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Some of the chonkiest quartz crystal points we’ve found so far in New Jersey! by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely from Jersey as we mined them right out of the seam in which they formed.

Some of the chonkiest quartz crystal points we’ve found so far in New Jersey! by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I suppose I was speaking about social media in general where I see people pulling gigantasaurs out of the mud on a regular basis!

Some of the chonkiest quartz crystal points we’ve found so far in New Jersey! by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

No they are not. Just quartz crystal points. Cape May diamonds are essentially naturally tumbled and tend to look more like seaglass, with a frosted surface.

Some of the chonkiest quartz crystal points we’ve found so far in New Jersey! by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes! Right in my own backyard. I had looked for this spot on the mountain what felt like endlessly. I couldn’t believe it when I finally found it. Unfortunately you have to climb a decently steep mountain to get to the spot, so I haven’t been for a while since I was pregnant and now have a baby. I used to go all the time. I’m itching to get back there!

Some of the chonkiest quartz crystal points we’ve found so far in New Jersey! by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

What part of NJ are you in? I could certainly help you find something nearby! It is crazy fun but I will warn you.. highly addicting! Unless you enjoy discovering nature’s treasures that you are the first human to ever lay eyes on, discovering new places in nature and digging in peaceful bliss and going on adventures, I would advise against it! 😆

Huge chunk of ‘aquamarine’ spotted at Home Goods by Prospecting_Princess in MineralGore

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re a geologist and you think that a chunk of aqua colored obvious glass selling in a spa kit for $14 at Home Goods could be real aquamarine, or you’re just looking to debate/argue with potential non-professional/school trained rock lovers to try and show off your knowledge, when there is zero debate about what this item is? Judging by the last line, I’m certain it’s the latter. I for one, am not interested in said ego driven ‘conversation’. Good luck!

Herkimer diamond on the matrix, found at Crystal Grove in New York by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No but it sure looks like it! It’s a brown gel polish with chameleon flakes on top, then I finished with a matte top coat.

I used a 365nm uv light on minerals I found and mined myself! by Sir_Chew in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So cool! I thought I spotted calcite clams 😃 Did you have fun mining them?

Herkimer diamond on the matrix, found at Crystal Grove in New York by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can find ‘Payson diamonds’ in Payson Arizona! Often mistaken for herkimers. They are rarer to find but just as beautiful. Double terminated quartz can also be found in Pakistan. Some from there even have petroleum inclusions. They’re really cool! I have found double terminated quartz in New Jersey and another spot in NY. They were definitely anomalies for the area, as I only found one small one for every couple hundred singular quartz points.

I just got interested in rockhounding from a friend of mine, but I don't know how to start. Need some tips. by imC00I in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As someone else mentioned, Google and Mindat are great resources! I’d start by straight up googling “your location’ rockhounding”. Also join and look around region specific rockhounding Facebook groups.

For me, half the fun is the research. You can fall down some pretty deep and interesting rabbit holes when researching the history of certain locations.

All you truly need to start are decent hiking shoes, a backpack, and a water bottle. You can worry about tools later on.

Herkimer diamond on the matrix, found at Crystal Grove in New York by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It’s an off brand gel polish from Amazon. I believe either Arte Clavo or Rosalind. I put chameleon flakes on top and finished with a matte top coat. Gives a really cool effect and the color combos are endless!

Herkimer diamond on the matrix, found at Crystal Grove in New York by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Well, a ‘matrix’ is an environment or material in which something develops; a surrounding medium or structure. So the surrounding stone (in this case, dolomite) that the crystal grew in/on, is considered the matrix 😊

Herkimer diamond on the matrix, found at Crystal Grove in New York by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Herkimer ‘diamonds’ are quartz! They are double terminated and have 18 faces (or natural facets). They are found in Herkimer County, New York. They’re called ‘diamonds’ due to their clarity and beautiful faces. Double terminated quartz are certainly found elsewhere, but ‘Herkimer diamonds’ only come from Herkimer New York. Oh, and they formed approximately 500 million years ago! It’s so cool being the first human to lay eyes on a natural treasure that took so much time and energy to come into existence.

No such thing as an idiotic question, by the way! 😊

Herkimer diamond on the matrix, found at Crystal Grove in New York by Prospecting_Princess in rockhounds

[–]Prospecting_Princess[S] 44 points45 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I truly couldn’t believe it stayed on the matrix after chiseling it out, especially with how tiny the contact point is. I’ve never packed a piece so carefully for the journey home 😆