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Advice needed on Lordsburg NM trip
We are planning a trip to Lordsburg, NM the middle of next month. My
brother is on an extended bussiness trip there, and will able to visit
him and rockhound for a few days. I'd like some info on where to
collect. We will be stopping at Rockhound State park on the way. I read
or heard somewhere that in the area there are thundereggs. I need
pretty specific locations/ driving instructions as I get lost easily!
LOL Also lots of agates and other quartz minerals/gems? What else? Any
help?? It would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance. Garry
brother is on an extended bussiness trip there, and will able to visit
him and rockhound for a few days. I'd like some info on where to
collect. We will be stopping at Rockhound State park on the way. I read
or heard somewhere that in the area there are thundereggs. I need
pretty specific locations/ driving instructions as I get lost easily!
LOL Also lots of agates and other quartz minerals/gems? What else? Any
help?? It would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance. Garry
A Day At The Beach In SoCal
This trip is January 19th, is sponsored by the DelAir Rockhounds and
the CFMS co-op, and with the recent rains in SoCal, I am expecting
excellent conditions for hunting whale bone.
We will be meeting in the parking lot at Refugio State Beach at 11AM, Saturday, Jan 19th. Look for the XTerra with happy faces all over it :)
The will be a short talk/introduction with specimens for the uninitiated to see so they have an idea what to look for. All participants will be required to sign a CFMS waiver.
In adition to whalebone finds (whalebone is like dinosaur boneand can
takea good polish), beach washed agates, jasper and cherts may be
found. It's possible to find beach jade although rare below Point Concepcion.
Low tide is at 2:13 PM, so we have a good 5-6 hours of hunting time
available. After we cover Refugio, we can go to Gaviota and/or El
Capitan to look as well. Those with experience may be asked to help
those who have not been here before, and we may split up with groups
going to the different beaches if we have a large number of people.
This is a good trip for young and old, with only as much walking as you wish to do.
Dress warmly, but layered. I expect 45-50 degree weather, but I have
seen 70 degrees at this time as well. Bring old shoes(water shoes if you have them) and a change of dry clothes for the trip home.
The mini-mart will be CLOSED, so bring any food and beverages you
wish to consume. No dogs or alcohol are allowed on the sand portions
of the beach, but are ok in the Park areas if kept under control (leash or pen) I will have my dogs if its not too cold (they're hairless) and if my wife is up to the trip.
Entry fee is $8 for the day, and covers all the state beaches.
Above all, have FUN!!!! And don't mess with any critters that may be
sunbathing :)
See you there
Jon Meredith
the CFMS co-op, and with the recent rains in SoCal, I am expecting
excellent conditions for hunting whale bone.
We will be meeting in the parking lot at Refugio State Beach at 11AM, Saturday, Jan 19th. Look for the XTerra with happy faces all over it :)
The will be a short talk/introduction with specimens for the uninitiated to see so they have an idea what to look for. All participants will be required to sign a CFMS waiver.
In adition to whalebone finds (whalebone is like dinosaur boneand can
takea good polish), beach washed agates, jasper and cherts may be
found. It's possible to find beach jade although rare below Point Concepcion.
Low tide is at 2:13 PM, so we have a good 5-6 hours of hunting time
available. After we cover Refugio, we can go to Gaviota and/or El
Capitan to look as well. Those with experience may be asked to help
those who have not been here before, and we may split up with groups
going to the different beaches if we have a large number of people.
This is a good trip for young and old, with only as much walking as you wish to do.
Dress warmly, but layered. I expect 45-50 degree weather, but I have
seen 70 degrees at this time as well. Bring old shoes(water shoes if you have them) and a change of dry clothes for the trip home.
The mini-mart will be CLOSED, so bring any food and beverages you
wish to consume. No dogs or alcohol are allowed on the sand portions
of the beach, but are ok in the Park areas if kept under control (leash or pen) I will have my dogs if its not too cold (they're hairless) and if my wife is up to the trip.
Entry fee is $8 for the day, and covers all the state beaches.
Above all, have FUN!!!! And don't mess with any critters that may be
sunbathing :)
See you there
Jon Meredith
How to wire wrap a gemstone vug
I thought it might be cool to offer some stones with different kinds of vugs in them within my store inventory view link so that folks who like to design jewelry can find interesting ways to use the vug while wrapping the stone.
Not knowing how to wire wrap myself, after some discussion view link , I asked an experienced jewelry designer to wrap one for me. What I was hoping for was to actually use the vug in a way as to run the wire through it as part of the overall wrap design, instead of just the perimeter of the stone.
There is a pic showing what I am talking about by utilizing the vug into the overall wire wrap design over in the image postings.
There are many different ways that this stone or any other stone with a vug can be wrapped in a way that the wire can be run through and highlight the beauty of the vug. It does not have to cover too much of the stone, and so it also compliments the wrap very nicely which can be just as beautiful as the stone if not more so sometimes. The overall design offers a nice happy medium between stone and wire design.
The lady who wrapped this one picked an excellent design. I am very happy to be able to use this one as an example to others. Hopefully initiating a fresh little spark of creativity. With a little luck, considering purchasing stones like this from my store so they to can give it a whirl too.
Nice vugs do not present themselves all that often while cutting up slabs.
I will probably create a special area in store eventually specific to these special stones. Since they don't really come up that often, it may be that if someone is interested in these types of stones, they can let me know and I will in return simply contact them when they come up while I am slicing various rough minerals. The one in the photo is a Dryhead agate. If they are all gone once you have read this post, you can also view what some of them looked like by checking out my most recent newsletter view link .
As of this blog posting, I do have some stones with vugs in stock. Don't be surprised if they are sold ! Remember, if you would like to wrap one of these stones with a vug using your own special creative vug wrap design, just contact me view link and we can talk about the different types of minerals and make arrangements for me to contact you when one of these unique stones present themselves while slabbing.
Dryhead agate with vugs in stock view link
Youngite agate with vug in stock view link
Indonesian Fossilized Coral with vug in stock view link
Not knowing how to wire wrap myself, after some discussion view link , I asked an experienced jewelry designer to wrap one for me. What I was hoping for was to actually use the vug in a way as to run the wire through it as part of the overall wrap design, instead of just the perimeter of the stone.
There is a pic showing what I am talking about by utilizing the vug into the overall wire wrap design over in the image postings.
There are many different ways that this stone or any other stone with a vug can be wrapped in a way that the wire can be run through and highlight the beauty of the vug. It does not have to cover too much of the stone, and so it also compliments the wrap very nicely which can be just as beautiful as the stone if not more so sometimes. The overall design offers a nice happy medium between stone and wire design.
The lady who wrapped this one picked an excellent design. I am very happy to be able to use this one as an example to others. Hopefully initiating a fresh little spark of creativity. With a little luck, considering purchasing stones like this from my store so they to can give it a whirl too.
Nice vugs do not present themselves all that often while cutting up slabs.
I will probably create a special area in store eventually specific to these special stones. Since they don't really come up that often, it may be that if someone is interested in these types of stones, they can let me know and I will in return simply contact them when they come up while I am slicing various rough minerals. The one in the photo is a Dryhead agate. If they are all gone once you have read this post, you can also view what some of them looked like by checking out my most recent newsletter view link .
As of this blog posting, I do have some stones with vugs in stock. Don't be surprised if they are sold ! Remember, if you would like to wrap one of these stones with a vug using your own special creative vug wrap design, just contact me view link and we can talk about the different types of minerals and make arrangements for me to contact you when one of these unique stones present themselves while slabbing.
Dryhead agate with vugs in stock view link
Youngite agate with vug in stock view link
Indonesian Fossilized Coral with vug in stock view link
Dedication and Tough Love of a Gemstone Business
Well over a year ago I decided to try buying and selling gemstones. It meant an initial large quantity purchase.
I remember taking 1000.00 much to the displeasure of my spouse for the initial investment for a rather limited selection of stones.
Remembering back to that very day... The arguing between us was not a lot of fun.
I made the decision when I placed my first order that it would mean a great deal of dedication, and yes...., tough love for the business!
There have been many many times when the household could have used some of the income from the profits of my gemstone business, but am I sure glad that I stayed dedicated to the hardest thing of all required of myself. To continue and reinvest every single penny back into the business.
Now over a year later, I have a very nice inventory, and have managed to pay for some great lapidary equipment that has released me from being required to buy gemstones from someone else.
Of course there has been a "HUGE" amount of learning on how to get excellent search engine optimization (SEO) results.
After many hard choices and a few difficult arguments, Things are finally moving along nicely. I have exceeded my initial "realistic" expectations for the business, and recently have noticed a substantial amount of repeat business from an established customer base that continues to grow.
Why am I posting this.....??
Perhaps someone else reading this is finding themselves in a similar situation. Maybe that initial investment required while getting negative support from others who are important and close to you.
I guess, just wanted to share that if you have that burning desire to give a gemstone/jewelry related business a go, it will likely mean times of tough love and dedication not appreciated by others.
I just would like to share how important it is going in to something like this to recognize right off the bat that we all will likely find ourselves placing our dedication for our gemstone/jewelry related businesses over that of our regular household expenses.
For me, it was a must!
Maybe this sounds a little redundant. When you think about it, the same is true for all business ventures, but just felt the desire to share a couple of the toughest of trials and tribulations for my gemstone business. For myself, the long term success in such a competitive business as gemstones was only possible by placing the gemstone business first. No matter what!
Now that I have typed this out, I find myself reluctant to post it. I do not mean for it to come across any other way except to give hope to someone else like myself that may just now be starting out and finding themselves facing similar resistance.
Hope it all makes sense......
I remember taking 1000.00 much to the displeasure of my spouse for the initial investment for a rather limited selection of stones.
Remembering back to that very day... The arguing between us was not a lot of fun.
I made the decision when I placed my first order that it would mean a great deal of dedication, and yes...., tough love for the business!
There have been many many times when the household could have used some of the income from the profits of my gemstone business, but am I sure glad that I stayed dedicated to the hardest thing of all required of myself. To continue and reinvest every single penny back into the business.
Now over a year later, I have a very nice inventory, and have managed to pay for some great lapidary equipment that has released me from being required to buy gemstones from someone else.
Of course there has been a "HUGE" amount of learning on how to get excellent search engine optimization (SEO) results.
After many hard choices and a few difficult arguments, Things are finally moving along nicely. I have exceeded my initial "realistic" expectations for the business, and recently have noticed a substantial amount of repeat business from an established customer base that continues to grow.
Why am I posting this.....??
Perhaps someone else reading this is finding themselves in a similar situation. Maybe that initial investment required while getting negative support from others who are important and close to you.
I guess, just wanted to share that if you have that burning desire to give a gemstone/jewelry related business a go, it will likely mean times of tough love and dedication not appreciated by others.
I just would like to share how important it is going in to something like this to recognize right off the bat that we all will likely find ourselves placing our dedication for our gemstone/jewelry related businesses over that of our regular household expenses.
For me, it was a must!
Maybe this sounds a little redundant. When you think about it, the same is true for all business ventures, but just felt the desire to share a couple of the toughest of trials and tribulations for my gemstone business. For myself, the long term success in such a competitive business as gemstones was only possible by placing the gemstone business first. No matter what!
Now that I have typed this out, I find myself reluctant to post it. I do not mean for it to come across any other way except to give hope to someone else like myself that may just now be starting out and finding themselves facing similar resistance.
Hope it all makes sense......
A few special gemstone items worth the look
Hope it is ok to plug a few items from time to time. If not, please drop me a note and let me know.
I just added a page to my website. There is view link you can bookmark from the main page of the site that will take you to view the items.
These items are worth the look. I will be rotating items out of the store inventories categories from time to time, and marking them at or below cost.
Here are the first few items. view linktaogemstones_018.htm
Enjoy! :D
I just added a page to my website. There is view link you can bookmark from the main page of the site that will take you to view the items.
These items are worth the look. I will be rotating items out of the store inventories categories from time to time, and marking them at or below cost.
Here are the first few items. view linktaogemstones_018.htm
Enjoy! :D
Only SoCal - Fossiking in December!
Bobby's (my BF) holiday present this year was a project truck - an old Chevy Blazer 4x4. What better way to christen it than a fieldtrip!
The sky was cloudy and threatening all the way out of the Los Angeles Basin but as we hit I-5N heading for the Bakersfield area the clouds got whiter and blue sky shown thru!!!
We met Shep, Ron, Ellen,her daughter and about a half dozen new friends (sorry - I am not that good with names) at the Chevron station on the road to Ant Hill.
Following introductions and discussion of materials to be found (Shep brought great displays of teeth, whale vertabrae and a cast of the sea lion brain he has found on previous trips), we caravaned up the road to Ant Hill.
Any of you who have met me know that I spend 60% of my life in a chair in front of a computer - so the 3/4 of a mile - up hill hike to the site almost did me in. But - let me tell you once you are up there it's all sit down work!
We found a hole we liked on the front side and the rest of the group went around to the other side and down into the basin a little. Following discussions with my energetic, construction worker boyfriend about the difference between digging fossils and digging rock - LOL - we went to work. Bobby knocked down the overhang (in some of the trenches you can almost crawl under the overhang it's so deep) and shoveled it and the lose dirt in the bottom of the trench over to my waiting screen (thanks Shep for bringing extra screens). Bobby went to work on the wall with his chisel and I sifted. It was a perfect bit of teamwork - when his legs got cramped from working the wall he would get up and shovel more loads to me.
At one point we thought we had a jawbone - teeth were popping up every where! We found an assortment of hooked Mako, Straight Shark and whale (?) teeth. Lots of bone from rib bone sections to large chunks that we decided to break up at home.
We took a lunch break around 1pm - stretched our legs and enjoyed the view of the beautiful day, Shark Tooth Hill and the rural valley below. A few minutes later we hit the trench again...about 3pm our side of the hill was in the shade and we were ready to go!
We packed up everthing, vacated our trench and took a walk to say GoodBye! The wisdom of digging on the other side became apparent when we saw how sunny the otherside of the hill still was. There was a definate "concretion mission" going on (one woman found a great whale vertebrae) as well as a good portion of the group (especially the kids) exploring agate down the wash and along the old creek bed.
We walked to the end of the trench on the sunny side and Bobby picked up the largest Shark Tooth of our collection laying in the loose dirt in the bottom of a trench!
Well - just over 2 dozen teeth and half a coffe can of bone was enough for us so we said our Goodbyes and headed down the hill. On the ride home Bobby asked when the fossil trip to Santa Barbara was and could he bring his fishing pole? I think he is hooked!!!
Thanks Shep for the invite and keep us on your list! BTW - did you get your screen back? Bobby didn't want you to have to carry it down the hill - on top of your load!
Robyn Hawk
The sky was cloudy and threatening all the way out of the Los Angeles Basin but as we hit I-5N heading for the Bakersfield area the clouds got whiter and blue sky shown thru!!!
We met Shep, Ron, Ellen,her daughter and about a half dozen new friends (sorry - I am not that good with names) at the Chevron station on the road to Ant Hill.
Following introductions and discussion of materials to be found (Shep brought great displays of teeth, whale vertabrae and a cast of the sea lion brain he has found on previous trips), we caravaned up the road to Ant Hill.
Any of you who have met me know that I spend 60% of my life in a chair in front of a computer - so the 3/4 of a mile - up hill hike to the site almost did me in. But - let me tell you once you are up there it's all sit down work!
We found a hole we liked on the front side and the rest of the group went around to the other side and down into the basin a little. Following discussions with my energetic, construction worker boyfriend about the difference between digging fossils and digging rock - LOL - we went to work. Bobby knocked down the overhang (in some of the trenches you can almost crawl under the overhang it's so deep) and shoveled it and the lose dirt in the bottom of the trench over to my waiting screen (thanks Shep for bringing extra screens). Bobby went to work on the wall with his chisel and I sifted. It was a perfect bit of teamwork - when his legs got cramped from working the wall he would get up and shovel more loads to me.
At one point we thought we had a jawbone - teeth were popping up every where! We found an assortment of hooked Mako, Straight Shark and whale (?) teeth. Lots of bone from rib bone sections to large chunks that we decided to break up at home.
We took a lunch break around 1pm - stretched our legs and enjoyed the view of the beautiful day, Shark Tooth Hill and the rural valley below. A few minutes later we hit the trench again...about 3pm our side of the hill was in the shade and we were ready to go!
We packed up everthing, vacated our trench and took a walk to say GoodBye! The wisdom of digging on the other side became apparent when we saw how sunny the otherside of the hill still was. There was a definate "concretion mission" going on (one woman found a great whale vertebrae) as well as a good portion of the group (especially the kids) exploring agate down the wash and along the old creek bed.
We walked to the end of the trench on the sunny side and Bobby picked up the largest Shark Tooth of our collection laying in the loose dirt in the bottom of a trench!
Well - just over 2 dozen teeth and half a coffe can of bone was enough for us so we said our Goodbyes and headed down the hill. On the ride home Bobby asked when the fossil trip to Santa Barbara was and could he bring his fishing pole? I think he is hooked!!!
Thanks Shep for the invite and keep us on your list! BTW - did you get your screen back? Bobby didn't want you to have to carry it down the hill - on top of your load!
Robyn Hawk
TaoGem's Quarterly Newsletter for January 2008
Gemstone / Lapidary Quarterly Newsletter for January 2008 view link
Link to entire newsletter for individuals, resellers, wholesalers, cutters, designers, and other gemstone related niches. view link
Just wanted to say Happy New Year!
Hope you all have a nice evening and a great start on the new year!
CANDIDATES - it's time to talk Science!
I've watched the Sciencedebate2008 effort in recent weeks with skepticism at first: How many Web-based political projects are worth attention? But this is important. America has a key role in the world's future. The United States is the world's largest funder of scientific activity. But at a time when science is crucial, the candidates for president are saying nothing—and the mass media don't even know what's at stake.
Yesterday the two credentialed scientists in Congress, physicists Vern Ehlers and Rush Holt, signed on as co-chairs of the Sciencedebate2008 project. The object is to get the presidential candidates to hold a debate on science and technology policy as soon as possible. I am endorsing it, and I'm asking my fellow About.com Guides to do the same.
view link
Yesterday the two credentialed scientists in Congress, physicists Vern Ehlers and Rush Holt, signed on as co-chairs of the Sciencedebate2008 project. The object is to get the presidential candidates to hold a debate on science and technology policy as soon as possible. I am endorsing it, and I'm asking my fellow About.com Guides to do the same.
view link
Hello From Newport Washington
Hello all......
This group was introduced to me by Robyn after I invited him to drop by and check out our lapidary/gemstone forum at view link
I had been buying gemstones in quantities for resale. Recently have started to get a great start on a lapidary shop. It's now a whole new world of trial and error, learning, sharing, and lots of internet related projects to try and keep it all afloat.
I had hoped to sell my RV over the summer and planned on using some of the money to go to Tucson. Well the RV is still in the driveway, and unless a miracle occurs, not looking good for Tucson.
I am very pleased that Robyn will be there and blogging his activities. It will be a lot of fun to well....., watch someone else have all the fun!
Just sort of wanted to say hello and of course cant seem to just say hello any more when online. Always get this compulsion to plug my main gemstone site. view link
Drop by and check it out, as well as the forum. Lots of interesting gemstone topics.
Not exactly sure what all we do with EONS yet. Time to explore and find out.
Well, talk to you all a bit later...
This group was introduced to me by Robyn after I invited him to drop by and check out our lapidary/gemstone forum at view link
I had been buying gemstones in quantities for resale. Recently have started to get a great start on a lapidary shop. It's now a whole new world of trial and error, learning, sharing, and lots of internet related projects to try and keep it all afloat.
I had hoped to sell my RV over the summer and planned on using some of the money to go to Tucson. Well the RV is still in the driveway, and unless a miracle occurs, not looking good for Tucson.
I am very pleased that Robyn will be there and blogging his activities. It will be a lot of fun to well....., watch someone else have all the fun!
Just sort of wanted to say hello and of course cant seem to just say hello any more when online. Always get this compulsion to plug my main gemstone site. view link
Drop by and check it out, as well as the forum. Lots of interesting gemstone topics.
Not exactly sure what all we do with EONS yet. Time to explore and find out.
Well, talk to you all a bit later...
