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Kgizo and whitewave's crater of diamonds adventure

I wish my family could go!
 
IMG_2466.PNG IMG_2467.PNG Larry just messaged me: today he found a 2 point white and a 33 point yellow. @kgizo and I were working in the same area he was!!! Shows you there is an element of luck also
 
It was cold and hard work, but lots of fun. I would go again! This was my first time and it was a big help to have @whitewave show me what to do.
 
IMG_2471.JPG IMG_2472.JPG IMG_2474.JPG

I think I may have found one but I'm asking pros if this is a diamond or a water quartz. (Or glass)
 
IMG_2480.JPG IMG_2483.PNG

Leaning toward water quartz
 
IMG_2486.JPG
 
It is a water washed quartz. I have found some really pretty ones at the crater.

Don't let the hard work fool you. There are plenty of seniors at the crater-- they work to their ability. There was a lady with one of those walkers with the hand brake and built in chair, and she walked out to the east drain and sat on a mound and looked around her.

What the pros do is this.... I'll focus on Larry.

Larry brings 24 buckets. In the morning, he goes straight to the area where he wants to work and he puts out six groups of four buckets in different areas in the same general spot. He fills (well, about half to 3/4 full) 24 buckets while he is fresh and rested. Then, he takes about 40 minutes to bring all 24 buckets to the washing area. Then he washes for the rest of the day and when he is done, he leaves. I won't bring 24 buckets, but I will bring about 8 next time and follow this plan.

I have one more cookie sheet of gravel to look through and then I will plan my next trip.
 
whitewave said:
Ok I got in touch with the guy in the pic who is intently looking at his diamonds. He has found 77 of them through the years.
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Wow!


Seems like so much fun! I really enjoyed going through this post :)
 
Diamond_Hawk said:
Wow!


Seems like so much fun! I really enjoyed going through this post :)
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We are already planning to go back.... challenge accepted. I'm going to dig 3 days next time.... or freaking stay until I get a dag diamond! :mrgreen:
 
Wow that is so cool!!!!
 
Sunstorm said:
BTW; yeah it is true that most sources recommend going after heavy rains. Oh, momma that makes it even harder in the mud. I am thinking hazmat suit instead of stilettos. ;(

Whitewave I feel for you but think what good this does to our waistlines, not to mention the therapeutic effects on the soul. And if you find something... I am rooting for you!
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Yes, it is very theraputic on the soul. I highly recommend this if you have cobwebs in your brain you have to work out.

I keep saying it's good for the waistline, but my middle age waist aint budging! Lol.
 
I'm about to go to bed. I'll take a pic of the amethyst tomorrow.
 
Sunstorm said:
BTW; yeah it is true that most sources recommend going after heavy rains. Oh, momma that makes it even harder in the mud. I am thinking hazmat suit instead of stilettos. ;(

Whitewave I feel for you but think what good this does to our waistlines, not to mention the therapeutic effects on the soul. And if you find something... I am rooting for you!
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We were joking we shoud wear tiaras.... see if they will call out to their cousins..
 
IMG_2494.JPG IMG_2496.JPG IMG_2497.JPG apparently amethyst are hard to photograph also.

It is much prettier in person
 
Sounds like with Larry, he both has a plan (knows where he wants to dig) and goes through a lot of volume. I think if I had 24 buckets to go through, I'd end up missing the little diamonds from fatigue.
 
partgypsy said:
Sounds like with Larry, he both has a plan (knows where he wants to dig) and goes through a lot of volume. I think if I had 24 buckets to go through, I'd end up missing the little diamonds from fatigue.
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He is in construction, so we guessed he is used to manual labor.

The diamonds tend to be high color and flawless clarity, so your motivation takes over.

Supposedly you find one diamond for every 15 buckets of material you process, so I should be hitting a diamond soon.
 
Whitewave,

I have enjoyed reading your thread. I have a friend who was in Brasil some years ago and going to visit a tourmaline mine. There had been torrential rains for two days before her visit and while looking out the passenger side window she saw something sparkle as they drove buy. She asked the driver to pull over and ran back to where she had seen the sparkle. It was a very large tourmaline specimen with some gem grade material.

When she got to the mine she proudly showed it to her host who asked her where she found it. When she asked the driver, it was determined that she was already on the mine property. She promptly turned it over to her host. She was then treated like royalty by her host.

I suspect that going after a large or long rain would indeed multiply your chances of finding a treasure.

Wink
 
Wink said:
Whitewave,

I have enjoyed reading your thread. I have a friend who was in Brasil some years ago and going to visit a tourmaline mine. There had been torrential rains for two days before her visit and while looking out the passenger side window she saw something sparkle as they drove buy. She asked the driver to pull over and ran back to where she had seen the sparkle. It was a very large tourmaline specimen with some gem grade material.

When she got to the mine she proudly showed it to her host who asked her where she found it. When she asked the driver, it was determined that she was already on the mine property. She promptly turned it over to her host. She was then treated like royalty by her host.

I suspect that going after a large or long rain would indeed multiply your chances of finding a treasure.

Wink
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Wow for that story. Yes, the crater needs a very heavy rain, but no heavy rain is forecasted for the next 10 days... so...

We may have to dig a hole next time
 
I messaged Larry the other day to see how he is doing and if he found any more diamonds. He has not replied yet-- I assume he is passed out in his camper:mrgreen2:. I don't know how fit you would have to be do to 7 days in a row.
 
whitewave said:
@Wink @Winks_Elf you know if I find one large enough, I'm dying to know if Paul would consider cutting it :idea:
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What I know is that he may well be willing to do so. He generally does not like to accept outside diamonds for cutting for a large number of reasons, including compliance with Kimberley Accord requirements. Even buying from his regular sources, he rejects more than 100 starting crystals for each that he accepts to create a Crafted by Infinity diamond.

However, for an existing client with a well-documented find, I can see that he might. There would be many things that he would need to consider, such as is the diamond the right size and shape to consider cutting a CBI, is there internal strain that makes the risk of breakage too high, Is the size of the diamond big enough to make the cost of cutting a CBI acceptable? I am sure that Paul can think of many more. If, however, you are rewarded for your hard work with finding such a crystal, I certainly think it would be worth asking Paul about.

Wink
 
I have enjoyed following your adventures! Please keep posting, I hope you find something soon. :wavey:
 
I have enjoyed following your adventures! Please keep posting, I hope you find something soon. :wavey:
 
I have enjoyed following your adventures! Please keep posting, I hope you find something soon. :wavey:
 
Wink said:
What I know is that he may well be willing to do so. He generally does not like to accept outside diamonds for cutting for a large number of reasons, including compliance with Kimberley Accord requirements. Even buying from his regular sources, he rejects more than 100 starting crystals for each that he accepts to create a Crafted by Infinity diamond.

However, for an existing client with a well-documented find, I can see that he might. There would be many things that he would need to consider, such as is the diamond the right size and shape to consider cutting a CBI, is there internal strain that makes the risk of breakage too high, Is the size of the diamond big enough to make the cost of cutting a CBI acceptable? I am sure that Paul can think of many more. If, however, you are rewarded for your hard work with finding such a crystal, I certainly think it would be worth asking Paul about.

Wink
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Well, here's hoping we will have a need to find out those answers!!! :!::pray:
 
Agreed!

Wink of the hopeful crossed fingers...
 
Wink said:
Agreed!

Wink of the hopeful crossed fingers...
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Thanks. I like to dream big and speak things into existence.
 
Wow this is so fun, I think I am going to put this on my list of things to do.
 
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