Hi Everyone, I just signed up for this group today and I am so glad there is a group, I've been reading the posts and have already learned a few things.
I was wondering if any of y'all have ever been to the annual gem show in Tuson that is in the happens the beginning of February? If so, would it be advantageous for someone new to all of this rock hound and lapidary stuff to go to? If so, is it hard to find a hotel room?
I live in Western Kentucky and there aren't any places close to go rock hunting. I don't even know if Kentucky has any indigenous rocks or gems. If anyone knows this please let me know. I got started with all of this watching Cash and Treasures on the Travel Channel. I've been on disability for almost 10 years now because of a very rare hereditary disorder I have and thought that it would be a good hobby for me to start.
I was also wondering if anyone had ever been to Hiddenite, North Carolina to search for the emeralds and other gem stones they have there? If so, did you find any? Also, has anyone been to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, if so did you find any diamonds there?
Those two places are close enough for me to drive to that I could go and spend a long weekend hunting. If anyone knows of anywhere else that's not to far from me to go, if you would please let me know I would be forever grateful. About the only thing to go hunting around here is for arrowheads, which I've done and have found a few.
To all of you that read this, Thanks. Bea
P.S. Sorry for the double post, I screwed up somewhere.
To tell you the truth.....you can do better on EBAY and dragonsayeauctions.com than you can do going to Tucson,by the time you figure in expenses. If you carefully bid on items,you can get lucky ,alot and build up your inventory quickly.You have to watch the shipping charges very closely and be prepared to buy several items,if you win a lucky $.99 item.I just won from tnvalleyminerals(in tennesse) and turned around and bought several more items and saved$6 on shipping.When I buy from julie-tom I get at least 4 items,maybe stringing them out for two weeks waiting for bids. You will do well,you go girl ! !
Look for rockhound books on eBay and Amazon. Contact your state Geology Dept about publications.
Search for rock shops and rockhound clubs that you could join.
There are all kinds of fossils and minerals in Southern Ohio/Indiana/Illinois as well as western KY and western TN. There is an excellent museum in Memphis. Excellent museum in Cincinnati.
You will have geodes, calcites, sphalerite, sea life fossils within reasonable driving distance.
People come from OH, KY, TN to N.C., S.C. and GA for rockhounding trips to for Graves Mountain rutile and dozens of minerals, Amethyst, schorl tourmaline, rose quartz, garnets, etc. Finding your own specimens takes time, luck, and someone to show you what to look for and where to look for it. A rockhound club with field trips and meetings will help you learn quickly and inexpensively.
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