castaway
starting to shine!
Member since June 2015
Posts: 33 
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Post by castaway on Sept 11, 2016 16:38:05 GMT -5
Yesterday we went to Mason Mountain Gem Mine in North Carolina. $ 30.00 per person for all you can dig. The pile from the mine is not salted, but you can buy buckets that are salted. We don't like salted buckets, so we went for the native pile. You can find all the rhyolite you want, and good stuff. Many good size rubies and sapphires. Between the two of us we have over 30 of each. The family owners and the helpers are the nicest and helpful people you can find. If you come down here go here first, or before you leave. Our largest Sapphire was over 3500 carats. The second largest this year. imgur.com/Yj8RZlP |
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castaway
starting to shine!
Member since June 2015
Posts: 33
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Post by castaway on Sept 11, 2016 16:42:20 GMT -5
By the way. we are going to have to get a large ring setting for this
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Post by Psycho on Sept 12, 2016 20:02:10 GMT -5
But it will sure sparkle like the sun when cleaned up lol. It's huge !
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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sapphire
Sept 15, 2016 15:33:54 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 15:33:54 GMT -5
By the way. we are going to have to get a large ring setting for this The pic looks more like massive corundum crystal rather than glassy and gemmy. Is there some feature to indicate it is a gem rather than grit? |
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Sept 15, 2016 18:14:49 GMT -5
My dog and I went to Doc's Rocks in Blowing Rock, NC. Our take was similar. Properly cut--NC rubies and sapphires are worth about $75 per carat. I got $25-30 for cut Garnets. It will be interesting to see how many gems come from the big one.
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castaway
starting to shine!
Member since June 2015
Posts: 33
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Post by castaway on Sept 15, 2016 21:21:49 GMT -5
We are not sure if it is good or not. We are not in a hurry to have it checked. Not sure who could could do it
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Sept 16, 2016 9:31:41 GMT -5
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2016 10:22:10 GMT -5
We are not sure if it is good or not. We are not in a hurry to have it checked. Not sure who could could do it Polish a window into it. Will be glassy if it's gemmy. I sifted gem sapphires from gem mountain gravels (Montana). They looked glassy from the start. But they are alluvial and the river has put a frosted polish on them. Yours hasn't had that privilege. |
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castaway
starting to shine!
Member since June 2015
Posts: 33
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Post by castaway on Sept 16, 2016 19:20:57 GMT -5
I'll try to open a window tomorrow
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castaway
starting to shine!
Member since June 2015
Posts: 33
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Post by castaway on Sept 17, 2016 17:24:46 GMT -5
Took a little off, and so far it looks gray
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Post by orrum on Sept 18, 2016 4:04:04 GMT -5
Grey sapphires are nice when cabbed. What matters is if it is all fractured or not. Lotta dynamite use mining garnet for abrasives in the old days in that area.
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