ivinsrockhound
off to a rocking start
Ready to get out & explore with the cooler Fall weather! Based in SW Utah, but ready for a road trip
Member since November 2024
Posts: 20 
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Post by ivinsrockhound on Nov 7, 2024 22:39:28 GMT -5
Just relocated from SW Florida to SW Utah (Ivins to be exact) earlier this year, loving the red rock country and multitude of rocks here! Traded in my shell and shark teeth hunting for shiny rocks instead! Always looking to get out an explore in Utah, N. Arizona, or Nevada. I try to spend at least a weekend (or two) a month on driving expeditions to find new rocks, minerals, and gems. I've purchased quite a few of the state rockhounding and gem trails books to start with places to look, but would love to connect with some die hard and in the know rockhounds to explore off the beaten path areas too! I've recently purchased a few tumblers, both rotary and vibe and finding it is both rewarding and frustrating depending on what I'm trying to tumble! I won't give up and eventually with the help of others I'll get it down pat! Thanks for having a great forum with advice, pics, and more! Can't wait to meet some of you in person! -Mark Cheesehead since birth, Floridian since 2000, and rockhound since I can remember! ![]() P.S. planning a weekend expedition to Kingman, AZ later this month to hunt for Fire Agate, Turquoise, and anything else in the area! Any advice or locals interested in showing someone some spots is always appreciated! Always willing to bring a packed cooler(s) and spring for lunch! Still figuring out posting pics, hope this works:     Here's some recent finds (Obsidian & Jaspers):  Recent finds and first tumble attempts!
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Post by opalpyrexia on Nov 7, 2024 22:48:23 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington. Also originally from Wisconsin, and subsequently other places.
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Post by chris1956 on Nov 7, 2024 22:58:23 GMT -5
Welcome from Missouri.
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Post by whalecottagedesigns on Nov 7, 2024 23:17:54 GMT -5
Welcome from Dubai!
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Post by vegasjames on Nov 8, 2024 0:09:31 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
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Post by Pat on Nov 8, 2024 0:14:35 GMT -5
Welcome from California.
Not a tumbler, but there are EXPERTS here. Good luck!
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Nov 8, 2024 8:49:04 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington State! My wife does the shell collecting here so I can focus on the rocks.😁
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Post by drocknut on Nov 8, 2024 9:14:38 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from NW Arizona. I just moved to the Kingman area but haven't been out rockhounding in this area very much because it's been so hot this year.
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Post by liveoak on Nov 8, 2024 10:32:33 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Florida, Have fun finding rocks  Patty |
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Post by 1dave on Nov 8, 2024 11:42:05 GMT -5
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ivinsrockhound
off to a rocking start
Ready to get out & explore with the cooler Fall weather! Based in SW Utah, but ready for a road trip
Member since November 2024
Posts: 20
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Post by ivinsrockhound on Nov 8, 2024 12:13:04 GMT -5
Thanks 1dave! Already a paying member of the SURC, haven't been able to make any of the recent trips but plan to soon! Also enjoyed the SURC rock show last month and the one in Hurricane earlier this month! A bit of a drive for me to Cedar City for the rock shop but I've enjoyed meeting some members and learning how to use the equipment! |
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ivinsrockhound
off to a rocking start
Ready to get out & explore with the cooler Fall weather! Based in SW Utah, but ready for a road trip
Member since November 2024
Posts: 20
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Post by ivinsrockhound on Nov 8, 2024 12:16:03 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from NW Arizona. I just moved to the Kingman area but haven't been out rockhounding in this area very much because it's been so hot this year. Thanks drocknut! Always happy to plan a weekend trip to explore the Kingman area for Fire Agate, Turquoise (not sure it's easily found, but happy to look), or anything else that happens to be of interest! I agree the heat this Summer made it more difficult than I imagined to get out and explore the desert for long periods of time! |
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ivinsrockhound
off to a rocking start
Ready to get out & explore with the cooler Fall weather! Based in SW Utah, but ready for a road trip
Member since November 2024
Posts: 20
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Post by ivinsrockhound on Nov 8, 2024 12:27:53 GMT -5
Welcome from Washington. Also originally from Wisconsin, and subsequently other places. Thanks and On Wisconsin and Go Pack Go! No Packers game this weekend means more time to get out and find rocks! |
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Post by drocknut on Nov 8, 2024 15:15:12 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from NW Arizona. I just moved to the Kingman area but haven't been out rockhounding in this area very much because it's been so hot this year. Thanks drocknut! Always happy to plan a weekend trip to explore the Kingman area for Fire Agate, Turquoise (not sure it's easily found, but happy to look), or anything else that happens to be of interest! I agree the heat this Summer made it more difficult than I imagined to get out and explore the desert for long periods of time! Not sure about fire agate but I think you'd have better luck going to the mine and buying turquoise although I've heard of it being found in the washes around Kingman. We've only been out hounding once and came back with some pyrite and ore rock from an abandoned mine outside of Kingman. I was hoping to get some more location information from the Kingman gem and mineral club but so far I haven't gotten much from them. Seems like we went from summer heat to winter cold with no fall in between. Don't know if you'd be interested but I recently found out about a place called Glitter Mountain that is about 25 minutes outside of St George and is an old gypsum mine where the owner lets people collect for a small fee on the honor system but also has a couple of outings where they sponsor group digs, I think they are on Facebook. |
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,670
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Post by RWA3006 on Nov 8, 2024 22:35:35 GMT -5
Mark, welcome to RTH. I used to spend a lot of time rock hounding in your area when my inlaws were in St. George. You can head West and go past the Shivwits reservation and Gunlock reservoir. Go farther West toward Jackson Peak and the other prominent peak that's flat on top. There's all kinds of agate and jasper under the big power lines that is good for tumbling.
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ivinsrockhound
off to a rocking start
Ready to get out & explore with the cooler Fall weather! Based in SW Utah, but ready for a road trip
Member since November 2024
Posts: 20
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Post by ivinsrockhound on Nov 9, 2024 9:27:21 GMT -5
Mark, welcome to RTH. I used to spend a lot of time rock hounding in your area when my inlaws were in St. George. You can head West and go past the Shivwits reservation and Gunlock reservoir. Go farther West toward Jackson Peak and the other prominent peak that's flat on top. There's all kinds of agate and jasper under the big power lines that is good for tumbling. Thanks! Appreciate the reply and info! I've explored around Gunlock and have been trying to tumble some of the hematite and red jasper I've found, but still trying to perfect my routine, mostly pitted stones after 2-3 weeks in my rotary tumbler or drastically smaller pieces than when I started, guess I'll have to go find some more! I'll definitely plan a day trip out towards Jackson Peak and the surrounding area, so many random forest roads I never quite know which one to take that may produce new finds! |
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birdie
starting to shine!
Member since September 2024
Posts: 47
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Post by birdie on Nov 9, 2024 21:23:50 GMT -5
Welcome from South Dakota 🌲🌲🌲
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titaniumkid
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 512
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Post by titaniumkid on Nov 12, 2024 5:13:59 GMT -5
Hi from Australia  |
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 12, 2024 22:37:39 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! Those Snowflake Obsidian pieces are SICK! |
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Post by 1dave on Nov 13, 2024 7:26:18 GMT -5
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... to the New Guys from The ChatBox V.2 Crew