sunrisedawn
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 55
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Post by sunrisedawn on Jun 5, 2008 17:42:23 GMT -5
I think they are in North Carolina. I have ordered a bucket of gemstone from there. I have to say about 90% to 95% of it was unusable rock. It is now part of my driveway. The first time I ordered I did not choose to have a stone cut, and this I choose the package to have a stone cut. Are there any other dealers that sells buckets of gem/rocks? Has anyone else ordered from there? I did get some beautiful gems out of the last bucket. I wonder if the quality of the stones has to do with the package ordered? Here is what I got from a five gallon bucket. I got about a half gallon of raw stone. It cost $114. Just wondering if this is a good deal. I did have fun with digging through the bucket to see my treasures. Dawn  |
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oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
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Post by oldgrouchy on Jun 6, 2008 5:36:59 GMT -5
This is very typical of the "bucket mines" that line tourist routes through the N.C. mountains. I have taken my kids to Gem Mountain several times when they were quite young and not up to serious field digging. I have been there and seen the rocks being unloaded from 55 gal. drums with labels from Brazil. I do not see much in your piles that could be faceted, which is also typical. I have gotten BETTER quality material from the Rio Doce mine just up the road from Gem Mountain, but I do not know if he ships buckets. The owner there is also owner of a mine in Brazil and does sell TOP QUALITY facet rough from his own mines.
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sunrisedawn
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 55
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Post by sunrisedawn on Jun 6, 2008 10:26:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip. I am glad to know what I am getting. I have so very much to learn.
Dawn
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sunrisedawn
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 55
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Post by sunrisedawn on Jun 6, 2008 11:18:46 GMT -5
Rio Doce does have buckets to ship out. I called them cause I could not find anything on their site. Very nice lady named Sarah answered all my questions. A 2 gallon bucket is $15 and a 4 gallon is $30. 30 emerald 2 gallon is $30 , aqua marine 2 gallon is $30, $120 5gallon w/2 cut stones from your bucket.
Dawn
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Post by sandsman1 on Jun 6, 2008 15:31:19 GMT -5
hey dawn if you took the 114.00 you could buy some nice rock and alot more then you found but if you had fun diggin in the dirt and cleaning off the stones you found there then it was worth it -- the fun part is what its all about
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lapidopterix
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 216
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Post by lapidopterix on Jun 6, 2008 23:31:23 GMT -5
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oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
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Post by oldgrouchy on Jun 14, 2008 6:28:30 GMT -5
I have a friend who has bought several buckets of the sapphire gravel and she is happy with her yield. The sapphires yielded are SMALL, but they are very clear and could be faceted. The resulting stones would be under 1mm though. I personally CANNOT cut a stone that small!!
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sunrisedawn
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 55
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Post by sunrisedawn on Jun 16, 2008 20:56:57 GMT -5
I just got in a box of the same kind of rough, I got it from Rio Doce. It was worse than Gem Mountain. I'll get some pictures of it up soon. I guess you can't be too disappointed when you order stuff sight unseen. It's gamble I guess. Oh well, on to the next adventure.
Dawn
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oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
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Post by oldgrouchy on Jun 21, 2008 5:54:08 GMT -5
Sorry you got a bad bucket from Jerry too! I have tumbled rocks from buckets sluiced there and had them come out great! I have faceted some pieces of amethyst also, so there is good stuff available from time to time. If you get the chance to actually come to N.C. I would be glad to take you to a few places to find your own material.
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