$40,000 Gem Stone Fossil Found.

[@steelwheelsminnesota]

Mr Hurd my boys have been watching your channel, now all they want to do is go outside and dig in the dirt. I love it, thank you for sharing this.

[@dawndixon402]

😁👋👍👍👏👏💕🙏🏻Big time thank you. For sharing these beautiful jems, with us. I am extremely thankful that everyone was able to get to safety. The storm pictures were great. Thank you to everyone who made trip possible. The miners were really nice. I appreciate them letting you take part and make a video. Thank you guys.

[@ejais]

interesting laws around the legalities of digging for ammonites in Alberta. A lot of interpretations about being a custodian and who is able to sell them due to fact they are recognized as a protected gem in Alberta. I saw an interesting story about a blood tribe member and his journey into being a ammonite prospector on the Lethbridge news. Quite the process to uncover the beauty in this gem.

[@_TONY_Az]

Good stuff Dan your doing such a wonderful job bringing Canada's gems out to the public ty

[@TylerDollarhide]

Ammonites are so common here in northeast Texas, though much less pretty looking, that they're often found in gravel roads in the country side. Unfortunately it's been in the 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the past couple of months that I haven't been able to go fossil hunting. I was so jealous at first that not only do northern states and Canada have much better gemstones than Texas, but also ammonites that are so common here. But since it's normally illegal to collect them in Canada, I feel much better that it's pretty much all we have in Texas.

[@ACMaddocks]

Lots to be found in central Texas too, like in the Glen Rose limestone.... but always in poor states of preservation, with no shell (or color) :/

[@firstlast-bh6uv]

North Carolina is the same way with quarts crystals found in every yard

[@battedtomcatnlnl153]

Ey. Don't complain. I am Dutch and life In The Netherlands and we have only 1 place for Pyrite and is closed. We have only fossiles here. You can find minerals but you need to go to the big rivers that come from Germany

[@tedc7714]

We picked up a bunch of amonites in Texas west of Denton on some leased hunting property. They were complete but nothing special in them. They were coming out of a clay bank. Must have been a mass extinction some time way wayback In time..

[@susanturcotte3176]

My apologies everyone, for not getting to see the very end of the premiere and say goodbye! Family calls and arrivals for Tim's funeral started. Thank you for all the support and prayers! Dan, I just watched the video again and saw your tornado pics! That was a really close cloud! So glad you are safe and could share an awesome day finding brilliant pieces! The Hurd Herd loves you! Blessings from Alabama ❤️

[@shanelocke237]

Very well said champ

[@OverMyDadBody]

My condolences. No need to apologize.

[@markpashia7067]

That sure looks like the area around Drumheller. Was there to see the Hoodoos in 2017 and visited some old coal mine tourist traps as well. Beautiful country. Amazing to see such a rift in the wide open plains like that.

[@PDLM1221]

I find this amazing really cool neat way of finding Gemstones and fossils. Very interesting ! Thanks Dan for being this to us!

[@caseypayton6259]

Just loving this series of Ammolite videos!

[@jeremypincock323]

I Love to watch your videos so entertaining and people can learn a lot because you explain the processes so well thank you

[@beansdad70]

I’ve always been fascinated by and loved ammonite fossils, but these that have all of that color! That is some beautiful gemstone. My small piece is en-route! Great experience Dan, thank you!

[@samsonian]

OK Dan, I came up with some ground rules on whether to get worried or to just press on regardless: 1) If you see houses flying, worrying may be a good cautionary step. 2) If all color drops out of your vision, you may be in trouble. 3) If you see any women with a green face, either walking or flying around with a broom and wearing a pointy hat; spit on her and see if she smokes. 4) If you hear the opening bars to the album ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ by Pink Floyd, tune in and drop out! 😂😂 Cheers! 🖖😎👍

[@joshcline8764]

Spit on her and see if she smokes. Hahahaha. Nice.

[@wrxs1781]

Also Kansas is nice this time of year.

[@zxcpiggy]

this might be my dream job because of watching this channel I found quarts and smokey quarts a while ago i was never into rocks but finding it while just going out in the woods for a walk really got me hooked on it me and my buddies sat their along the creek digging for hours lots of days this summer wonder what else i can find🤔🤔

[@Merojewelleryworkshop]

Good job man keep it up 👍

[@lifewithankylosingspondylitis]

Thanks for these videos. I see snippets of where they go but not the cool footage of all this. I am a FB friend of Chris and I am from Ontario Canada and I have been a silver cove customer ordering from silver cove for about 5 years. Love seeing this more detailed and how it's done! Nice to randomly find your channel

[@maineiacts]

Hi Dan and Folks affected by the latest Wildfires around Kelowna/ Okanagan....Prayers and Safety Blessings offered up!!! Thinking of you folks !!!😘🙋‍♀️💚- Mindi Iowa,U.S.🇺🇸🇨🇦 Going to be quite hit the next few days down here in the upper Midwest and South..Craaazy Weather.. Somehow, hope the hurrican/ tropical storm system near Calf.makes rain for you folks in B.C., Alb,/ Id.,Mt..Hugs!!

[@valiantwarrior4517]

So beautiful. I wish I could afford even a small pendant of ammolite. It’s amazing that ammonites fossilize with this material.

[@scottishwifie14]

Ammolites are amazing I love the colours remind me of opal, I do have opal shells and also an Ammonite fossil which has a thin layer of iron pyrite’s my sister found NE England.

[@Kate-xe3wd]

I like your intro tune. These treasures are gorgeous. I never knew Ammolytes were so precious. I've seen some in Florida but they were white. I like the colored ones.

[@gilbertmelara]

What up Dan thank you for this new video wow is incredible that they are so many beautiful hen fossils in that wall 👍

[@lifestooshort44]

Very cool! I run an ammolite mine in southern Alberta also...our setup is a bit larger than this one though. Very cool to see ammolite on the bow River banks though!!

[@bismargoldmining]

wow amazing my friend, very good video my friend,, thank you for sharing the video my friend. greetings one hobby.🤝💪👍🇮🇩

[@jameswelch1054]

I love the ammolite videos. I know they are very soft, and would like to see how they are hardened to make gems?

[@seankearney2592]

Hi Dan Hope you and your Family are Safe...Best of Luck were praying for you all here in Ireland...

[@beforethunder4987]

Cool video! That torrential downpour looks like Tennessee. Small fast moving storms that pack a punch. See people pulled off the side of the road a lot here. Loved the video!

[@darrellbrixey5341]

Thank you for sharing this awesome content Dan

[@josephcormier5974]

Just beautiful Dan thanks for a great video six stars brother

[@dustinfindsrocks]

Ammolite is an absolutely beautiful and fascinating gemstone. One of my favorites

[@sharynhay4872]

This was really interesting. I never heard of that stone. Keep the variety coming!

[@jayarnett4157]

Super interesting Dan. Great video. TYVM

[@EdWolfram]

Opal filled shells would also be biological gems as well as some of the wood opal can be gem.

[@Travluminatii]

This is the only natural source of ammolite tho

[@Danhurd]

There is only one "Organic Gemstone" classified as precious. Here is an article to read. geology.com/gemstones/organic-gemstones/ (pearl is now considered Semi Precious, and Opal is a mineral, not organic)

[@EdWolfram]

@@Danhurd Thanks for the info sir. I would have guessed since the ammonite is silica replacement of a sea creature and opal shells are the same exact process they would be classified the same. Science is a fickle practice. Is it still Part of the remaining shell that has color and not a silicon replacement?

[@ayottend]

Organic gems include Pearl, one of the classic precious gems. That, and turquoise are the two gems that can rank up with diamond, corundum, and beryl

[@RICDirector]

Dont forget topaz. The fire even in clear colorless stone is seriously impressive.

[@AmyBG88]

So cool!!! Love this one. Thanks, Dan!

[@LiamCamilleri-q1w]

Interesting and educational, things like coal, how to spot etc.... Thank you for sharing and educating. Thumbs up 👍

[@lutherwalker9371]

Love your show, now I know what I have seen before 👍🏿thanks. Also I was wondering if you have heard anything about Andy .

[@nunyabisnass1141]

Cleaning up and polishing these fossils can take tens of to a hundred hours. You have to pay for that time too, including the extraction and fuel and claim permitting.... that's why they're expensive.

[@markpashia7067]

Yeah, the final sale price is deceiving with all the work involved. The net profit is much lower I am sure. Still good or they would not do it, but not 40k in half hour.

[@TheUncleRuckus]

If you get super glue on fingers or wherever don't use harsh chemicals to try and remove it, just use Sandpaper, Emory Cloth or a Nail File to sand it off. Removing it that way won't harm the skin. 👍👍

[@robertsnearly3823]

There at the end, I heard a voice in my head that sounded like a well loved Spy. He said, It missed em' by THAT much! 😊

[@amandak.4246]

this makes me way more impressed by the intact, undamaged ammolites i've seen before. seems hard to mine them with no damage

[@stephsexoticpets]

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT! I wanted to yell "DAN RUN!!!" while you were doing your outro lol! SUCH BEAUTIFUL TREASURE

[@2dbuy]

I read somewhere ammolite only occurs in alberta canada. Shale is found all over the place and so are ammonites fossils what was so special about the conditions in Alberta that made ammolite only form there?

[@BlacK_SwAnimuZ]

I've found ammolite in Colorado

[@BlacK_SwAnimuZ]

What is the white iridescent shell that sometimes is found from baculites considered?

[@ne1sail]

Very interesting and informative. Thank you.

[@davidsolomonii5618]

You have a Good Eye Dan nice prospecting Dan

[@northernerinnc3179]

Pics at the end looked like you WERE in Kansas, Toto! Amazing how much those stones/gems go for!

[@samGold27]

Hi how are u , a question plz how to use or from where I can get the satellite site to check if my land has gold or anything ???

[@glennwoods2462]

Hope you and your family are safe from the wildfire.... Sounds really scary.... Take care and wishing you the best..... ✅✅👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@maryglo1]

Fascinating! Thank you! Well done.

[@Brian_the_Rockhound]

I love yur videos bro. You always find amazing stuff. The colors on these are insane

[@wccross4147]

I am struck by a few observations about the mining of these fossils. 1- there is a considerable up front expense before anything is found. 2- digging those specimens is hard work ! 3- as mentioned previously, just getting the raw materials out is the first step in turning those rough rocks into the valuable end products that can yield such financial benefit. Tornadoes were just frosting on the cake....

[@ToniM-qr7zo]

I have a 6 in ammonite fossil from a flea market and I wonder if it was professionally cleaned if it would shine inside like that 😮❤

[@robertglesener]

That green sky is a warning for tornadoes! It was close.

[@vonBelfry]

I can tell my question will be answered with a resounding "no" because all of this is forming in shale, but were there any stories of them getting a full, intact ammonite that didn't need to be pieced together?

[@stevenwood2176]

Hope a pt 2

[@slimwantedman6694]

Good morning from Southeast South Dakota

[@GemstonePhilosophy]

Hey Dan, just curious if you've heard of ammolite in Utah? I operated a mine where we find prionocyclus wyomingensis up to 8 feet in diameter and beautiful aragonite layers which are absolutely cabochon quality (not just doublet or triplet material). I have such a specimen for sale at Love Rocks Gift Shop in Manti, Utah right now, but it is a near- surface find (about 5 feet deep), so the quality is lesser, but still spectacular. What I really wanted to know is if the oil shale in Alberta is also Mancos shale? It's all part of the Great Western Seaway, so it's all part of the same Cretaceous period aquatic deposit stretching across North America.

[@AJShiningThreads]

Wow! ❤❤❤ what a fantastic series!

[@BlacK_SwAnimuZ]

Amazing video, Dan! What kind of glue and accelerator?

[@ludwigvanzappa9548]

Fascinating! Thank you!

[@jaratt85]

I wonder if that stuff fluoresces under shortwave UV like opal does.. if so a noodling machine would be very useful for them to get all the pieces.. (a blacklight room with a conveyor and trommel.. the trommel drops the material onto the conveyor after knocking off the dirt) It amazes me how the values are so much less for that than real opal, especially black opal. A $40k black opal is only the size of the end of your finger, smaller or slightly larger depending on color, pattern and flash.

[@DownWithTheClown100]

Dan as far as I can tell, according to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, you can surface find Ammonite and Ammolite in Alberta. However, you are a custodian of the “rock” and cannot sell it or remove it from Alberta. Please let me know if I am wrong. BTW I love your videos and keep up the great work and content, you rock! Sincerely, Micheal Fels.

[@NVMDSTEvil]

You are correct, if its on the surface it can be collected. There are ways to apply for permit to sell/remove a surface find from Alberta. Dan sounds like he is parroting what he's been told from the Ammolite miners which is ok because there are huge fines you can get nailed with by doing anything improperly and its better to be safe than sorry. Kind of wish I knew Dan was here that day, i'd have dropped by lol.

[@Danhurd]

all I can tell you is what I have been told by the experts in the industry. I know Chris has be working with the authorities to change the laws and open things up some.

[@NVMDSTEvil]

@@Danhurd DIdnt mean to sound like a jerk btw, i'm over tired from harvest hours and it sounds a bit meaner now that I read it a second time sorry lol :)

[@christophersherratt7299]

Dan why haven't they got a water set up with jet washer that way they would see a lot more colours in the wall they can remove by hand instead of the big digger 😮????

[@christinemartin7065]

Friggin gorgeous fossils! Super interesting how you mind the gem

[@jkaustok]

One of the coolest double whammies of geology

[@valiantwarrior4517]

Those gentlemen are good at their job.

[@DR_SOLO]

Good morning from the hottest recorded temp in the USA, Nevada.

[@1944chevytruck]

HOLY CRAP!

[@amberandrews6842]

Fascinating!! Thank You!

[@TheMadLiteralist]

Note that the US Government classifies gems for purpose of tariffs, and makes an explicit exception where amber, meerschaum, and jet are the three gems not even considered 'semiprecious'.

[@jeffbybee5207]

Sorry if I'm dumb but is the gem the mother of pearl lining of the shell fossilized. Or is it deposited groundwater mineral or what? Thankyou

[@DrachenGothik666]

The gem is the nacre--the mother of pearl coating of the shell of the Ammonite animal that was fossilized.

[@erroneous6947]

Good question. It’s a natural part of the shell. Animals can excrete a harder form of calcium carbonate in their shells. It’s more like shiny bone than a rock.

[@williamcovey2330]

Hoping you and your families are ok, the wild fires look horrible 🙁

[@Theeggman710]

That area is so pretty

[@brent5832]

Hey, they didn’t have hard hats on at all. 😂

[@mattb8083]

You obviously didn't look at that grey hat closely. Derp.

[@jchrizzy6995]

When in alberta do as the albertans do

[@putteslaintxtbks5166]

They have their hard heads on their shoulders and their safety shirts on!

[@UmmmmmmmWhat]

There are ballcap style hardhats that are ansi rated and certified and osha approved now... look closely, you can see the plates under the fabric. They are much more comfortable than a traditional hardhat and work fine.

[@JamesWellsIndiana]

If you look closely, you can see they are wearing something like SKULLERZ 8945 Universal Bump Cap Insert A lightweight, impact-resistant shell that inserts into any baseball cap, hat or other headwear for additional head protection. It helps protect against bumps, scrapes, bruises and other minor head injuries. Made of lightweight, durable polypropylene and designed with maximum ventilation to provide continuous airflow for breathability without compromised protection. An interior foam pad reduces impact but does not absorb odors

[@lightsoutisay]

question: would Ammolite be considered a form of opal, since some opals come from fossilized shells of creatures?

[@DrachenGothik666]

Nope. The colours from Ammolite & Ammonite from the nacre, the shell the animal makes for itself. Opal is a mineralization process that occurs with a silica solution in association with water. they both produce simial colours, but the process are very different.

[@JamesWellsIndiana]

Opaliazed Fossils found in Australia are also considered Precious gemstones as is Ammolite. Slight error in your claim. Opal is a spectacular gemstone. It is also a dazzling key to Australians mysterious past, because buried in the Australian opal fields are fossils of dinosaurs and other strange creatures that lived 110 million years ago, in Early Cretaceous times. These fossils are literally gems: teeth, bones, shells and pinecones which have turned to solid opalAustralia is the only country where opalised animal fossils are found. Opalised fossils are rare and precious; even more so because in Australia, it is rare to find fossils of any kind from the time of the dinosaurs. During Cretaceous times a shallow inland sea called the Eromanga Sea covered nearly one-third of Australia. Streams and rivers fed into saltwater estuaries, and evergreen forests blanketed the floodplains. While pterosaurs soared overhead, the waters of the Eromanga Sea teemed with fish, invertebrates and marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs, pliosaurs and ichthyosaurs. Some opal fields, such as White Cliffs and Coober Pedy, mainly produce fossils of marine (saltwater) plants and animalsAt Lightning Ridgemost opalised fossils are from land-living or freshwater animals and plants. Opalised snails and mussel shells are found on most Australian opal fieldsbecause snails and mussels live in both marine and freshwater environments

[@NVMDSTEvil]

I'm in Alberta, there are Opalized fossils here as well.

[@Danhurd]

There is only one "Organic Gemstone" classified as precious. Here is an article to read. geology.com/gemstones/organic-gemstones/ (pearl is now considered Semi Precious, and Opal is a mineral, not organic)

[@swiggins4209]

I have found lots of these in the northern end of the province, unfortunately the ammolite is incredibly thin

[@batuakik9246]

Waw....... Begitu menakjubkan.... Batu indah telah di temukan... Ssngat menyenangkan

[@Cohowarren]

Shale is fun to look thru.

[@NoName-kt4di]

How do you clean them?

[@iinezlee6534]

🙋ello Dan Thank You!

[@triple_A_rockhound]

Hella cool And yikes on that twister Nice see another friend of mine on your channel 👍

[@stevenspain6850]

Hey how's things going with you and the family hope all is well are fires still burning over there 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@fish1999onBass]

*To bad the storm came, great ammonite finds*

[@SHGemstone]

Magnificent play of color 😍

[@claytongodfrey202]

Im wondering how you pick ur spots? I assume you have to lurchase the land or atleast get permission from the land owner...before that...do you use some sort of imageing to be sure there is atleast something there?

[@mragatetv22]

goog luck to find gemstone

[@MarsG0Dofw4r_]

Hard heads under those hats! 😊 You got one on uder your hat Dan?

[@CricketHerrera]

So what about fossils in Australia that are replaced with precious opal?

[@eintrok]

Can someone apprentice or intern for work like this? And how would one go about doing this?

[@IAMTHATIAM01]

you guys are awesome!

[@billymitchem5256]

Great job 👏

[@GyaradosFreak]

Is Opal a precious gem??? Because i know fossils in Australia get taken over by the ingredients and become fossilized opal sea shells and wood sticks and other small sea creatures!!😃 Ammolite is the only organic starting-block gemstone in north America for sure, but is opal in the same boat??😄

[@scifirank]

Not just Australia. They have the best and most colourful, but you can find opal in multiple countries. I have a piece of Oregon opal and a bit of Mexican opal too. I'll be curious to hear what Dan has to tell us about the difference. 🤔🤗

[@GyaradosFreak]

@@scifirank yes ive heard of gem opal of varities from other countries.. do any of them have fossilized organics like seashells, or plants like australia has?

[@scifirank]

Yes, some do. You can look it up on Google. 😎@@GyaradosFreak

[@GyaradosFreak]

@@scifirank very cool!!😃

[@bobsagate8614]

In fact one of the world's most famous and expensive precious opal's is the "Virgin Rainbow" and was a belemnite fossil. The distinction could be that the belemnite was completely replaced by opal and perhaps pieces of the original ammonite are still intact?

[@WhiteIndoraptor]

Be safe Dan

[@russellnentwich8745]

Those fossils are so beautiful. I will never be able to afford one but they are truly a natural work of art.

[@markwentz8332]

Dan Hurd Storm Chasing!

[@d.andysprospecting]

Incredible! Thanks for sharing Dan

[@shanna74]

Awesome content love it

[@chrrmin1979]

The date and the tornadoes... holy crap i know what area this is

[@joesutherland225]

Crowsnest ! Blairmore or Coalmont?

[@anthonymichaelwilson8401]

Such an exciting guy to watch