Colorado Pikes Peak Batholith Blue Amazonite and Smoky Quartz Crystals

I hit upon some sky blue amazonite and smoky quartz on Cinco De Mayo 2014 in the Pikes Peak Batholith in central Colorado. Some of my best Amazonite yet!
More information and photos on the blog at davealex.com.

[@KAREN-OAKES]

OMG the music is driving me F N crazy!!!!

[@stacymitchell518]

Sounds like there's a rave going on next door lol 😂

[@dreamweaver3095]

also the mic captures you're chewing.

[@KingFPV]

Nice pocket! I know the excitement having explored some amazonite pockets out near Lake George some time ago.

[@wild_mtn_woman]

All I can seem to find around lake george is milky quartz, is there any place I can try near there that you'd be willing to share?

[@michelle_7769]

Would love to go crystal hunting in Colorado with you 😊!

[@A1Autocareballinasloe]

That's class u foundation great spot great smokies amazonite lovely too

[@AnitaKuhn1]

you should grab a few bamboo sticks to poke around those pockets with, even a gloved hand can do some damage to nice specimens ;)

[@theropodia]

I use a polypropalene 1/4" x 10" probe. It works great and is tough yet gentle on the specimens.

[@BoltRM]

@@theropodia Thanks, I see some polypropylene rods on amazon $6 for 3/8x12" 👍

[@idigcalifornia]

Cool video, thanks for sharing. Getting me pumped up for next weeks dig.

[@obliqrecordings]

Awesome...can't wait to see what you do on your prospecting trip!

[@TheDudeGuyBroManPerson]

I am 13. I can not find anything except for milky quartz. I think its just where i am mining. Please give me some tips on where to find good crystals and gems.and i love watching yours videos.

[@M.S.K.F_VLOGS]

Amazing work

[@thecrystalhunters]

Dang, awesome finds, thanks for the cool vid!

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

Where is this at Batholith is outside of the Peak just curious I'm here for 6 more days I would love to get on some of this any suggestions bud ?

[@obliqrecordings]

There are many claims so it is hard to give a good unclaimed spot as the status of the land changes; I prospect all the time and the areas are hit and mostly miss. I'd recommend Douglas County simply because you can search location records online and don't have to visit the BLM and can put together a good map to avoid the claimed areas. If you need help with putting a map together, I've written a tutorial. davealex.com/earthfire/creating-prospecting-map/

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

Thanks bro if I see markers I won't hit em but yes I'm just short on time I was hoping you had a pocket opened up Thankyou for all your help we may just hit clear Creek for some gold I'm in Denver helping my sister fix her house she's going through a ruff devorce I got Friday to dig then I'm on a plane back to Oklahoma Saturday. I was hoping to dig and maybe shoot a video if your free Friday💯😎👍

[@gingersworld1695]

Music gives me anxiety haha

[@Pordapoddie]

I live in cs, co...my uncle Denzil Wiggins used to talk about these

[@Pordapoddie]

Yes please

[@EnterEther]

Love your videos and your blog!!! just moved to Denver do you have a rockhound club or book to reccomend so I could learn to do this on my own?!

[@rine303]

O wow I would love to do that

[@itzzzsss]

looking at the dewey ground, it may look a little chilly there

[@thomas101834]

You're lucky I can't give you a Gib slap thru the screen. I've been looking at some crystals on the wall and wondering when and IF you're going to find them.

[@Okispider]

leaves more for other ppl....lol

[@naimemelprahana7989]

Why you should use a brush, sir

[@obliqrecordings]

Using a brush will remove dirt a small amount a t a time and give me a view of all the crystals in an area with disturbing it too much. If there is a plate of crystals I would extract in a different way. Plus it's cool to see all the crystals in situ!

[@TaylorRaine]

Gorgeous

[@terezasilva9747]

Linda demais parabéns já me escrevi aí vai um laik Deus abençoe

[@andretremblay9897]

I found tons of amazonite in a remote place north of Québec, close to an ancient mine deep in the forest, brought 300lbs of pure amazonite before someone claims the vein...very promising, good quality...see pictures on my Facebook

[@dreamweaver3095]

if you were just more patient you could probably capture them in their matrix. you're excitement gets the better of you.

[@obliqrecordings]

I pull a lot of the matrix out; most pockets have disintegrated, the deeper I go the better luck I have pulling out matrix. I love the puzzle!

[@seanbarg7858]

what acid solution are you leaving these in for a month?

[@obliqrecordings]

most the time iron out and food grade citric acid.

[@marisoljensen7083]

That background "music" makes it impossible to watch your video. It's a shame. It seemed very interesting.

[@itzzzsss]

when you remove the sand with gloves or fingers, do you scratch it?

[@obliqrecordings]

Jun hee Bae no, the rocks and dirt are softer than the quartz crystals.

[@joannatimmins8795]

Please change your background noise it's fairly annoying music would be nicer or nothing quiet would be good too

[@dawnchristensen7492]

Music is fine, lighten up fransis.

[@burtgummer463]

Dawn Christensen Its Francis..

[@adamnewbould256]

I like the music

[@donnac1279]

I tried to rockhound the Pikes Peak area "legally" but found no "public land" on my maps. Are you on someones claim? If not...how did you go and dig any where near or on Pikes Peak or west of it (the direction it blew out when it erupted)? Would love to know. I do know, claim owners dont take kindly to claim jumpers.

[@obliqrecordings]

Hi Donna. There are a lot of claims, private land, and undiggable areas out there so you do have to be careful where you dig. I have "favorite" places and I keep track of where there are claims in those places and check back a couple times a year for changes in the status of those areas. It is the claim owner's responsibility to mark their claims, but legally you still don't have the right to dig on claims that are unmarked like they should be; so ends up you're the bad guy (in the sheriff's eyes) ultimately if digging on claimed areas without permission. If you get permission, I HIGHLY recommend having a print out of that permission with you and also a map of where you have permission to dig in case you run into anyone who questions you. I have created a blog on how to create a prospecting map, which I believe is the rockhounder's duty, I recommend you learn the process as there are a LOT of open areas available and it makes prospecting a lot less stressful knowing you don't have to worry about this when you are out having fun! davealex.com/earthfire/creating-prospecting-map/. Happy map making, and happy rockhounding!

[@adilsonferreiraaventurasegarim]

Aqui no Brasil,tô a procura de uma mina de facetados ....

[@nathanfult]

where at pikes peak is this?

[@TheKateRate]

Where did you find these in pikes peak cause I’m here now and can’t find any place to rock hunt

[@gingersworld1695]

Are you in Colorado Springs because I know a few places?

[@davidb819]

nice man in Colorado now looking for some nice places to go look for quartz and tips or locations?!!! it would be much appreciated!!!

[@obliqrecordings]

Check out one of the Colorado Rockhounding books from your local library, or pick one up...these will give you a lot of options. One of my main spots is Devils Head, but watch out for the claims; there have been many posted this year in the popular places to dig. You can check out my website blog for more tips. davealex.com/earthfire/prospecting-tips-hints/ (also check outdavealex.com/earthfire/how-to-find-crystals/ for a more detailed blog post). Happy crystal hunting!

[@sorsorscience0787]

isnt pikes peak too protected to allow digging?

[@samrichardson2641]

Hella BLM land

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

Cool channel I smashed the Bell 🔔much love 😎👍

[@zakariyaal-shible5889]

nice finds

[@Trovik]

Where do I start looking ?

[@JAKEANDSID]

Hey man how do you know where to start to look. Like what kind of surroundings

[@obliqrecordings]

Hi Jake. First thing first, you'll want to ensure where you are looking isn't claimed. Digging on someone's claim without written permission is mineral trespass. Here is a blog post on creating a prospecting map. davealex.com/howto/creating-prospecting-map/. Many of the popular areas are filled with claims, so do your homework. Here is a blog post that should help you with your question on what to look for. davealex.com/rockhounding/how-to-find-crystals/. Let me know if you have questions.

[@Chenny-mw9gl]

Is that a heart in the background?

[@obliqrecordings]

Good call, yes it is.

[@b0bbiejean]

"that's a smokey"

[@saintsfan39475]

That background sound makes it impossible to watch. 1:09 in is all I could take.

[@1976NeverEnds]

WOWWWW ONE OF MY DREAMS!

[@gingersworld1695]

Hey when you start seeing crystals you do start shaking.hahah it's like finding a chunk of gold knowing there way more under there somewhere hahhah

[@chilloutenforcementcrew9621]

The shaking is because I'm fatigued; sometimes the crystals don't come until after hours and hours of work! But I do get so preoccupied that I lose track of time!

[@jenneper]

Would you be interested in answering questions from a novice? We live near trinidad and finding evidence I believe of a crystal find. If you can help please respond :)

[@obliqrecordings]

Jennifer McCollom congrats on your crystals. I'd be happy to hear your question.

[@jenneper]

obliqrecordings thank you! My email is [e-mail] perhaps it would be easier to send you pics of what we have found so far? Lots of quartz on the surface. Different types of mineral activity, seams under a layer of shale. I have found a couple of small fossils. I see maybe a small wash point but I can't for the life of me figure it out! I live near an old coal mine. I have 40 acres of virgin land.. I'm afraid I have rock fever. 😁

[@domeskeetz]

hey man are there any good books or videos to watch for someone who wants to get into prospecting

[@obliqrecordings]

Depending on where you live, there are great state by state rockhounding guides. Check your library. Rocks & Gems, Rocks and Minerals and Mineralogical Record are all great magazines. Blue Cap Productions does good video of various mines and events. you can check out my crystal digging playlist Crystal TV: kzbin.info/aero/PLs1rE5zaz_RdglaMrnXEZwpE4vMv1B14p

[@terricampbell3179]

This guy is shaking like he has parkinsons

[@obliqrecordings]

After digging for a while your hands do that as they are tired!

[@MustaphaAmani]

not practical poking like that with fingers

[@noahisboss1665]

Why are you shaking

[@iranfernandespedrasprecios8297]

Like 305.New your friend ok? Thank you!

[@omegawave4850]

#Heaparmy

[@drusillamartin9779]

Please turn off that annoying background noise.

[@bunk9991]

Kill the background music. I dont get it. Dont you ever watch other videos that have obnoxious music and think " I dont like that, I wont use it in my videos"? Get a clue!

[@obliqrecordings]

Yep, and I see other videos that have amazing music and think "why don't I do the same for my videos"!

[@user-vm7ki2si9j]

หินแบบนี้เรียกอะไรครับผมเจอแบบนี้เลยครับ

[@obliqrecordings]

Amazonite and smokey quartz. 亞馬遜和Smoky石英

[@jimburnsjr.]

Dude...when you have a few heart attacks, that heart best bs becomes a sht load less entertaining

[@jonlennon3348]

Get rid of the stupid music. Seriously it is annoying at best. Otherwise I like the video.

[@xalpha322]

agreed!

[@obliqrecordings]

Ha! Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, the track is an experimental electronic music track. Watch another video for more "mainstream" oriented music, or at least as mainstream as it gets with our band! :)

[@leticialeticia7785]

You noise in the back gave me a headache can't watch your video.

[@obliqrecordings]

Not much interesting that I am narrating anyway, so watching with the volume down you can still see cool Crystal action!

[@billbob9819]

U ruined those specimens. You had them in the acid for way to long and it shows. Just a heads up for future finds

[@obliqrecordings]

interesting, how can you tell?

[@billbob9819]

+obliqrecordings the faded white coding over the crystals you want it to shine almost like its polished. Instead of that almost cloudy look it has with white specs.

[@billbob9819]

On the smokey Quartz especially

[@obliqrecordings]

+bill bob actually the white coating is a secondary coating from the pocket that was on top of the smokey quartz and below the iron oxide. many of the pockets in the area have two or sometimes three coatings. I have been successful at re mm owing that coating using chemical and mechanical means mostly of the microcline, the quartz is tough to remove.

[@obliqrecordings]

+bill bob most of the pockets in find the quartz are pitted and don't really have that nice luster, some pockets do and those are extra special.

[@burtgummer463]

This music sucks! what about the bird sounds ?

[@geoknights452]

shake much.??? drink a beer or smoke a bowl my brother

[@obliqrecordings]

Geo Knights after digging 12 hours, the body gets tired! lol...