NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 27, 2010 22:01:13 GMT -5
My Mom and Dad are recently retired, and this year decided to try the "snowbird" gig.
They are staying near Casa Grande AZ, and I've been trying to get them out to do a little collecting for me. They're completely ignorant when it comes to rocks (I mean that in the most respectful way), and I think it would be cool if I could work some rock they found.
So I guess basically I'm just wondering if there's any sites near there worth collecting at, or are they going to have to drive quite a ways to find anything?
If anyone has any areas they can suggest, I'd be most appreciative. And by all means, PM me if you prefer - I'm not looking to find out secret locations or root out any priviliged, hard earned information.
Thanks,
Nate
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Post by Condor on Mar 3, 2010 22:06:45 GMT -5
They're right there near Tucson, and although I don't know of any collecting site nearby, there is the Discount Agate House which sells some really good rough at excellent prices. They have an outdoor area with bins and bins full of different kinds of material. That might be your best bet.
Condor
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 4, 2010 0:08:00 GMT -5
Never collected around there but a friend gave me directions to a green jasper location. Hwy. 347 to Maricopa. Turn West on Hwy. 238. Halfway between mile marker 24 and 25 park. There are supposed to be three small hills across the street. You have to walk around the right end of the hills. Jasper is on back side of middle hill. Friend is a mountain goat and likes to walk. Other than that there is always the Gem Trails AZ book. Also, if they are staying in an RV park, many in AZ have a lapidary club so have them check that out too.
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Post by Woodyrock on Mar 4, 2010 2:26:33 GMT -5
Sort of like John said. Have them link up with a club, and go out with them. The down side is they might get addicted, and keep the rock.
Woody
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 5, 2010 21:48:37 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. There is a lapidary shop there at the RV park. I've told them to talk to people there and ask where to go, but they're a little shy when it comes to asking for help like that. John and Condor, thanks for the info. I'll let them know.
Nate
P.S. I'll cehck the local library for the gem trails book. Haven't had much luck looking online.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 5, 2010 22:49:17 GMT -5
Diamond Pacific carries many rock hounding book in back of their catalog.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 6, 2010 10:11:33 GMT -5
Nate, you should explain how friendly almost all rock hounds are. I'm sure if your parents went to the club and told them they wanted a "couple of local rocks" for their son they would be well received, probably dragged out hounding or loaded down with rocks. You could probably interest some in a rock exchange like a box of your locals for their stuff.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Mar 6, 2010 21:47:37 GMT -5
Thanks John. I have mentioned to them to just ask anyone in the lapidary shop. We'll see what happens.
I'm going to find the "rules" of rock collecting in AZ that I ran across during my searching, and e-mail it to them too. I think another part of it is not knowing if it's legal or not. Here in Wisconsin most land is private, so the idea of 1000's of acres of BLM land is a whole new concept to us.
Nate
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