u/GateskeeperX

I gathered a few boulders from a vein I’m following .I dug them out and sit on red clay was hundreds of small 5 points. I gathered 4 really good looking pieces that had vugs and really nice bigger 5 points of various colors. I struggled the last few months on whether to crush or cut.. I decided yesterday I’d take my time and chisel as if I was pealing an onion.. I’m just learning the mineralogy and for me, this was a perfect way to not only learn the mineralogy but how it was formed . It’s really been a good learning experience on my own.. Tedious but worth knowing.. I hadn’t chipped away at much of the underground vein because I really wanted to clean up on the only side I’ve exposed but also really pay attention to the formation and colors. I’d love some feedback if anyone has any. Geographical location/ Mother load vein / Mariposa CA

Best regards
E

Excavated out of my little mine chasing a quartz vein . Location, Bear Creek Mariposa CA.
I’m actually going to attempt to saw cut strategically taking my time to dissect in hopes of learning and discovering the beauty of what actually could be inside.. I might be disappointed through the process..

[removed]

I’m following a quartz vein on my place ( mostly for fun ) . It’s located on Bear Creek , Mariposa . I have dug and found some awesome vugs but my question is, should I strategically dissect or saw cut or would it be better to market uncut? FYI. It’s an extremely highly mineralized vein and have worked several ounces out of an 10’ run ( pinch-Swell ). Anyone have advice?

I recently purchased an 80 acre spot bordering Bear creek to run cattle on. I didn’t have a fascination for gold but more so of the 1849 history and honesty before that! The whole gold rush deal I wished I could step back in time!! Anyway, I had a few weeks off of work so I decided to dry pan on top of a giant hill on my place.. creeks on both sides of it.. I found bullets , most hand poured with the center ring , and a few square nails I’m guessing from horse shoes..
So now I opened up a mine
following a quartz vein by hand.
I’ve dug about 3’ down and hit bedrock,3’wide is slate on both walls. The quarts is kinda brittle but busted out in chunks until it hit red clay, then grey clay wet and bedrock. Anyway.. I found a ton of clear crystal 6 points . I’ve learned some of the mineral is heavy but don’t really know until I crush rock. Any advice would be much appreciated! FYI.. I’m mining by hand until the veins payoff..