Aussie Lapidary Forum
Fossicking and Rockhounding => Trip Talk => Topic started by: madhawk on December 16, 2013, 02:13:50 PM
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Hey all. I have been away from the forum for awhile, but since people still contact me for advice or trips in the Tumba area I thought I would jump back on here.
Well it's that time of the year again when the creeks are getting low enough and the weather warm enough to get back into the gems. So if anyone is heading this way over the summer period and you would like to catch up for a dig I am more than happy to show you a few spots around the area or any other advice you may be after.
Happy hunting
Andy
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Great offer Andy :)
Unfortunately I have to stick close to home in the summer. Besides that I would wilt in the heat. Now autumn, spring is OK .
How has the fossicking been down your way Andy?
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Hey jimmy the fossicking was good last summer and it's looking good this year as well. The best stones down here generally are dead centre of the creeks so summer and autumn are the only times the creeks are low enough and warm enough to work in. The best stone I got last year was a 2.8 ct blue/green sapphire. Nothing huge around these hills but there is the odd nice gem.
Andy
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Sounds good. Where about are you
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Just had a look at Google this sounds pretty good to me. Where is a nice place with air con that way.
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Hi XTMess. Tumbarumba is a small town of about 2500 people. But there are the usual places to get rooms or cabins. The pubs, caravan park, 2 motels and plenty of free camping spots as well. The gems here are usually small but we do get sapphires, zircons, garnets and even an odd ruby. Plus the creeks all hold a bit of fine gold as well.
Andy
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That sounds good. I'll look into it and will pm with the ddetails
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Best to get most things you need before coming to tumbarumba, while we do have an IGA, food works and a hardware their stock is limit. Plus the nearest decent town is wagga at 105km away. There is no fossicking gear for sale here anywhere. All you really need if you are chasing the gems and not gold is small sieves some prying ( I use a large flat head screwdriver) and digging tools, plus good gloves. Often the gravel has to be removed by hand from amongst granite boulders at arms depth underwater. I use a glove called tuff task which are a fairly solid black rubber glove, even then after a couple of days the finger tips start to wear out.
Andy
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Sounds like yabby pump country. 8)
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Hmmm, could be tempted to cross the border. ;)
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We could almost do a raid? Jamo beers
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I'll be in that peg
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Border protection alert! Calling all New South Welshmen & women. The Mexicans are coming, the Mexicans are coming. etc.
Chers,
colza
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Yes, we should probably repay the favor after letting them into our creeks!!! We should show those northerners how fossicking is done correctly! ;D
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If your tabby pump comes with an attached pry bar then it's perfect for the job. No easily won gems here unfortunately, but anyone is welcome to come n try and prove me wrong haha
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Hey we're probably gonna head up on the 20th does anyone else wanna cross the border with me.
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I will certainly be in for a dig plus show anyone who needs some guidance on where and how to retrieve these great little gems. I have some pics on my profile if anyone wants to know what these high country streams hold.
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Hi Madhawk, went up your way about five years ago, found a couple of small rubies and a couple of small sapphires in Paddys River, threw a couple of sapphires away (damn) didn't realise they were party's. Whats the temperature like up there at the moment. Ive been told about the Tooma Gravels by a retired Geologist mate of mine, have you ever done any digging around there.