I Found Gemstone Pockets in Nature and You Can Too!

[@michaelpack7591]

Chris, I have done quite a bit of mining around, Superior, Globe, and Kearney, in Arizona. Asst the Finch mine, we found awesome Wolfinite, as well as a lot of other nice minerals, while I was mining at the Gray Horse mine, I hit a museum quality Vanadite with calcite pocket. I was the first person to hit a vug in this mine since the 70s. The vanadite crystals were so much different than most vanadite; although the crystals were hexagonal, they were tubular as well. Just a stunning specimen! I truly do miss the days when I was able to do those things. I'm getting much older and I'm very disabled, now. I just want all of you that have an interest in doing these types of things, do it while you can. It's a lot of fun, and very exciting! The Lord truly does create things that are absolutely beautiful! Blessings to you all! Happy trails to you all!

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks so much for the very wise suggestion - its so very true. We all have only so many years on this plant. The Lord does create some very beautiful things.

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

I was able to dig at the 79 mine. John offered to sell me a couple thousand specimens dirt cheap. I wish I had the money at the time.

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

I would stop digging gold just to dig jem bearing pegmatites or other excellent crystal pockets. It is definitely my favorite thing to do. As always Chris , you get my thumbs up ! 👍

[@ChrisRalph]

Yep. If I still lived down in So. Cal, I would be up there searching regularly - and when I did live down there, I was!

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

@@ChrisRalph I found a nice piece of gem Triphane at the Pala Chief years ago. Current pricing though is $75 for 4 hours. Thats the cost it used to be for the entire day on the dumps back then

[@ChrisRalph]

I hunted the Katrina years ago and got a piece of clear spodumene. All I did was ask permission of the owner - it was free. But that was about 1975.

[@ChrisRalph]

You got a nice AZ beryl crystal a couple years back, right?

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

@@ChrisRalph Yes that was quite odd. It was in a somewhat mined Pegmatire area. I may go back and look for more.

[@michaelstrauss6587]

Thanks Brother Chris, great stuff, as always.

[@ChrisRalph]

My pleasure!! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

[@ironhorse7588]

Great video Chris 👍 Love your book. I learn from it constantly.🙏

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@PatriceTaylor-u4i]

I forgot to tell you I love this presentation! I've watched it several times to absorb it!

[@ChrisRalph]

Wow, thank you! You might want to look also at the one I recently did on pegmatite pockets. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqDSp4iwZ7ylj7c

[@toddeftsadams5909]

Chris, if I ever was to win the lottery I would have to give you a million dollars to repay you for all the great information you have tought to use all. Here's to hoping that happens. 🎉🎉😂

[@ChrisRalph]

Wow, thanks! There is much more to come in the months ahead.

[@darijansekulic4098]

Nice video! I was looking for pegmatite pockets on Mt Cer in western Serbia. There are plenty of aquamarines, but these aquamarines are formed in solid rock thus they aren't much valuable. Also, I have found pegmatite vein that is maybe two meters wide and there were many good indicators of pockets such as coarse quartz and feldspar, high amount of large blue beryl crystals (one of them was 6 inches long), occurence of lepidolite mica (which represents high concentration of lithium in pegmatite), euhedral smoky quartz crystals around the place, and manganese oxide stains on pegmatite. I hope these indicators actually indicate something interesting. I will continue to dig l and see what I will find. Once again, nice video and thank you for covering this interesting topic. Greetings from Serbia!

[@ChrisRalph]

Thank you my friend. The pegmatites you are prospecting sound very promising.

[@tigersdogginyall6728]

Reply’s to most all comments, gives away valuable info for others gain… what a guy

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate that!

[@FrankZhu]

Thanks for the lesson!

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karlstruck5297]

Wonderful video , thank you.

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@blakiniknorguild142]

Glad you posted - was thinking "Chris on vacation????" also its a topic i love . Thanks again!

[@ChrisRalph]

I was on vacation the last week when I posted no video. I was in Colorado! Glad to know you like this topic.

[@blakiniknorguild142]

@@ChrisRalph if you ever find your way to Texas would love to have you discuss some of these topics at our gem and mineral club. You knowledge and enthusiasm I think would make it an event for everyone.

[@marksuper3802]

I really love your videos. So informative. Thanks!

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks and glad you like them!

[@blakiniknorguild142]

Btw - if you haven't bought "Fist Full of Gold" , do it. its one of the best books on this topic I ever read (and have been reading about this A LOT). Well worth the money spend,.

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks for the kind words and recommendation.

[@blakiniknorguild142]

@@ChrisRalph absolutely!

[@joemckernan1060]

Looking forward to also searching for gems. Always watching for evidence of gold when hiking around in Montana

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds good and I wish you the best of success.

[@CORE1.8MINISTERIES]

Thank you for sharing videos about Maine pegmatites. I didn't realize that you going to share them on this but thank you. I am from New Hampshire actually however still live right near the border of Maine

[@ChrisRalph]

Well noted in this video.

[@eugen-m]

Thank you ❤❤❤

[@ChrisRalph]

You're welcome 😊 Glad you liked it.

[@keza3250]

Hi from Australia ha ha You are spot on mate I've found some of the best large topaz an giant smokey quartz in old mine tailings out Bush mostly tin an gold mines deep in the Bush locally were in live in NSW Australia The old timers were one track minded only after tin an gold an anything else got thrown into the mulluc heap I found a bright yellow citrine crystal perfectly clear an longer then my forearm and regularly found giant smokey quartz crystals as long as my forearm to

[@ChrisRalph]

Amazing finds. Congratulations.

[@9greatdanes981]

It would be cool to see more videos of you out in the field. Showing road cuts and exploring.

[@ChrisRalph]

I do quite a few videos like that showing metal detecting for gold nuggets but will do more in the future.

[@vpom4774]

I live in an area where theres tons of pegmatite. Ive found some stones that many "expert" rockhounds have said they dont exist in my area of Texas . Blue ive found is calcite i believe. But another type is blue like turquoise but changes colors to green. Green ones that look like rough emeralds but have blue and yellow. They say aquarium gravel...ive never seen any gravel like this 😊. Im putting video together that ill share soon. Im not real experienced on this stuff but its really caught my interest because i never knew we had colored stones like this. Valuable or not theyre kinda beautiful to me. Love this video. Very informative ❤thank you

[@ChrisRalph]

Texas does have blue topaz. Please watch my videos on how to Identify minerals for yourself. Part 1 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6HOiGhuj8qEosU and Part 2 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIC6oGdvjZ5jnaM and Part 3 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZLFZoGknLefjNk - Those videos should answer a lot of your questions.

[@Smithsgold]

well done !!!!!!!

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks!

[@emanuellandeholm5657]

I live in Stockholm and we have lots of nice pegmatites exposed here in eg. roadcuts and quarries. There's not really a thriving gemstone industry over here, but we have some quite rare minerals in sub-economicl quantities. A few rare elements were first discovered pretty much in my backyard back in the 1800:s. Elements such as Yttrium. I've visited the old pegmatite quarry where this all happened, and I even have a rock from this site, somewhere...

[@ChrisRalph]

glad you enjoyed the video.

[@SDMervin]

Nice video

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks.

[@Drewber89]

I saw on your bookshelf below the white board, was a book with “Sierra Co” on the binding. I live in Loyalton CA/Sierra County. Are there any books on geology or prospecting/ gem crystal hunting that you would recommend that would be helpful for my area in particular? I do own fist’s full of gold already, of course lol any recommendations are appreciated! Great show yet again! Thank you for all the information you share!

[@ChrisRalph]

Do a Search on Google for "Bulletin 193, Gold Districts of California" check the links and you will find a free download for Bulletin 193. Then read about the districts in Sierra County. Plumas and Nevada counties are not far away from you either. That should give you plenty of ideas about places to explore.

[@Drewber89]

@@ChrisRalph Great advice! I’ll definitely check all that out. Thank you so much for your help!

[@SDMervin]

❤❤❤❤Godblessyou

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks.

[@Minerken19]

Hey Chris! Miner Ken from Colorado here. I found a pegmatite the other day and sitting right on top was a giant piece and sticking out of it was a 1.5” dia andradite garnet looking out at me !!

[@ChrisRalph]

That sounds really great. Congratulations!

[@alextravine9422]

Hey kind sir, i love the videos. I have a strange area in my yard that is interesting . I would like to post video on youtube showing it in hopes you could tell me what im looking at. Ive been told i should look inside of this material for crystals, but i would like to know more about it. Can you assist?

[@ChrisRalph]

I appreciate your interest, but I do not offer any services for consulting or advisement. I get many such requests and simply do not have time to help all who ask. I have many business and family commitments and simply don't have the time available. I do wish you the best of luck, but I am sorry that I cannot offer any help on that level.

[@alextravine9422]

Its actually more likely that you assume I live in a city or somewhere with boring geology. I do not, i live on mountain property not far from that colorado aquamarine you show. And i lead more busy a life than you fo and have far more on stake time wise. And might i remind you that this youtube income stream you have, is based on viewers watching your content. You simply DO have time and incentive to watch a 2minute long video from your viewer and tell him what he has in his yard. After all, viewer has been watching your videos to learn from you. I also am busy with family. I found time to watch your videos, hoping to get useful information while sifting through the many many minutes of content not useful to my endevor. Shall I continie?

[@alextravine9422]

Would a patreon donation help grease the wheels?

[@ChrisRalph]

First, I don't do patreon. Second, Identification of minerals from video is near impossible. I appreciate that you think I can just look at a 2 minute video and know all there is to know about the potential of your property, but you are wrong. I have no magic up my sleeve - If I could just look at a short video and understand all, I'd charge $10,000 an hour for my time. But no one can do that - not me, not anyone. You don't understand geology but are totally sure of what others could do in a few minutes. That makes no sense. Finally, I am wondering about what part of "I do not offer any services for consulting or advisement" that you can't understand.

[@alextravine9422]

@@ChrisRalph bro, your way making assumptions here. I dont have minerals to identify. Its a spot of non dirt surrounded by dirt. Whilst looking around i see mt antero videos pulling aquamarine from what appears to be the same material. Clay. It appears to be same material but not sure. Then you have this video talking about clay pockets. I thought you would be able to quickly observe and tell if thats what it is.

[@Siris7Stars]

Thank you for all the information and understanding you help us with as well your very easy to listen to. I have a question i have found a gem pocket in Michigan and i can't figure out what these stones are there are about 50 different type in a 10 ft area that i just stumbled on. They are gems ranging from bright green, dark green, blue, black and purple. Though I have no idea where to take them to have them identified or tested. Might you have any ideas?

[@ChrisRalph]

I suggest that watch my videos on how to Identify minerals for yourself and learn the skill of doing that. Part 1 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6HOiGhuj8qEosU and Part 2 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIC6oGdvjZ5jnaM and Part 3 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZLFZoGknLefjNk - Those videos should answer a lot of your questions. The other thing is to buy a book of how to identify minerals with pictures and descriptions. There are several of these recommended in the videos.

[@prodabpaul8736]

They had that Aquamarine pocket wall from Antero in the Denver museum. It was very neat to see in person

[@ChrisRalph]

I saw it there on display to. It was beautiful.

[@nigelbowe6688]

Thanks chris a great video. Here Far North Queensland, Australia, we chase Garnets. Transition zones are the key, 1 of the best indicators are variation in the material that the termite mounds are made from. If your in a gully with different Ant beds on each side, thats a good start.

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks for sharing! Garnet crystals can be really beautiful.

[@nigelbowe6688]

​@@ChrisRalph within proximity to smelters or batteries, the scarn was at time used at primary flux so checking data dumps can be productive.

[@reidogarimpo1691]

Great video, GOD bless you. Rei from Brazil

[@ChrisRalph]

Thank you very much!

[@VeronicaAnnobil-e3v]

Thank you for the lesson I love it

[@ChrisRalph]

You are very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

I'd use seismology and core drilling [very carefully]

[@ChrisRalph]

You can't get the crystals out through a drill core hole.

[@rehman4me]

Hi chris It was really a wonderful video on Gemstone pockets. My question is that can one find Ruby in a pocket? Or only ordinary stone are found in the pockets? As I saw in videos that ruby is found in white marbles in Mogok.

[@ChrisRalph]

Ruby in marble is in the solid rock - there is no open pocket space.

[@donaldperson948]

After watching your gold video I bought your book on Amazon a hour ago! Don Los Angeles California

[@ChrisRalph]

Wow, thank you. I am sure you will find it helpful.

[@pumpkinhold]

Very informative video for sure - thank you Mr. Ralph! It's interesting that many of the world's greatest rhodo's came from places like Colorado, yet despite there being quite a few silver mines in the western U.S., you rarely see quality proustite specimens from here. And boy do the nice German ones fetch a price ! My collection is a bit short on the pretty "red stuff" I'm afraid. I imagine a drone with a decent flight range could come in handy for prospecting. Especially if you want to look up close at a hillside without actually climbing it.

[@ChrisRalph]

A drone certainly had great potential. Google Earth can give enough info to know where to fly the drone.

[@christhomas7178]

Hi, Chris , it's Chris Thomas hope all is well just wondering if you would like to go on a treasure hunt.? When I was a young boy my father took me to a cave the entrance was the size of a groundhog whole now that time has passed and I'm a grown man I have dug out the entrance of that spot that he took me to come to find out it is an actual mine add it that goes back 30 feet this mine at it is an unknown origin not on record approximately 100 acres of undisturbed leftover mining from the early 1800s. While I was digging out the front entrance I found an ax, I really didn't pay it any attention but held on to it anyway 23 years into this adventure last year I found a row of axe blades in three in a straight line 15 ft apart intentionally covered up with a circle of rocks around it and one on top of each axe head. I also have a map that dates back to 1836 land grant from David Campbell governor of Virginia

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks and I wish you the best of luck, but I'm just too busy.

[@Mudd-u2k]

Thank you be safe

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@ChinyamutangiraLovemore]

Quite educative and very resourcrull

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad it was helpful.

[@amysspindlespunyarn5509]

Great Video! I have large emerald and other specimens from the hiddenite mine in NC. How do you know if a gem should be sold as a crystal specimen orade into jewelry?

[@ChrisRalph]

Someone with experience in crystal sales and jewelry would have to look at it in person and give you an evaluation.

[@thankyou7118]

I would like to sign up for the adventure offer at the end of this video I am a fan and value the time you give to future rock hounds and others a adventure of amy kind successful or not would be winning the lottery .😊

[@ChrisRalph]

What offer was this? Not sure I follow you.

[@yaddahaysmarmalite4059]

I've found emeralds in North Carolina. They were in a creek and tumbled for awhile. So, I know they're coming out of somewhere upstream. I've long wanted to understand the geology better and perhaps find where they may be coming out of. Its not an area where emeralds or anything else in particular had been previously mined. Interestingly, there's a lot of blue quartz to be found in this creek. I didn't even know blue quartz was a thing till I brought some samples to a local gem show to be indentified. Sometimes the best way to find stuff is to go down in a creek and sort through the gravel along its banks.

[@ChrisRalph]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@johnhubbard6262]

Man O Man, I just knew when you said Pegmatite you were going to show Tourmaline, I live in S.D. North County, and for years I have looked for any open spots in the traditional areas. Pretty much you are going to have to buy a property that is in a potential location and then God forbid Ca. finds out you are mining, Me I would just say I am digging with my back hole for an Olympic-sized pool.

[@ChrisRalph]

Its been years, but I've hiked around the old tourmaline areas of norther San Diego County.

[@worlderrorcoins]

Hi thanks

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you liked it.

[@TheLubowski]

WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE TO BE AN ASPIRING LAP LAD AND HEAR A MAINE LOCATION, and on a fairly new video nonetheless!

[@ChrisRalph]

Yep. Maine pegmatites have produced some really amazing gems 💎

[@ridatinnitus7102]

Very good video But what about the origin of the word after the Noah's flood ? You didn't mention Yemen as one of the places where you can find a diversity of gemstone and gold😢 Also we have different types of stones and rocks because our country is mostly mountainous ⛰️ like granite and Marble and in that stones there's a lot of different gemstones like Tourmaline and quartz . My question: is there a good type of quartz crystals in the Dolomite? And if there is an electronic version of your book ? Thanks for your reply in advance

[@ChrisRalph]

You are right that I didn't mention every place on earth that has gemstone or gold. There is not an electronic version of the book.

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

There are some pretty big pegmatites in Arkansas.

[@ChrisRalph]

Interesting.... sounds like someplace to explore.

[@seanb3516]

At 12:55 Moustached Bionic Man Photo Bombing a boring Rock Picture. XD

[@ChrisRalph]

Indeed.

[@unpopuIaropinion]

Would iron ore mines be a good location to look for minerals/gems ?

[@ChrisRalph]

Maybe. It's too general a question for a simple yes or no answer. Not all iron deposits are the same.

[@unpopuIaropinion]

@@ChrisRalph What are we looking for in terms of geology ?

[@thevibes4033]

Ralph I'm starting gold prospecting will gpx 5000 in Forest .is that good start

[@ChrisRalph]

In Forest, California? The 5000 is a good metal detector. I found a lot of gold with mine.

[@thevibes4033]

@@ChrisRalph im in Ghana africa.is like I'm a little bit scared can you advise me. Is a forest reserve I want to start the prospecting

[@johnhelms]

I have been enjoying your videos. I am a amateur gold prospector, but I specifically want information about ruby vein5. Reason being is there is one on the property. I know because a little dog has brought up a couple little rubies to us in the past as well as I can clearly see them, where it splits into separate veins. Don't want to give up to much information as we don't want anyone to know. I'm from North Carolina, not in the mountains, one veins is protruding about 3 to 3 and a half feet above the rest of the ground. I want to see what is there without damaging the gems,could your make a video about ruby veins as I can't find out much about ruby veins, I've searched without any luck or send a link if you already have made one I haven't seen. Thank you for the information on the videos and any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@ChrisRalph]

I'm not really sure what you are looking for. Ruby does not form veins of ruby - this is why you can't find information on them. There are veins with some ruby in it. Far more common are veins and other deposits with lots of red garnet. Is it possible that what you have is garnet? Check out my video on ruby and sapphire. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3q6ZZ-amrSkp68

[@johnhelms]

Can you make a video about ruby veins, I been trying to find information about them without any luck.

[@ChrisRalph]

I'm not really sure what you are looking for. Ruby does not form veins of ruby - this is why you can't find information on them. There are veins with some ruby in it. Far more common are veins and other deposits with lots of red garnet. Is it possible that what you have is garnet? Check out my video on ruby and sapphire. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3q6ZZ-amrSkp68

[@thevibes4033]

I'm in Ghana and I'm about to to start gold prospecting in a Forest reserve and I'm a little bit scared. Can you advise me sir

[@ChrisRalph]

I do not know the dangers of prospecting in Ghana, so I cannot advise you.

[@stephennelson6975]

I just started a job that has me frequently traveling the I80 corridor between Sacramento and Salt Lake City. How do I find the abandoned mines you frequently talk about?

[@ChrisRalph]

Get a copy of a district report book like “Bulletin 193 - Gold Districts of California”. You can buy a paper copy, but if you search around on google, there are free PDF copies available to download. Read about all the mining districts that are along or close to I-80.

[@Llamassu218]

I'm really looking forward to hopefully hearing from you. I'm serious I have some things that you probably might not have really seen before in person. And some things that can't even be explained... And I would love for you to help try to give me an explanation

[@ChrisRalph]

I appreciate your interest, but I do not offer any services for personal training, consulting or advisement. I get many such requests and simply do not have time to help all who ask.

[@ANWARANWAR-pg1vd]

Hi chris, i realy need your help about some infirmation about metal detectors can i connect to you some how ?

[@ChrisRalph]

I have lots and lots of information about metal detectors in my videos. Please watch those videos and I am sure your questions will be answered.

[@ANWARANWAR-pg1vd]

@@ChrisRalph Thanks for the replay; I searched your channel. very rich and helpful. What I'm looking for is the cheapest and best metal detector for finding treasure. Romans especially, which can be hidden in rocks on the ground or meters under. If you can point me to some devices that will help me, I can give you more details if you want. Thanks a lot.

[@RenBias]

Are there any stones found specifically in clay or limestone?

[@ChrisRalph]

There are some that can be.

[@unpopuIaropinion]

I have bought your book! I want to find new deposits in areas where there have been no DOCUMENTED significant discoveries. Will your book help me ? Any books you can recommend me to help me find mineral/gem deposits in new areas ?

[@ChrisRalph]

You need a geology background if you are going to do that and yes, my book has that sort of information. But I will say you want to do is a very difficult task - don't expect that it will be easy, and success will come with very little work.

[@unpopuIaropinion]

@@ChrisRalph Thank you. I do not have a Geology background but I am willing to learn. I am in Crete, Greece. Any books you can recommend ?

[@ChrisRalph]

I know only a little of the geology of the mainland peninsula of Greece. I know nothing of Crete.

[@JJ2000k]

Chris thank you for the informative video, you got my sub! My family is getting into gem collecting and I am studying gold deposits. Any suggestions for us living in the Maricopa and Pinal County? I can't wait for your gold book to get here, but I'm not sure it will address my area specifically for gemstones.

[@ChrisRalph]

The book is more directed to gold but does have a good general geology section. There is good gold in Maricopa and Pinal Counties.

[@JJ2000k]

Thanks Chris, I am planning on finding some good gold!@@ChrisRalph

[@MarkOBrienmarkspage1]

I live in Colorado and I've been trying to find any kind of smokey quartz crystals or anything like that and they're super rare. I'd be happy just to find some nice crystals let alone some type of rare mineral

[@ChrisRalph]

They are out there to be found, but yes, they are rare.

[@PatriceTaylor-u4i]

Can Dexpan be effective in breaking up hard rock around pegmatite pockets without breaking the crystals?

[@ChrisRalph]

Yes it can be used that way.

[@alexkaring]

Is Crystal Peak in Dog Valley one of these pegmatite formations?

[@ChrisRalph]

Yes, it is an unusual quartz rich pegmatite.

[@jeffmoore8923]

I live in N.C I’ve heard there’s an abundance of gold and Jems in this state what’s your thought thanks.

[@ChrisRalph]

Yes, there are gold and gems in N.C.

[@PatriceTaylor-u4i]

Is it possible to find crystals in residual placer locations where you'd also be looking for gold veins?❤

[@ChrisRalph]

Its possible, but most quartz veins have a limited number of good crystals.

[@nicknameswayne]

I'm in Eastern oregon, in the Owyhee desert. Lots of crystals and stuff, but where would i look for topaz, tourmaline, sapphires, etc. out here? What kind of rock or specifc rock features would I look for? I'm close to succor creek formations and the famous leslie gulch. I know where to find opal, thundereggs, calcite quartz, ect. But I really want to find a precious harder stone to make a ring for someone!

[@nicknameswayne]

Or even Sunstone. I know there is sunstone several hours west of me, but I guess they could be out here, too?

[@ChrisRalph]

Every gemstone is not found everywhere - they are rare and only found in certain places. If you look where they are not found, your chances of success are really low.

[@nicknameswayne]

There are reports of people finding saphires out here in a place called succor creek but I guess I just don't know where to look exactly or indicators. Thanks

[@Tropamoshanelle]

Hi sir! I'm Garry from Philippines.. I always watch your videos..if you don't mind sir..I found a rock that have a big crystal.. but I don't any idea if it is a valuable..can I send to you a fixture of this rock sir..pls help me..thank you..God bless..

[@ChrisRalph]

Sorry - I get quite a few people every day who want me to ID their rock and mineral photos. I do not offer a mineral ID service, mostly because it’s not as easy as you think. Usually, minerals cannot be identified from just a picture. Please watch my videos on how to Identify minerals for yourself. Part 1 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6HOiGhuj8qEosU and Part 2 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIC6oGdvjZ5jnaM and Part 3 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZLFZoGknLefjNk - Those videos should answer a lot of your questions.

[@earthprospector]

Let’s not forget that most of these places to find these valuables are owned by private mine owners and or Federal land where you cannot sell these finds unless you are the claim owner. Know where you’re digging and please respect private claim owners. Mineral trespass can face heavy fines and jail time.

[@ChrisRalph]

very true. with research once in a great while claims are allowed to expire and things come open.

[@earthprospector]

Thanks Chris, Very true but people need to know the rules and laws or know exactly where they can dig and collect. As a mining claim owner of a very valuable mine I have had valuable pockets cleaned out from High graders and claim jumpers. It has been worse because of social media. I appreciate all you do but perhaps put a disclaimer stating to make sure people do their own research to not mineral trespass. And to prospect where it is legal to collect. I would love to have you out in Southern California to visit. Many blessings.

[@ChrisRalph]

I do have a couple videos on mining claim law and how to stake a claim. However I'll bet that the majority of your High graders and claim jumpers are not innocent folks just out exploring, but people who don't care about your ownership and are intentionally high grading. That's been my experience anyway.

[@earthprospector]

Agreed. Thank you again for taking the time to comment. You have a new Subscriber and I will make my way over to mining claim law videos. Again, thank you for all you do. I will contact you one of these days and love to have you out to the mine. Many blessings to you. ⛏💎❤

[@ChrisRalph]

I do travel to southern Calif. regularly. I have relatives down there. I used to poke around the tourmaline deposits on the Pala reservation in the late 1970s.

[@Darby-qu6hz]

I live in Maine in Oxford and there is a lot of watermelon , termaline.

[@ChrisRalph]

A lot of great tourmaline in watermelon and other colors too.

[@garrettmillsap]

Im searching for the pegmatite in my area that produced a softball size chromite crystal

[@ChrisRalph]

Chromite is not a mineral usually found in pegmatites.

[@garrettmillsap]

@@ChrisRalph I wasn't sure, I found it in the quartzville oregon drainage. Was gold prospecting and dug it out of river gravel. It's been tumbled quite a bit to where is pretty much round and the size of a softball lol. Pegmatite was all I could think of that it came from.

[@ChrisRalph]

Chromite is common in and around serpentine rock outcrops. There is plenty of serpentine in that area.

[@garrettmillsap]

@@ChrisRalph thank you for that information Chris! Much appreciated!

[@JesshonSadePacanut]

❤

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mattgohlke8216]

My wife and I got into this hobby recently, but we live in the Adirondacks and northern New York, I don't think theres a ton here and we haven't figured out how to look for anything thats bigger than large dust. Should we be actually digging underground in the areas that we do find pegmatite? Pegmatite itself we find plenty of, but not with any large crystals of anything other than quartz. And even then its just milky chunk material rather than actual crystal.

[@ChrisRalph]

To find better se4arching locations, consult books of locations where gems have been found in your region.

[@angelat2917]

Great jnfo! Thank you!

[@DCSATX]

Any way I can send pics of my finds?

[@ChrisRalph]

Sorry - I get quite a few people every day who want me to ID their rock and mineral photos. I do not offer a mineral ID service, mostly because it’s not as easy as you think. Usually, minerals cannot be identified from just a picture. Please watch my videos on how to Identify minerals for yourself. Part 1 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6HOiGhuj8qEosU and Part 2 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIC6oGdvjZ5jnaM and Part 3 can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZLFZoGknLefjNk - Those videos should answer a lot of your questions.

[@Llamassu218]

And all of this for the most part sits right off the Mississippi River like right off the Mississippi is not far

[@ChrisRalph]

I appreciate your interest, but I do not offer any services for personal training, consulting or advisement. I get many such requests and simply do not have time to help all who ask.

[@Hurlewupp]

👍 ❤❤ 💎 ❤❤ 👍

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks

[@malcomshaw5962]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💎

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks.

[@johnchism5728]

Anyone interested in doing some prospecting for possible gems in central Arizona between Sugarloaf Mountain and Sycamore Creek area to Four Peaks? I'm physically unable to walk to places i hiked years ago. But I can show you where to search. Pegmatite dikes along the top of mountain ridges, that are like short walls about a foot wide with areas with bulges that could be voids. These dikes have smooth sides with small different colors of clear stones showing. The granite around them has decomposed away from them to expose them. 30 years ago, one comes to mind close to highway 84 turnoff to Sugarloaf Mountain and Sycamore Creek across from the road to Four Peaks. Other veins of dark and light greens with green and black crystals are around the area. Quartz veins with 1 to 2 center crystalline veins have silvery to red metallic crystals of hematite? That is blackish gray until freshly broken. One of those veins is about a foot wide and at least a mile long. My family had a mining camp in the 1980s southwest of Sugarloaf Mountain. I know that whole area well.

[@ChrisRalph]

Four peaks, AZ of course is famous for its Amethyst.

[@johnchism5728]

@@ChrisRalph absolutely, I've been there several times in the 1970s. I had many pounds of amethyst points. I just recently gave them to a friend. While amethyst can be heat treated to make topaz. The amethyst from the Four Peaks doesn't. Some tests say it has rhodium?

[@ChrisRalph]

Heated amethyst is citrine, not topaz. I'm sure if one heated it just right in the right conditions, one could get Four Peaks to turn citrine colored.

[@honeyhancockk9818]

Yes pwease take me wif you

[@ChrisRalph]

Sorry, that is not possible.

[@Llamassu218]

I know where there's multiple locations... pockets so to speak

[@ChrisRalph]

I appreciate your interest, but I do not offer any services for personal training, consulting or advisement. I get many such requests and simply do not have time to help all who ask.

[@jeromelambert1902]

brazil minis ger Rise

[@ChrisRalph]

Minas Gerias. Actually pronounced - mee·naas zhr·ise

[@dustinhourihan6201]

Lol hindu what? @26:42

[@ChrisRalph]

clearly 4

[@russtgrower750]

My wifes gonna love this one!

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds great - she must like gems and crystals.

[@russtgrower750]

@@ChrisRalph yes and shes a rockhound bad lol