Tonopah Field Trip to dig for Variscite
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- Tonopah Field Trip for Variscite - October 2019
Video tour and narrative for the day trip spent driving through the Nevada desert from Las Vegas to Tonopah, to participate in a paid dig for Variscite rock.
I try to capture some of the character of towns and scenery along the road which some have called the most boring stretch of road in America. Then I head out with the rock and gem club to a paid dig site, which is hosted by the Otteson family at one of their claims.
The purpose is to try to find some Variscite and possibly even some Turquoise.
I finish up by discussing my finds, as well as display some of the rough which I have started to finish on the grinder. Should make for some interesting jewelry when I'm finished.
Thank you for stopping by!
[Edit]
After cutting about half of the material on a saw, I have determined that this was a very successful mining visit. The rock is in most cases, better than the material which I rendered using the grinder in this video. Perhaps I will post my finds here later at some point.
But I would encourage anyone who lives near central Nevada, to contact the Otteson family and sign up for one of their mining tours. Prices vary, depending on what type of rock you are after (they have White Buffalo as well as Turquoise and Varascite), on their vast claims, and they are very generous in allowing people to dig through the tailings of their many mine sites. Simply Google search and you can find their website.
Thank you again for stopping by!
Note: Thank you for the comments regarding the trip. I've decided to post a couple of follow up videos today, because I mentioned that I would (here), but forgot to do so after a couple of years. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow! Really beautiful pieces. You could definitely make some fabulous jewelry out of these. Thank you for sharing your experience ♡
I appreciate the nice comment! Actually I have made some very pretty pendants from much of what was found. All said, for me at least, this turned out to be a fun and productive trip. I would highly recommend the Otteson family, as they have over 100 claims. Perhaps some day I would post some of my finished results. Thank you again!
9:10 is a (tiny) stamp mill for crushing ore
Thanks much for pointing this out. I stopped by (Tonopah) again once returning from a trip and found that this device was also produced by a very famous manufacturer of that time period. I appreciate you letting me now this! Thank you for taking the time!
@ 37.44 it's a 10 stamp Stamp Mill. Used to crush ore for refining.
Outstanding! Thanks much for pointing this out. I stopped by (Tonopah) again once returning from a trip to the Sierra Nevada's and even though the place was closed, I noted the manufacturer of the device, and did some research to find out it was a rock crushing mill. The device was also produced by a very famous manufacturer of that time period. I appreciate you letting me now this!
I align with you. The cost of going and paying to dig, tuff to feel great about. Being out in the open well that part is priceless.
I really empathize. It can be disappointing for sure. Hopefully with some more work on the stones, you got some real nice cabs.
Sorry for the late reply. It was just the money, really. I haven't really ever paid to dig something before (or since), so it was kind of sitting wrong with me. These days it would cost $100 more due to the price of gas alone. But I will go again some day. I've posted a couple of follow up videos today. Thanks for stopping by and dropping a comment!
Looks like you do not post anymore but great video.
Good day! You are correct. I only use this account to post gems and minerals topic related videos. I spend much of my free time in the hobby, and could honestly post very regularly, but I just can't find the time really. Most of these videos are only to support discussions at RockTumblingHobby dot Com, where I spend a lot of my free time posting. I appreciate the kind words! Thank you.
Highway US 95 is not the loneliest highway in Nevada. It used to be highway 50.
Good to know. I had no idea. At least there are some brothels spaced out on Hwy 95, to break up the monotony!
What you called a big motor. Is a stamp mill.
Thanks for chiming in! I love to know new stuff about mining and really didn't know at that time, what this machine would actually do. I always appreciate comments that help me learn new things!