Rekindling childhood gemhunting.

[Sandbagger]

G'day, Sandbagger from Canberra here.

I've just rediscovered the joy of sitting in a big dirt hole and scraping and sifting for gemstones. I had a crack at classifying at Grabben Gullen (not even a spinel), then went for a solo drive/camp for four days at Tingha, NSW and Inverell. I came back with half a bucket of quartz crystals, topaz, sapphire, garnet, zircon, rutilated and smokey.

Needless to say I have the bug again.

I first got it as a child in W.A, east of Perth. I was digging an underground cubbyhouse/tunnel, following a rabbit burrow. I was caught by the locals and instructed to destroy it and put the ground back the way it was. In doing so, I spotted a quartz crystal, perfectly clear and terminated. I went back several times and found small pieces, but as a kid I had no idea what to look for. Still, I loved the hunt.

Now, as an adult with several children and a full time job, I hardly have time to go anywhere and fossick.

I love crystals, even if worthless, as long as they are transparent, coloured or not.

Thinking about trying Wee Jasper one day, if I can find a buddy or get some decent directions/mudmaps or contacts.

SB.

[Jimnyjerry]

No need to travel alone. You could look at joining a Lapidary club and finding some people with the same interests.  As you seem to be looking at the Canberra area you might try the Canberra Lapidary Club.  A few members are also ALFers.    

[MrSydney]

As Jimnyjerry said Canberra Lapidary club looks pretty good from what I've seen.  Lots of knowledge and people you could organise a trip here and there with.  There are quite a lot of places from where you are being up in the great dividing range.