Greetings from the "other" West Coast!

[hand2mouthmining]

Hi, geo-enthusiasts!
                            First, a big thank you to Aussie Sapphires for sponsoring this very active forum. Their hard  work is much appreciated.

Hand-2-Mouth Mining is me (Kris) & my partner, Al, based in Fresno, CA, USA. Together, we mine many materials from the various mountains, deserts and streams of California. We're a first year mining concern, and are becoming known for our world class Davis Creek fancy sheen obsidian, and our exclusive new material, Blue G.

We have over 50 tons of various California Gem Rock, and will be showing off our great stone as much as we possibly can manage. We'll also be posting in the sales categories, as soon as we return from this weeks mining trip to Davis Creek.
Nestled in the cool pines of the Modoc National Forest, our "Black Hole" pit produces some of the worlds finest sheen & patterned fancy obsidian. A short 11 hour drive from Fresno, Davis Creek is 17 miles south of the Oregon border, and is both remote and comfortable. We'll be posting trip reports and photos, and look forward to sharing the best of this years mining with you all.


A slab of our Mahogany-Aurora Borealis fancy obsidian

A fine example of our top gem Blue G!


Obviously, we invite inquiries from lapidaries, rockhounds and geo-enthusiasts of all types! After all, the only real reason that miners sell their rock is so they can afford to mine more! We look forward to participating in this international forum, and are already keeping a towel handy as we view your photos! 

Best regards,
                   Kris Rowe
                   Hand-2-Mouth Mining
                   Fresno, CA, USA

[Rockman]

Welcome to the forum Kris and Al,
Love the obsidian. What more can you tell us about it?
Do you know what is causing the Aurora Borealis effect?

Cheers.

Rob.

[chookie2]

Welcome Kris & Al , WOW that is some Borealis effect.  How does it cut?

[Cainozoic]

Blue G? What is that? It looks almost identical to some chromite in serpentinite that I found at Coobina WA, I will post a pic when I get the chance,

Cheers,

Cain

[The Rock Hunter]

wow amazeing stuff  and welcome to the forum have a blast 

[Lord_Thunda]

Welcome Kris & Al 

That obsidian is stunning! Does it cut like other obsidians? It would make amazing cabs. I really need to get to the states to visit all these places one day 

Bob 

[chookie2]

That "blue G" has the look of lace agate does it not?

[hand2mouthmining]

Thanks for the rousing welcome, everyone!

We're currently going over the Donner Passheading for Reno, Nevada. The option of staying in a casino for the night breaks up the long trip. We'll see how the slot machines treat us tonight!

Now, answers to questions:

Blue G is our exclusive, new to the market material. The photo we posted is of one of our recent cuts, in top gem material. We’re currently waiting on x-ray diffraction and thin section results, and will post them to our website when they arrive.
We can say that it cuts like easy agate, and wears like jade. We mine it in the Panoche Hills of Central California, from alluvial deposits. The area is a geologically unique deep subduction zone, and produces many wild and wonderful stones. We'll post more photos when we get time.

Davis Creek fancy obsidian is the current world class in sheen obsidian. We're truly blessed to have found the gem vein that our pit accesses.
The sheen effects as well as the coloration in mahogany and other patterned obsidan is caused by micro crystalline iron and mangenese oxides, creating opalescent effects. If you can orient and cut opal, you'll have no problem with our obsidian.
Having cut opal for over 30 years, I am just as obsessed with our sheen obsidian! We're pleased to offer it at prices that allow even modestly heeled lapidaries to work with great gem rough.
Currently, we're mining in sizes up to and exceeding 25 pounds, allowing even sphere makers and sculptors to enjoy this lovely material. As always, we invite everyone to enjoy more photos at our website, www.hand2mouthmining.net We welcome your inquiries.

Again, our thanks!

Best regards,
                    Kris

[Lord_Thunda]

WOW Kris  Your website is awesome 
It never ceases to amaze me the hidden patterns in rocks. Those blues in the video are beautiful. I kept thinking of kitchen benchtops when I was looking at them  Just need to find money now to pay for them 

As for the obsidians ... damn so many colours & patterns  LOVE IT!!!!

[mehoose]

Hi Kris!
 chookie, the obsid looks bloomin awesome cabbed.

[chookie2]

Do we have something equivalent in Oz?

[Hunter V]

I notice you have free shipping on Box O' Sidian Tumbling Rough, "Mine Run"

What is the rough postage to australia for the AAA+ Grade Box O' Sidian Rough or is it free postage like the mine run box?
 

[mehoose]

LOL Hunter, don't reckon. Think it will come in one of their flat rate boxes, there's 3 sizes from memory and range up to bout 80 bucks postage. I say go for it. 

[chookie2]

Bad luck Rockhunter, the small print says free postage to USA only

[The Rock Hunter]

Bad luck Rockhunter, the small print says free postage to USA only

i thort you wore talking about me  the other guys name is hunter v