Malachite and Chrysocolla

Today we went to the Cold Springs Valley exit in Nevada (just outside of Reno) to find Malachite and Chrysocolla. I wasn't sure how successful we would be because the only other times I went to hounding on public lands without a guide to show me what I was looking for, I didn't find anything close to what I was looking for.

When we hopped out of the car we began finding little green rock chips. As we walked to the tailing piles we began finding larger pieces of green rocks. The we began finding blue rocks. The beautiful pieces of Malachite and Chrysocolla littered the hillside.

We quickly realized we could be selective about what we kept. So, we looked for a few big pieces for display and filled out bags with about three gallons on rocks that are just the right size to tumble and make beads out or or make cabochons out of. 

As we walked back to the car I kept wanting to pick up all the pretty blue and green rocks I saw. Then I realized I can come rock hound here whenever I want.

Once we got home I dumped all the rocks in a bucket of water for cleaning.

Opals and Sun Stone

Went to the Virgin Valley, Nevada to dig for opals. This was the second time going there. We dug at the Bonanza Mine and found some cool opals. We camped at the Virgin Valley Campground where camping is free. We collected a lot of Apache Tears at the campground.  I will tumble the Apache Tears in the rock tumbler then drill them, make beads and make a necklace out of them.

While at the campground we learned the Plush, OR was only about half hour out of our way. So, on the way home we went to Plush, OR and sifted for sunstone at the Spectrum Mine. We found a lot of pretty clear sunstone there.

When we got home I put all but a few of the sunstones into the rock tumbler with some of the lesser quality opals and some of the Apache Tears. I look forward to seeing how they all turn out.