Quartzite – The Good, Bad and Ugly

Okay, here’s the thing of it…Quartzite definitely has a season…it starts on January 18th with the big Pow Wow and Gem Show.  Up until then, you are a tourist amongst a sea of vendors gearing up for the big show.  In other words…the real deals don’t kick in until then…or at least that was my experience.  Frankly, the prices were not all that fantastic.  Maybe I didn’t go to the right places…as a first timer that is a possibility.  I did venture in and out of tents and warehouses filled with rocks and minerals of every kind…not necessarily from around here.  I found that many of the vendors are not very knowledgeable about the rocks and minerals they are selling…most are in giant bins in their raw state.  I will say the selection is overwhelming.  Better go in there with exactly what you are looking for or you will surely go crazy.  So here are some pictures taken by my hubby, just to give you an idea of what it is like…This kind of set up is everywhere up and down the main drag.  Simply amazing!  I didn’t get much…well…because I am not a dealer and a simple seller’s permit does not get you the bit dealer discounts.  So I stood in awe of the magnificent collections that prospectors (who know what they are doing) have dug up and brought here to sell.  So I tried my hand at prospecting and went to the places where you can actually collect, according to Gem and Mineral Trails and Rockhounding Guides, like Palm Canyon and Cyrstal Hill.  Well, folks, we took our jeep out there and it was very disappointing and very picked over.  Frankly, I have done better in places that weren’t necessarily in a book or map. I found some weathered Chalcedony and some nice crystal quartz specimens, but nothing to write home about.  And then there’s camping…all you boondockers out there beware!  BLM property is everywhere, but it is leased out and you have to pay $40.00 to stay in long term visitors areas…which are everywhere and you can only stay up to 14 days…or you can stay longer for a higher fee.  There are no real amenities except dumpsters, port-a-potties here and there, and a place you have to drive 3 miles to in order to empty your tank and fill up with water.  Dry docking is also available at around $7.00 a day.  If you have a disabled pass or American the Beautiful Pass…sorry…it is not honored at those sites.  Live and learn!  Oh, and bring cash…dealers will only take cash and travelers checks.  Well, overall, I was disappointed.  Perhaps I needed to go when things really get going…but I hear it gets crazy and if I thought parking was a problem now, well, multiply that by 100…it’s nuts!  The Indian Fry Bread is great though!  

Quartzite

Rockhounding trip…first round.

Catching up

Hello…yes, I am still here!  I have been enjoying the holidays with my family in an RV park in San Diego.  The weather has been phenomenal…could have used a snow flake or two…:)

I have been productive though and have some photos of art work I have produced soon.  We are planning to hit the road Monday next and are headed to Quartzite, AZ.  Yes, more rock hounding and hopefully, a new stock of gems and minerals to use for making jewelry.  We are going to hit all the hot spots in Arizona…and there are many!  Looking forward to sending more photos of the beautiful scenery we plan to visit.