RenoRocker
off to a rocking start
Make today your best day.
Member since February 2004
Posts: 4
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Post by RenoRocker on Feb 17, 2004 9:42:42 GMT -5
Reno offers an abundance of sources for collecting. Being we are surrounded by BLM land, collecting locations are easily accessible. Many different types of agates, jaspers, opal, obsidian & chalcedoney can be found.I have started tumbling & want to say thanks to all here for the wealth of knowledge that is shared. what started out as a way to keep moving on maternity leave has developed into a fascinating hobby.
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Feb 17, 2004 10:03:59 GMT -5
When I visit my son in Roseville, CA we usually take a run up through Donner Pass and go to Lake Tahoe. Maybe next time I should pass on Lake Tahoe and go Rockin'. I've always been going to visit the "largest small town" but have never made it yet. Now I have a real reason to visit the area! What the heck, I never saw any reason to go to the moon until I started tumbling rocks!
Ron
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RenoRocker
off to a rocking start
Make today your best day.
Member since February 2004
Posts: 4
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Post by RenoRocker on Feb 18, 2004 8:32:51 GMT -5
Definitley give Reno a try. It gets a bad name from the gambling. It also doesnt help being the divorce capitol of the US... There are so many areas here that are still untouched by development. Terrific rock hunting just off the main roads. If you have the time, there are some great day trips for collecting. The Black Rock Desert(1 hour north) & the area around Berlin Ichthyasaur camping area(2 hours east) are two of my favorites.I usually get caught up in my collecting & these places are super for pitching a tent for an early start again in the morning.
If you plan on going to Roseville, pick up a copy of "Gem trails of California" if you dont already have one. I hear there are good spots along the Yuba river, which I believe is within a 1 hour drive from Roseville.
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Feb 18, 2004 12:29:48 GMT -5
Thanks! Looks like it's time to start planning another visit. I think I will pick up a copy of that book as well. Thanks for the information.
Ron
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Post by sandsman1 on Feb 18, 2004 12:33:35 GMT -5
ok reno get the spare bedroom ready ill be there in a week hahahaha-------------john
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RenoRocker
off to a rocking start
Make today your best day.
Member since February 2004
Posts: 4
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Post by RenoRocker on Feb 18, 2004 15:58:14 GMT -5
your welcome, Ron. I am more than happy to provide you with any information about this area that I can.
Hey John- You will be sharing that room w/ a 3 month old & that means you're on diaper duty.
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Post by sandsman1 on Feb 18, 2004 19:59:21 GMT -5
oooohhhhhhh no i allready went through that mines 14 when she said dad i went poop in bath room the first time i threw out my gas mask hahahahaha said never again. ill bring my tent hahahaha seeya john
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RenoRocker
off to a rocking start
Make today your best day.
Member since February 2004
Posts: 4
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Post by RenoRocker on Feb 19, 2004 8:16:48 GMT -5
I dont blame you for giving it up. It is very messy business.
Is the quality of rock better from the rock stores? Since I
have been picking them up off the ground, I dont have anything to compare to. Mine seem to be tumbling well.
When I figure out how to post my pictures, maybe I will get get some input from y'all.
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Feb 19, 2004 11:11:50 GMT -5
Hi Reno. I too have been working solely with rocks that I've collected. I really think that the only real difference with purchased rock, is that you can easily make a full load of rock that is all the same. This makes the process much cleaner with fewer problems. I can't ever find enough of one particular rocks for a load, so mine are always mixed. I then have the variables of diferent mineral properties and hardnesses to deal with. The other thing that purchasing can do, is get you rocks that simply can't be found in your area. Doesn't sound like you have that problem. Looking forward to seeing some of your rocks!
Ron
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Feb 19, 2004 12:01:37 GMT -5
I use, mostly the rock I find, and the difference is I have to knock it up a bit to get to the good stuff. I would hope if I'm buying rock, that the seller would be a little more selective. I have to 'trim the fat' so to speak on the big pieces to get the good quality inside.
But I think smacking a large rock with a hammer and chisel is theraputic! Some of the best chucks end up 25 feet away. "FORE!!"
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firecop
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2005
Posts: 103
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Post by firecop on Nov 8, 2005 0:21:12 GMT -5
Hey Reno!! I'm in Carson City! Do you know of any rock clubs or specific places to find good stuff? Im a noobie with a 6 year old so I dont know squat... I read in another thread about mine tailings. we sure have lots of them, so I may give it a try. anyhoo, good to meet you!
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J9
having dreams about rocks
Never met a rock I didn't like
Member since October 2003
Posts: 66
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Post by J9 on Nov 10, 2005 1:25:25 GMT -5
Hi Reno - I must concur, you have awesome rocks. Spent a long weekend over the 4th of July based in Austin. Came home with some great material. I'm a member of the El Dorado County Mineral and Gem Society. Some people from your area's club came along on the trip. Since I'm near Placerville, I'd love to hear more about locations closer to Reno. A 2 hour drive sure beats a 6 hour drive. Welcome Aboard
Janine
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Post by BAZ on Dec 11, 2005 11:06:20 GMT -5
Hey Reno, Have you ever been up to the Royal Peacock Mine? www.royalpeacock.com/ I am planning a trip in spring and am looking for some insight from anyone who has been before. |
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Post by sandsman1 on Dec 14, 2005 19:40:33 GMT -5
hey baz i just looked through that site looks like a great trip for a few days --- i wonder what chance there is of gettin some good opal for 110.00 a day to dig --- thats alot but if there plentyfull id give it acouple three days hahaha
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Post by Alice on Dec 15, 2005 15:34:06 GMT -5
wow, they must be confident that you'll find something worth while. I wonder if they charge $110 for kids who just aren't interested in digging (they just tag along w/ mom & Dad and just end up sitting there making designs in dirt with a stick) I know!... dig just outside the mine! don't pay an entry fee and keep all you want  |
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Dec 16, 2005 9:48:27 GMT -5
Hey Reno, Have you ever been up to the Royal Peacock Mine? www.royalpeacock.com/ I am planning a trip in spring and am looking for some insight from anyone who has been before. I was there for a day in October this year. Prices went up as it was only $90 for bank digging this last year, but I see $110 for next year- is it worth it? Well like so many things in Nevada, it is a gamble. My suggestion would be to skip the bank- save yourself $70 and go for the tailings piles. The disadvantage is that in the tailings you probably won't come across a big fresh vein or limb cast, but those are pretty rare anyway. The overburden is this REALLY dense clay that you need to break up and dig through, coming from the bank it is almost solid, but if its been out and dried it can be re-hydrated and screened though pretty easily. I brought home a bucket full of clay chunks that I'd seen hints of glassy rock in, once I processed it all down I had only a handful of poch gray petrified clay- one of which- about the size of a pinto bean has a couple of nearly microscopic flashes of blue fire. The guys digging the bank on each side of me each found larger purple/black crystal pieces, I'd guess both of them got more than their $90 worth, but like my luck at the slots, my trip was one to chalk up to experience. For anyone visiting or residing in Nevada I would highly reccomend the "Gem trails of Nevada" book, they list some 80 sites across the state, including 3 opal claims, and countless Agate, Jasper and Obsidian collecting sites. |
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Post by BAZ on Dec 17, 2005 13:05:34 GMT -5
Thanks Rally, I am glad to hear from someone who has been there.
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slim7309
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 116
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Post by slim7309 on Feb 9, 2006 18:41:42 GMT -5
Hello Reno,Have you been up to that Rainbow Ridge Opal mine or the Peacock Mine off Rt. 66 near the town of Denie-- looks like Rt. 37 west to get to the mine- also the Rainbow mine sells tailings person at $ 40.00 a head an kids half price -they'll sell you a load for $ 300.00 an that's for one or two persons- that's a good deal- ( i'm reading this - I was researching these mines a few weeks ago- I wanted to go prospecting again ) the Peacock mine gets $ 110. and that's just Bank Digging with a pick & shouvel & busting your butt-but with the Rainbow you can get a load foe 300.- and these loads are taken from the banks an dumped on a flat area near where you park- ya know 2 people a buck an a half each an they dump it next to your car -what more can you ask for- you can build yourself sifter or shaker an drink your beer & have a good old time. see ya sometime, Slim
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Post by BAZ on Feb 15, 2006 21:18:47 GMT -5
Hey Slim,
Look out on the internet for claims being sold around this area. I think I saw one going for 1-3 thousand recently, not bad considering if you pay to dig at one of these mines for a few days, you'd already have paid for one of these claims. Let me know if you head out there, I am really interested in claiming, or buying a few claims.
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Post by BAZ on Sept 10, 2006 12:25:42 GMT -5
Bumping this thread up for our new members from Nevada, howdy neighbors! |
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