, we settled for just going back to the dig knowing that we’d find something. Something turned out to be a lot better than our first try at the pit.

Beginner’s luck doesn’t quite explain Jessie’s luck in finding a major pocket. She again had the biggest load to carry back to the car this time. While I had the biggest stone of the day – Jess once again topped me out with a spectacular green moss crystal. Her friend,Gina, was amazed and thrilled with her cache. While she came along expecting to find a few crystals, she was not prepared for the size of the stones she was finding. To tell the truth – neither were we.

For all Gina’s friends back home she said would never believe she actually found those herself — yeah, she did – and they were AWESOME!  I didn’t get pics of hers, but they are about the same trend as the ones in the pics below.

That said – we took some more pics for you all to enjoy.

These are my favorites for the day. The one on the left is the biggest single crystal of the day.

The crystal on the left was the biggest single of the day. It’s not the best crystal, however. It’s got a bit too many of the watery feathers in it to be clear at the size it is. The medium size crystals are much clearer than the larger ones.

These are Jessie's favorites from the day.

Jessie  had the biggest cluster (top left) and a lot of beautiful medium sized clear stones. She also got a lot of so-so stones that will probably end up being the start of what I call “driveway rock” collection. Those are the stones you toss in the yard somewhere for decoration. Non-hunters seem to love looking at these piles and picking something out for themselves to take home. There’s always party favors somewhere when you visit a rockhound’s home.

Let’s move on to the real prize of the day – also one of Jessie’s finds:

Gorgeous water clear crystal with green moss.

I have never seen a true moss quartz crystal before, and perhaps that isn’t the right technical name for it, but one look at that picture and I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s about the best description to be had for this gorgeous stone. It’s close to an inch wide and there is a crust, as you can see, but promises to be a stunning pendant piece when the layer is removed.

We did explore around the rock formation above the dig up by the main road this time. The view was spectacular. Almost spectacular enough to make me actually like being in California for awhile.

Veiw from the rock formation above the dig site.

And of course – Rickie had a great time and enjoyed a little more sun and hiking this time with the weather a bit cooler than last time. I think his smile says more about how the day went than anything else I can say.

Love this guys smile - he says it all for all three of us.

Um….if anyone should make it out to Copperopolis and find a folding army shovel……..It’s mine. Could ya let me know it’s been located?   I’ll be back for it – trust me  on that one!

I want to remind everyone to get their BEST pictures of their most awesome finds ready.   On  June 1st  we will start our CALENDAR PICTURE CONTEST.   The 13 pictures with the most votes will be featured in the 2011 Gem Hunter’s Showcase Calendar.  The Picture with the most votes will be featured on the cover.

Each picture will include a caption with the finder’s name, the region the stone was located, and any contact information – such as shop names and locations and/or websites that the winner would like to have included.  Free advertising and some high test bragging rights for those of you finding the most awesome gems and taking great photos.

Please do make sure that the pictures you send are of gems that YOU find.  RHS1 is not responsible for plagiarized  material. If you use someone else’s pictures or info and get caught doing so, it will be YOU that is responsible, not RHS1.   I’m pretty sure our rockhound community is above this kind of thing, but legally – I have to put up this statement, so here it is.

TO ENTER THE CONTEST
1. You must be a member of RHS1 to participate in this contest.  Registration is free – membership is always free. Make sure to put us in your email so your confirmation doesn’t go to your spam folder.  If you have difficulties registering,  just drop me a line and I will activate you myself.

2. Send your picture  to us via the “contact US” button by June 1st, 2010.  Include your username,  the name of the mineral specimen, and what region you found it in.    We will accept 2 pictures from each contestant.

Pictures will be posted on the Photo Gallery on June 1st  with instructions about how to vote.  Voting will continue until the last day of August 2010 – On September 1st  we will announce the winners.

HAVE A ROCK SHOW COMING UP IN 2011?  STAY TUNED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO HAVE YOUR SHOW LISTED ON THE CALENDAR so nobody will forget to visit your show!

I’m looking forward to some spectacular pictures this year!

For any of you who used to be members before the crash, the forums and photo gallery are back online, too, and some of our old pals are already back and waiting for the rest of you.  In fact a few of us already have a spring trip already in the planning, so you have a lot to catch up on.  We’ve got members coming in from all over so come on in.  You might just meet a great rock hunting pal here. I have – lots of them.

Now if ya hit the front page of the forum you’ve already seen that we have our first annual calendar out for 2010.  This year we can thank current members for the awesome pictures.  Around June there will be a contest to decide the 2011 pics so members need to start getting their best specimens ever dug up and ready for the show down.  Details will be online when the time for the contest gets near.

You can find that calendar right HERE

And of course, last but by far not the least – the photo gallery is online again, too, and there are members in there already stocking it with pics that will make you want to drop everything except a snow shovel and get back out into the fields.  Of course, for those of us up here in the North about all we can do is talk about that one for awhile, but you in the South have your chance to make us sick about the weather for a few months.  Don’t be too harsh – spring isn’t that far off and pabacks are……..well, you know.

I’d like to make mention of our site vendors – BlackCatMining.com and Wire-sculpture.com who are bringing you all  the rockhound and jewerly making equipment and supplies you need to keep your hobbies, crafts and businesses running smoothly.  And just to keep  the FTC  cozy and warm – yes, we do get small commissions to help support RHS1.

Once you get your own rocks and products to sell,  you can stop by at Dragonsayeauctions.com and put those beauties online for sale – you’ll find em on the right side of the front page as always.

If you haven’t noticed yet, the RHS1 Connector newsletter is also back up and in full swing.  This month you’ll find a free ebook to download about Lake Superior Agates from John Marshall.  He really put together an awesome piece of work there and you are just missing out if you don’t grab a copy.  Free is one heck of a good price, especially for a work this well done.  (Don’t worry if you hate to read, the pictures are quite enough to tide you over!).

You can find that newsletter right HERE

Well, for now I think that’s about it.  Looking forward to seeing you all back in the forums again.  Keep your eye on the Gazette, too, though – ya never know what we’ll be talking about here.

Until next time……

Life’s Short Rock Hard

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