NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Oct 27, 2019 14:11:51 GMT -5
Good day,
I had a chance to head out to Tonopah Nevada, with the local rock club, and spend the day at a paid dig site, owned by the Otteson family. Rumors from the first club trip (in June) were that some nice material could be found, and with only a days rest returning from Asia, I hopped in the Jeep and drove 300 miles to the site.
The route I would be driving up Hwy 95, North to Tonopah. The route has the distinction of being the "Worst Highway" in America:
Also also intersects with the "Loneliest Highway" in America:
But I found the trip to be very interesting and entertaining (maybe I am easily entertained..), and so I thought that I would shoot a little video and narrate the trip for anyone else who might not be familiar with this part of the country. So, here goes.
To summarize the trip, I had a great deal of fun over the past 24 hours or so. But I am still not quite entirely sure how I should feel about my findings. This is mainly because I have not put the rock to the saw just yet, and can't tell if some of the large rocks I picked up are of any value or not.
Time will tell, and I will update the results in this thread some day.
Thank you for stopping by!
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jimaz
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2018
Posts: 460
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Post by jimaz on Oct 27, 2019 18:33:35 GMT -5
Bill, was they site a flat fee or by weight? Your picks look promising.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Oct 27, 2019 23:10:44 GMT -5
I think you found some amazing rough. Do you know who to contact to arrange a trip?
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Oct 28, 2019 0:47:25 GMT -5
I enjoyed your video, thanks for making it! I think you got some great looking stuff! I love the green variscite, when I went years ago, I assumed what I found was turquoise, but it looked a lot like what you brought back!
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Oct 28, 2019 19:48:42 GMT -5
Bill, was they site a flat fee or by weight? Your picks look promising. Jim, the rate was flat rate fee, and it was lower cost than usual. This is due to it being a club meet, and having done this before once. We were allowed essentially 6 hours or so, and access to 2 sites. So, both the duration and cost are lower than usual.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Oct 28, 2019 19:50:50 GMT -5
I think you found some amazing rough. Do you know who to contact to arrange a trip? I didn't actually arrange the club trip. But the Otteson's have a website which can be used to contact them. They have a wide variety of claims which they regularly allow both individuals and groups to work. I would just give them a call. They could accomodate you or your group fairly easily I imagine.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Oct 28, 2019 19:53:09 GMT -5
I enjoyed your video, thanks for making it! I think you got some great looking stuff! I love the green variscite, when I went years ago, I assumed what I found was turquoise, but it looked a lot like what you brought back! Thank you for the nice words, Dee. I had fun out there, and making the video. If you wanted to share pictures, that would be nice if you had one or two handy. I am glad to hear that you had a chance to visit the Otteson's too!
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Oct 28, 2019 20:00:44 GMT -5
Update. I have taken all smalls which I didn't grind, and most all mediums to the small saw, and here is what I rendered out.
I am going to be able to make a lot of nice jewelry from the rough that I just cut up. A lot of it will need to be stabilized. Some not. A lot of it is lighter, but some of it darker. Overall, this is going to make some attractive cabs I think.
The best of the rock still needs to see the saw.
I am sure that better rocks can be produced by the larger pieces.
Overall, I am considering this a success, and a lot of fun.
I would recommend that anyone who lives in the vicinity of Central Nevada, give this mine tour a shot. You could probably name the type of rock (Turquoise, Varascite, etc) that you wanted a chance at digging up.
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Oct 29, 2019 1:55:45 GMT -5
I enjoyed your video, thanks for making it! I think you got some great looking stuff! I love the green variscite, when I went years ago, I assumed what I found was turquoise, but it looked a lot like what you brought back! Thank you for the nice words, Dee. I had fun out there, and making the video. If you wanted to share pictures, that would be nice if you had one or two handy. I am glad to hear that you had a chance to visit the Otteson's too! I'm having problems getting pics up here (getting back into Cloud thing) but I did post about it on a now unused blog! Here it is: rocknwire.blogspot.com/2016/06/royston-turquoise-mine-tour.htmlI have pics there. You did better than I did, I really love that green! Who knew it was variscite? Seeing your haul makes me want to go back again! Rock Hobby field trip?
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Post by miket on Oct 29, 2019 10:43:51 GMT -5
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Post by roy on Oct 29, 2019 14:54:32 GMT -5
cool thanks for sharing the trip
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Post by nowyo on Oct 31, 2019 18:40:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the report and pictures. Looks like you did good. Really like that area and need to get back over there. Never thought 95 was that bad myself, and We drive 50 every time we go to town. Nice color in that stuff.
Russ
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Nov 1, 2019 20:45:18 GMT -5
Great vid Bill thank you for sharing, and even better finds.. Nice work. Cheers!
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callmerob
starting to spend too much on rocks
I really like a dirt road
Member since September 2019
Posts: 131
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Post by callmerob on Nov 13, 2019 2:36:45 GMT -5
Thank you for an entertaining and informative video. Well done!
Always liked the deep green variscite. Nice rocks!
I think that some years ago they focused more on high-grade turquoise, and weren't too happy to find variscite. It's a pretty stone though, and as market demand changes, they are in position to supply it. Not sure about $/carat price, but I like it.
Edit: Ha! That roadside cinder cone always bugged me as I drove by. Could not figure out what it was until this year's trip. Thanks for freeze-framing it so I could get a better look. Yes it is being mined commercially. There are several more on the west side of US95 in the Amargosa area as you approach Beatty.
Edit: On one trip to Tonopah we had our son with us, and stopped at the Area 51 gas station/gift shop. With the Alien Cathouse Brothel in the back. Our son is intrigued, so he knocks on the door, is buzzed in by the Madame, has a quick beer while we stretch our legs. It's a slow Monday mid-day and the Madame tells him he's a cute young man and he could have some special prices. So he's acting all worldly and sophisticated and trying to figure out what exactly "around the world" means.
But we're ready to hit the road again, wife is texting him, his phone is buzzing on the bar, and he tells the Madame, "I gotta go. It's my mom".
He was pretty cool, right up to that point. LOL
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Nov 22, 2019 10:40:17 GMT -5
Thank you for the nice words, Dee. I had fun out there, and making the video. If you wanted to share pictures, that would be nice if you had one or two handy. I am glad to hear that you had a chance to visit the Otteson's too! I'm having problems getting pics up here (getting back into Cloud thing) but I did post about it on a now unused blog! Here it is: rocknwire.blogspot.com/2016/06/royston-turquoise-mine-tour.htmlI have pics there. You did better than I did, I really love that green! Who knew it was variscite? Seeing your haul makes me want to go back again! Rock Hobby field trip? Hey deedolce! That is a neat write up that you did with pictures of the whole trip and everything! I wondered what one of the rooms at the Mizpah Hotel must have looked like. The whole Hotel is such a cute period piece. Next time I am staying there. Wow! You were at one of the BIG dig sites I see. I heard that the Otteson's could work the Turquoise for you, by sawing and grinding the best pieces. I bet they have an experienced staff, since they do a great deal of this. Oh, the Turquoise that you picked up was great. You must have a lot of experience on the Genie, because I have trouble making some shapes with this softer material. Those three at the end look beautiful. My favorite is the blue /green one because it is most unusual. Thank you for sharing with us!
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Nov 22, 2019 10:45:25 GMT -5
Thank you for an entertaining and informative video. Well done! Always liked the deep green variscite. Nice rocks! I think that some years ago they focused more on high-grade turquoise, and weren't too happy to find variscite. It's a pretty stone though, and as market demand changes, they are in position to supply it. Not sure about $/carat price, but I like it. Edit: Ha! That roadside cinder cone always bugged me as I drove by. Could not figure out what it was until this year's trip. Thanks for freeze-framing it so I could get a better look. Yes it is being mined commercially. There are several more on the west side of US95 in the Amargosa area as you approach Beatty. Edit: On one trip to Tonopah we had our son with us, and stopped at the Area 51 gas station/gift shop. With the Alien Cathouse Brothel in the back. Our son is intrigued, so he knocks on the door, is buzzed in by the Madame, has a quick beer while we stretch our legs. It's a slow Monday mid-day and the Madame tells him he's a cute young man and he could have some special prices. So he's acting all worldly and sophisticated and trying to figure out what exactly "around the world" means. But we're ready to hit the road again, wife is texting him, his phone is buzzing on the bar, and he tells the Madame, "I gotta go. It's my mom". He was pretty cool, right up to that point. LOL callmerob: Now that is a cute and funny story. While I have stopped at the Alien Center a couple of times, I have not made it inside the Alien brothel yet, so your recollection is very entertaining. The punch line is priceless too. Thank you for sharing!
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