$1,000,000 of Sapphires, What a BLAST!

[@chrismalcomson7640]

That long wirework sapphire looked amazing and the wirework itself compliments the stone perfectly. Very generous of the claim owner to give you a few samples..

[@Danhurd]

Chris is great, him and I have worked on a few projects in the past. We work well together.

[@johnjacobs1625]

Very Nice Chris & DAN!! Thx 4 Sharing!! Cheers JJ

[@adventures-with-joe]

My wife is in labor and she said, "I wanna watch Dan's video," so here we are! Thanks for the video Dan! 😊

[@ronwade2206]

Boy or Girl? Congratulations either way!

[@tiov3001]

Jasper, Garnet, Ruby, jade, Flint?

[@adventures-with-joe]

@@ronwade2206 haha, a boy, thanks!

[@adventures-with-joe]

@@tiov3001 didn't think of that unfortunately!

[@adventures-with-joe]

@@tiov3001 dinamite!

[@markpashia7067]

I feel you Dan. Twenty seven years ago I got a flu virus that damaged heart and lungs. I have been living like that since then, you just learn to work around it. I bulldoze through until my legs start burning from lack of O2 in the blood and rest. Once the heart rate slows and the burning stops, I go again. Rinse and repeat until task complete. At 71 year old it is nearly a third of my life this way but better than the alternative I guess. Carry on sir.

[@atatterson6992]

Well by goodness thankfully that wasn't the "C" word flu virus :-) Who knows, you may have been imprisoned in your basement for a year or two. Sometimew, humans get dumber as time goes by... Remember the six foot dots in grocery stores? How embarrassing.

[@cubanitasmr426]

I know it's rough to live that way, but glad you are still here with us, sir! ❤

[@Rich77UK]

Mining, Saphires aside....that scenery is the real jewel. WOW. It is stunning.

[@whereswendy8544]

Vancouver Island has the most amazing stuff to find! That sapphire mine is incredible!

[@Danhurd]

Yes love the island. this mine is by revelstoke tho.

[@whereswendy8544]

@@Danhurd omg! Thanks for correcting my assumption!

[@TruFrag]

@@Danhurd this actually makes me wonder, how does it usually work when you are invited out to a claim. Is it expected to be allowed to collect a set amount for yourself? Or is it different for each claim owner inviting you out? Is it usually the deal to allow the claim owner to 'claim' stones you collect? That's a great way to get 'free" labor! Everyone wins and gets to participate in the dream.

[@CricketsBay]

It really depends on the claim owner. There's anything from a handshake agreement that you both agree what you will or will not collect/keep up to a 20-page written agreement that both sides have their lawyers review with all kinds of details visitors to a claim must abide by.

[@Truth_Teller_101]

You should check out Dan's amazing gold mines himself. I think the best one is rated at 1 gram of gold per 1,000 tons. At least he doesn't have to worry about claim jumpers.

[@DrDave-gq4kz]

That was a blast! Thank you so very much for bringing us along!

[@polarcanada3246]

Geologist here. Sapphire only refers corundum crystals that are gem quality i.e (fully transparent crystals that don’t exhibit zoning) The formula for the mineral corundum is Al2O3 and depending on metal impurities that have replaced some of the aluminum atoms in the crystal structure it creates different colour crystals. Chromium makes it red, titanium makes it deep blue. The difference between a sapphire and a ruby is arbitrary as they are the same mineral just different colours.

[@denyscpoyner]

My question is how do they get the crystals out of the rock ? My guess would be some kind of acid ?

[@Danhurd]

Star Sapphires don't need to be transparent or translucent at all to be called a sapphire. All of our sapphire deposits here in BC are Star Sapphires I believe. If you want all the technical reposts on the Blue Jay Sapphire deposit, just do a google search for "Blue Jay Sapphires"

[@zigzag3349]

Arbitrary is maybe not the right word to use, the rarity of these "metal impurities" denotes the difference in price and desirability. So it may be arbitrary geologically but not objectively.

[@brassman7599]

@@zigzag3349 As I geologist myself I tend to agree with you that arbitrary is the wrong word. The Sapphire and Ruby variants of Corundum are visually and trace chemically distinct, as described in the OP. There are a lot of minerals that we call by multiple names due solely, or primarily due to their color. It's not really arbitrary because there are specific features that distinctly identify the item in question. I understand the reasoning behind OP's use of the word though as it could be argued that naming anything is an arbitrary thing. In terms of minerals though I'd say we have good scientific reasoning for having different names for what is effectively the same thing.

[@FISHUNTREECOUNTRY]

Nice finds

[@JohnViinalass-lc1ow]

fascinating, a real blast, a jewel of a post, our best Dan!...thank you, Chris and team, for availing this tale!

[@LordWhirlin]

It's amazing how much fun you all seem to have during the process. Prospectors seem like an absolutely fun bunch, contrary to that shade Toy Story 2 threw at you all!

[@jennikeane641]

What an amazing video!!! Thank you for all of your hard work on bringing us these great videos and especially the knowledge! Your videos are my favorites!!!

[@Huzaku]

I fricken love this channel. It's not all in your face with videos everyday. But when I video does come out it's always absolutely amazing. Thank you Dan, you do great work

[@madmex2k]

Dan Hurd does't seem to hustle for views and stuff as much as others do. As he always says, he hopes to earn your subscription, and does that very well. With 1.34 million subs, Dan makes a substancial amount from ads, but his content is quality and it shows. I keep coming back to it because it is always fascinating to me to see this stuff and how goes about collecting it. Not to discount others channels, but they could learn a lot from how he runs things.

[@dominikspencer3981]

I used to live like this, up in the mountains mining and blasting. I miss it soooo much!!! Im not that old, so i do know that i will resettle back up in them hills again!! Thank you Dan for an amazing experience!

[@merky6004]

16:32. Wow. Just wow. Truth a lot of Wow in this episode.

[@angelakimbrell1214]

20:07 the sapphire that you are holding and talking about would be pure perfection if it was not changed at all. I am a purest when it comes to specimens. I want the as they come from the earth. And thank you for taking the time to make this video and share it with us. I LOVED every second of it and consider it the BEST Sapphire video ever. I will save it and rewatch it every time I wish I could go looking for sapphires. Thanks again.

[@kerriemills1310]

Thank you so much 🎉 😮 wow! Loved watching the blast as well as the fun of digging through the dirt together. Thank you 🙏. Plus I too, would have taken the time to let the heart rest and take in the view from the 🏔️ mountain while climbing 🧗 too. Excellent watching, enjoyed it.

[@sameaston9587]

Crazy you boys are along the rocky edge with no fear, like mountain goats. You're truly built differently!

[@michaud399]

True fearless Canadian men.

[@kellyharper367]

Old Disabled House Bound Dusty Rusty Rockhound here: This was a stellar video! It has it all... the beauty in the environment, flora, and fauna! Drama, action, and adventure... geology and my favorite.... rockhounding! Bravo 👏 👏 👏 This video could be a "golden statue" award winner!😉

[@wingnutbert9685]

THAT WAS SUCH COOL FOOTAGE, DAN!!!!! The slo-mo was something else! Had to laugh, when the blast went off, the you fella behind you kinda leaned in behind you for cover. LOL!!!!

[@noggyplays2822]

Sapphires are by far my favorite gems, the blue is just so beautiful!

[@raymondbrown940]

I'm glad to see you're taking care of yourself, Dan. It's kind of a selfish move on my part. It's because I love your videos and I want to see you keep posting for a long, long time! Thank you for sharing!

[@seemyworld1]

Great stuff! As soon as I started watching this one of my local Blue Jays came to visit and called outside my window while enjoying the bird bath. :)

[@HerbHyder]

I discovered bluejay claim I named it that because I love birds unfortunately Chris robak and Dan Hurd cheated me out of my claims and never paid me

[@ant-1382]

My weekly Dan Hurd fix. And he's blowing stuff up today! I'm in!!!!!!!!!! Nice work on the wire wrapping. Elegantly simple. So many wire wrappers put so many loops and curls it takes away from the stone instead of framing it.

[@Truth_Teller_101]

Dan Hurd looks like a miner. He even has the beard. But he couldn't tell a quartz vein from quartz watch. He spent who knows how much money on his "blue chip" mine to get 1 gram of gold per ton of ore. He stopped making those videos, and he now makes ones where he works at other people's mines so his viewers can see what gold/gem mining is really like.

[@ant-1382]

@@Truth_Teller_101 You have no clue! Like so many gold rushes of the past. It is the entrepreneurs who really make the money, and Dan is an exceptional entrepreneur. Met him a couple times now, got to respect a guy that works as hard as he does.

[@Truth_Teller_101]

@@ant-1382 If you're saying his YT channel is the equivalent of selling pans and shovels to real miners, I agree. As for finding gold himself, he'd have better luck straining his beard for "pickers".

[@ant-1382]

@@Truth_Teller_101 Trust me Dan is making lots of coin selling t-shirts, and ocean picture stone to you tubers. I'm a lapidary enthusiast so I bought some, and it wasn't cheap.

[@rhoward295]

@@Truth_Teller_101 He has stayed in some of his past videos that he pans gold for fun, and the very occasional pickers! He has stated that his claim is mostly flakes with the occasional picker. I don’t understand your point. He’s been clear about who he is. Why do you feel the need to state this?

[@noob19087]

I'm so jealous but I can't stop watching!!! That is BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@1983zoe]

Thank you for sharing another one of your great adventures! You are so lucky to get to do this! ❤

[@mgs8747]

Dan, Wow! that is so cool. Thank you for sharing your experience. Awesome channel.!

[@savagesquirrel9828]

I am so glad you spoke about trapiche. I have been telling folks because I think it is so cool, and most are not familiar with it. Thank you.

[@Zanthanee]

Love your content Dan :) Thanks for doing all the extra work required to film, edit etc.. to bring the experience into our homes... 😊

[@Mike-br8vb]

Wow Diamond Dan! Fantastic video, and great camera work! I love the mountains!, can't wait to go back to BC!! - worn out ol prairie dog here😂

[@smokeydog67]

That was so amazing, I’ve seen things blown before but this was a little different as it was controlled it seemed to stay in a general line. What that must have been like seeing first hand, wow!!

[@danielm5535]

Thanks for the video. Looked fun. I hope you enjoyed!

[@susanfurner1988]

Really enjoyed this one !!! Oh heck , I enjoy all of them !!! Thanks for taking us along !!! 💖

[@dotwarner3609]

That's the Mohs scale, yes it's the most used scale, but the Knoop scale is way more accurate. Mohs scale Quartz is 7, Sapphire is 9, dimond is 10. Knoop scale Quarts is 950, Sapphire is 2000 Diamond is 7500!! over 3 times harder!! We all need to stop using the Mohs scale. It's inaccurate. So when you say that it's so much harder, most folks don't quite understand just how much harder. A good geology lesson of the day. (I am a complete amateur, correct me if I am wrong please.)

[@Matt-dc8lp]

Mohs scale is a qualitative scale and is no less "accurate" than the Knoop scale. They each serve a purpose.

[@Danhurd]

Video I shot yesterday, will be out in Jan. I do a geology lesson on sapphire hardness

[@Nilahg]

@@Danhurd I can't wait to learn even more. I just love all things rock and mineral! Thanks for all the hard work you put into sharing your passion

[@tristanhallmark2724]

​@Danhurd NOICE!! Would you be interested in doing more geology lessons for other stones? Maybe a trip to Arizona or new mexico for some turquoise?

[@dotwarner3609]

@@Danhurd Thank you for the response and for always being willing to educate.

[@zchats]

Man, that pilot can freaking pilot!! Hauling that weight with a long line and just placing it on a flatbed perfectly like he's been doing it for 300 years. No sway, just absolute control.

[@MrLotrecht]

Sometimes illness can ground you with no possibility to say , no I don t want to rest now and enjoy this beautiful landscape around me !

[@timmywood9677]

I would love to see a update of one of those sapphire crystals cut and polished

[@paulotts]

14:10 As Jamie Hyneman would say, "Boom!"

[@Laotzsa]

Glad you guys went over the minimal damage that explosives cause due to the hardness of beryl . At first I was worried

[@joshredding9588]

Stunning Saphires Dan!

[@simeon24]

Looks like tons of fun! Questionable technique to move that slab though!! That bearded fellow came close to losing his right foot: 16:29 😱💀

[@sleepyjordan887]

Wow just saw it. Not only did he come close to having his foot crushed but that rock would have dragged him down with it. That was insanely unsafe

[@agaba5500]

dan this was one of the coolest videos ive seen in months. great work. cant wait to see the next one

[@bryanpscolka7280]

Absolutely my favorite Gem Stone. Just the pure beauty of the stones themselves, plus a love tanzanite. My two favorite stones of all time. Love the video.

[@snowfox94]

Dan. That footage was AMAZING! I havent been gitty like that in a while. So cool. Much love Dan!

[@dn2817]

Dan… if you are reading this…. Ignore all of the total clowns that comment negative stuff! I have loved your channel for years now, bought stuff online from you guys & enjoy cutting / carving the ocean picture stone & jade. I honestly got really annoyed on your behalf that the clowns that trolled you made you waste your precious time and energy. About sapphires: 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Diamonds are a 10. Did you know that man made sapphires are used in watches? When you see the word “jewels” that is a reddish pinkish, purplish colored sapphire…. I got a Seiko watch with a clear back case & you can see a couple of them! Keep up the good work, Dan and family ! Sending love & respect from the PNW!

[@derrickfoster644]

Man made Sapphire is used for the "glass" or the crystal of watches. The "jewels" are man made ruby.

[@dn2817]

@@derrickfoster644 I did not know that I thought it was used for both.. I just googled it and it looks like Ruby and sapphires are used for both. It just depends…. I have a watch and they called them “sapphires” cool to know. Thank you

[@twigglykevin]

@6:32 "Come on clerky, pay me now!|I got eighteen holes a-goin' 'pow, pow, pow!'|And there ain't no music finer, |She's a damn good song for a miner."-- greatest Canadian musician ever

[@Onemoreguygettingold]

I used to excavate holes in basalt rock. 12' deep, 6' across, round and flat on the bottom. Yes, I was a cesspool digger.😃 often working within 50' of other houses we needed to contain the blast with a ring of 30 old car tires cabled together and 4x8' sheets of 1/4" steel. Never broke a window, but had the cops called a few times because we would start working at first light.

[@TheVice333]

Its cool watching Dan have a blast!

[@monadiloka]

Chris really knows how to reward your work. Those are beautiful gems you got from him. Not to mention the raws.

[@Nilahg]

I love a good cross over! I have been buying my rocks from silvercove for a bit and Chris is so reasonable and knowledgeable. Having you both in a video was just pure joy to watch! I wish I could make my way west and join in on the rock hunts! I just want to learn and experience it ( I sure don't need to grow my rock collect anymore the house can't take much more LOL). I look forward to your next video and adventure. Thank you Dan! Much love from the northern ontario!

[@leewriter4656]

You're right, not click bait... thanks Dan!

[@cob4467]

Thank you Dan and company

[@amandapittar9398]

You all had FAR too much fun blowing up the mountain side 😮😊

[@kevincrayford3470]

RIP camera C, he stood his ground and did his job.

[@UTF-4]

🫡

[@frankhardie4708]

Amazing Adventure💖 Thank You for Sharing

[@RSxMVxSN]

Camera C blast at 13:30 was incredible!!!

[@theplumbingprospector9024]

Incredible looking material. Museum grade stuff there great video dan. Definitely worth the hike

[@JJE2010MO]

What a fun adventure! Nothing better than "Fire in the HOLE" !!!

[@wingnutbert9685]

Thanks for showing those finished pieces. I've only ever seen the rather plain, homogeneous blue colored ovals with a 4 point star. Those look much more interesting.

[@eric81872]

Thank you for the video! ☺♥

[@monkeyking1214]

I remember when Herb Hyder discovered this deposit. I almost bought a flat of sapphires from him but I couldn't swing it because money was a tad ti right at the time.

[@shineyrocks390]

Dan I decided to buy my wife's birthday gift early. I just wanted to say thank you. Once I saw the sapphire I had to get one!

[@Danhurd]

Thank you!

[@diamondhunterTv5]

"Wow, $1,000,000 worth of sapphires is absolutely stunning! The variety and brilliance of each stone are incredible. It must have been an amazing experience to see them up close. Do you have a favorite sapphire from the collection? Can't wait to see more videos like this!"

[@eriksoutdoors7243]

Might not be the most personally applicable video for me over here prospecting in Georgia, probably not finding any sapphires - but this is DEFINITELY the most fun vid 😂 those different angles of the detonation and rocks hitting the camera are once in a lifetime! Michael Bay would be jealous - I’ll probably replay that like 4 times 🤘🤣

[@theshootindutchman]

Neat trip guys😄🎉

[@noob19087]

Without a doubt your best video thus far!

[@rogerdudra178]

Greetings from the BIG SKY of Montana. A big bang is always fun to see.

[@b.a.erlebacher1139]

This was interesting. I'd wondered what the status of natural sapphires and rubies was since it's now so easy to make perfectly clear synthetics. These sapphires you showed us are beautiful in a different way. The complex unique natural patterns are really interesting to see and admire, much more than a perfect synthetic. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[@Danhurd]

You are very welcome

[@ohmyitscook]

I love your story Dan, from a humble teacher to going on amazing adventures as your able to pursue your passion. I've been a fan for a few years now, catching up on a bit of a backlog tonight. Hope all is well, this was an awesome video as always! Amazing sapphires! Stay safe Dan and happy hunting!

[@pathoodjoy]

Wow! Just Wow! Thanks for giving us a blast!

[@thetinkerist]

Amazing blast indeed, nice video Dan! Thanks!

[@chrisk8185]

Very very awesome!!! Thank you for sharing and your hard work!!

[@darntootin6423]

Money value? Eh. No clickbait. Im here for the blast. Another episode where i learned much more. Thanks Dan. You rock.

[@metro2673]

I really wonder what the profits look like after all the expenses. Can't be a cheap operation.

[@BillMulholland1]

Can’t wait that long 😂😂❤️👍

[@mehjustaleaf.]

heya dan, its been a while since ive actually watched your vids... maybe 1 or 2 years? well whatever, you just havent aged one bit, youre a very comforting person... and i hope i can keep watching you.... especially after Pauls passing (rest in peace to him)

[@jongordon6132]

Blowing stuff up is so awesome ❤

[@Danhurd]

Sure was fun!

[@scottybadmoon3857]

Wow, beautiful blue black . This gem is my birth stone. ❤

[@scottybadmoon3857]

I'm so in love😢

[@crebbsjd]

WOW!!!!!!! THAT WAS AWESOME 👌. The different cameras showed the rocks coming at the cameras. Was so cool!!!! TY guys and Dan!!!

[@DevonLadd]

That C camera shot was incredible, straight out of a movie or somthin

[@BettyRobinson-gg5tz]

I'm jealous!!!😂😂😂🙃🙃🙃 Not!!!! You guys were having fun with that blast!!!!! I can't blame you. Beautiful sapphires!!!! Love you💖!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@cfuzzkennedy]

What a view to have as a workplace.

[@Quansem]

Sweet footage, Dan! Please take care of yourself (especially.your ticker!)

[@aljazsimonic7369]

Moissanite (silicon carbide) is harder than corundum with ~9.5 on Mohs scale. It is used as a diamond alternative, though mostly in its synthetic form as the natural mineral is extremely rare. Another fact - its discoverer, after whom it was named, was Henri Moissan, the first person to successfully isolate elemental fluorine - a feat requiring a lot of bravery, as even disregarding the extreme danger posed by elemental fluorine itself, the production of fluorine involves a lot of cooled down, liquefied hydrogen fluoride - a highly toxic acid which is gaseous at room temperature. Multiple 19th century chemists before Moissan met a premature end while attempting to do the same as he successfully achieved.

[@matthewspeegle1028]

That being said. I love this channel and i enjoy watching Mr. Dan

[@averieldeathrider8407]

I love your vids, Dan!! I miss my prospecting days & your vids bring back memories.

[@PeteBrubaker]

That boulder rolling down the hill was almost as good as the blast!

[@stewartpalmer2456]

Once again Dan brings the very best. Thank you Dan.

[@rogerdudra178]

Greetings from the BIG SKY of Montana, Nice rock crystals.

[@Danhurd]

Hi!

[@patcaza6166]

amazing thanks Dan for sharing this great experience with us

[@Danhurd]

My pleasure!

[@exstacc1886]

16:30 bro almost lost his foot! I'm not tryna make a callout just holy shit that looked incredibly dangerous, inches away from an emergency hospital visit.

[@Crispy_VA]

Very cool video. I’m a licensed blaster in Virginia. I’ve certainly never loaded holes wearing a harness hanging off the side of a mountain though! lol

[@sebibiclea3535]

I like your video about mining and found valuable minerals and i found recent 2 yellow sapphire and a emerald on a quart.

[@clarehagley2165]

Your students are so lucky for your knowledge.

[@TheGiggleMasterP]

Waited through what felt like an eternity of AI countdown to get here!! Worth the wait 🎉

[@georgeconnon7272]

Looks like a Blast!

[@Danhurd]

It was!

[@aaronpaolilli8578]

I found those Grey ones in Vermont. I had no Idea they were Sapphires. I found a whole lot of little Rhodolites in the area as well.

[@KingLoopie1]

Neat stuff! Looked like a lot of fun!

[@voodooloukerensky3884]

Beautiful views and alllll of the minerals in one location like that is awesome

[@thomasfruge]

Wowizer that's Beautiful Sapphires !!

[@rargoth3197]

That face on the mountains is the closest thing you can have to the Glittering Cave of LOTR! My gosh I swear i'd fall in love with a crazy person who would treat it in the dwarf way! But yeah, millions of dollars are tempting for you ahah

[@martsiidar7427]

Oh wow, that hike was totally worth taking !!! I haven't seen that kind of trapiche in sapphires before, that is truly marvelous. Damn, the blasting was awesome !!! :P Who doesn't love blowing things up. But I got to tell ya, taking these shots was worth sacrificing soem caremas !!! So cool to see that big slab go down the hill... and the guys turned into boys again -- "yyeeeaahh" :D. I craft inlay rings, I have a "Comet" design where piece of sapphire represent the comet. It truly was a pain in the a** to sand and polish it, along with softer minerals. Beautiful samples at the end of the vid !!! Hats off for Dayna - beautiful wire wrappings !!! Silver Cove's got a lot of amazing minerals for sale, totally worth checking out !!!!

[@jfirebaugh]

Does gold and sapphire occur together anywhere? That would make a great specimen if possible.

[@Danhurd]

Not that I know of