I've been visiting family in California this week. My wife sugested that my brother and I join her for a trip to this mine near San Diego (The only opperating mine in San Diego County I've been told) where we can sift through rocks and find gemstones. I figured that it was some sort of scam where all the good stuff had been removed already, but hey, I'm on vacation and it sounded like fun so why not?

My wife made the reservations and we were given directions to the mine. After a nice drive through the mountains we arrived right on time to find Lisa greeting folks and taking money at the bottom of the road. We drove up the road to the parking lot and found we were the third group to arrive. There were a couple of shipping containers set up showing products for sale, a nice covered area to eat lunch and relax, two very nice restrooms, and the main feature - a large gray pile of rocks sorrounded by tables where we could sift out the goods.

Peter directed us where to park and pointed out Jeff who gave us a table and told us there would be a demonstration on how to sift through the rocks shortly.

The demonstration consisted on the best way to get rocks from the pile into our buckets, then how to sift out the good stuff using 2 different sized screens.

They turned us loose on the pile and we were off. While people were digging, Jeff took four people at a time on a short 5 minute drive around the mining site. He pointed out a few interesting things and told me to google the Tourmaline Queen when I asked him for details on another mine. It wasn't exactly a National Geographic tour, but it was ok.

Back to the rocks, we spent about 4 hours digging. Lisa and Peter walked around helping people identify their finds. When Peter found a piece on the ground, he would subtly drop it in someone's sifter who looked like they weren't having much luck.

After speaking with Peter, I found out that the pile we were digging out of came directly from the mine. It had not already been sifted through as I had expected. Peter explained that the piles were the result of blasting from the mine. The rubble was removed and we got to go through it.

We had a great time. All three of us found some beautiful pieces. The customer service provided by Lisa and Peter was top notch. If you happen to be in the San Diego area and you have a day to burn, check it out.

Their website is www.digforgems.com. The name of the mine is the Oceanview Mine. All the info of what types of rock can be found is on their site. You can bring kids if you want, but I would suggest that they be at least 6 or 7ish.

I know this has nothing to do with kites, but I had a good time and just wanted to share the story.

-Mike

I live in upstate NY, and we have one of the only 2 sites in the world that forms double terminated Quartz crystals(having a point at both ends)in Herkimer, NY. It is also a commercial operation, but prospectors are allowed to pick and pound the tailings(for a fee) to find the crystals which form in pockets in the parent Dolomite material. When you crack a rock open and these "Herkimer Diamonds" roll out, you feel like a kid on Christmas!

Kiteline that is a great write up. Makes me want to head right out there and check it out.
Bob we have wanted to go to Herkimer for some time but never seem to get there. They both sound like a great family day.